DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University softball found itself in a bit of déjà vu in the bottom of the seventh in Game 2 against Greensboro College. In Game 1, Averett trailed 4-3 with the tying run at third in the last inning, but the Cougars failed to get the runner home for a one-run loss.
Averett didn't let it happen a second time. Junior
Hannah Zabik scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch, and freshman
Brianna Brooks drove in sophomore
Kadence Woodlief moments later with a walk-off, RBI single to right-center to lift the Cougars to a 5-4 win over Greensboro in Game 2 to earn a non-conference split Wednesday at Cougar Field.
After falling short in Game 1, the Cougars' offense struck first in Game 2 as freshman
Brianna Brooks smacked a two-run single to right-center to put Averett (2-2) up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Averett added to its lead in the third on sophomore
Mackenzie Newcomb's RBI single to extend Averett's advantage to 3-0.
Greensboro (4-4) answered with an RBI single in the top of the fourth to get within 3-1. The Pride had its opportunity to try to tie the game in the top of the sixth with a two-out rally. Greensboro closed within 3-2 with a bloop RBI single to right-center, which moved the tying run to third. With runners on the corners, the Pride sent the runner to second, but the runner at third wandered off the back too far and she was back-picked by senior catcher
Hannah Jones for the final out of the frame to help keep the Averett lead intact.
However, that lead didn't hold up. Greensboro tied the game 3-3 with a one-out, RBI single, which moved the go-ahead runner to third. Averett inched closer to getting out of the situation without further damage thanks to an outstanding defensive play by Jones behind the plate. The Pride attempted to lay down a bunt, but Jones' cat-like reflexes allowed her to dive out in front to make the catch for the second out. Unfortunately, Greensboro managed to take the lead on a delayed double steal minutes later to go in front 4-3.
Down by one entering the bottom of the seventh, Averett didn't fold. Zabik reached on an infield single and moved to second on the errant throw to first. She then alertly moved to third on a foul-out to the catcher. After Woodlief drew a walk, a wild pitch brought Zabik home to tie the game and moved Woodlief to second. That's when Brooks played the hero and hit a line drive just over the second baseman's glove to give the Averett the 5-4 win.
Zabik finished with a 3-for-4 day in Game 2, while Brooks and Jones each had two hits. Junior
Sarah Lysohir earned the win in relief after coming in during the top of the seventh.
In the opener, Averett nearly completed the comeback in the later innings. Down 4-1 in the sixth inning, Averett got one run back when Zabik scored on a sacrifice fly down the left field line in foul territory, and Newcomb eventually came home on Brooks' RBI single to left to pull the Cougars within 4-3.
After holding Greensboro off the scoreboard in the top of the seventh, Averett threatened to tie in the bottom half of the seventh. The Cougars got the tying run to third base with two outs, but Averett induced a hard grounder back to the pitcher for the final out to hold on.
All of Greensboro's runs in Game 1 came in the first inning. A pair of walks to lead off the inning coupled with timely hits gave the Pride the early lead. Averett got one run back in the bottom of the first on Woodlief's RBI double to left to score sophomore
Carson Bradsher to cut Greensboro's lead to 4-1.
The Cougars settled down, allowing just one hit by Greensboro after the first inning to help give Averett a chance to try to catch up late.
Averett travels to Meredith College on Saturday for a 1 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.
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