DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University baseball won its two-game series against Washington and Lee University to jump to a 4-0 conference record, ending a long losing streak in the process.

Averett (11-3, 4-0 ODAC) won its first games against Washington and Lee (5-7, 1-6 ODAC) in eight years as the Cougars swept the Generals in a quick two-game series: 5-4 and 9-0.

After freshman Ean Amerson got the ball rolling with two strikeouts in the top half of the inning, Averett's offense opened up an early lead. Senior Kevin Zischke and sophomore Drew Skinner hit back to back singles, graduate student Nolan Maccabe worked a walk, and the bases were loaded in no time for the Cougars. Senior Preston Robbins kept the small ball attack rolling with a single through the middle of the infield to score two runs and push the Cougars ahead. 

Amerson stayed hot, working his way out of trouble in the second and adding a couple more punch outs to his tally in the next few innings. Sophomore Jack Turner flashed his leather at first base, robbing the Generals of sure extra bases and keeping a goose egg on the scoreboard after three innings. A litany of errors from the visitors, paired with a sacrifice fly from Zischke, allowed Averett to extend its lead to 4-0. 

Two more strikeouts, including a thrilling strike him out throw him out double play, kept Washington and Lee quiet in the fourth inning. The Generals' pitching locked things down and kept Averett's offense in check for the rest of the game, leaving the final score in the hands of the Cougars' defense. With Amerson's quality start finished, Averett turned to sophomore Will Green II and freshman Corbin Mickle to eat some innings. The duo kept Washington and Lee at bay, before coach Kenny Fleming handed the ball to senior Jake Braun for a six-out save, with Averett ahead by just one run. Braun delivered expertly. After being serenaded by 'Wild Thing' the Cougars' closer put on his best Rick Vaughn impersonation, allowing no hits and striking out three Generals as Averett slammed the door shut to secure the Game 1 victory, 5-4. 

Senior Cole McLain took the ball to start Game 2 for the Cougars and delivered a gem. McLain pitched an efficient six innings, allowing no runs and just six hits, while punching out six Generals' batters. McLain set the tone throughout his time on the mound, and his teammates made sure to keep the energy until the end. Junior Tim Schware, sophomore Jack Turner, and freshmen Maddox Warren and Cade Sabin combined to keep Washington and Lee out of the score column, earning the Cougars their first shutout since a 2022 victory over the University of Lynchburg.

While pitching took the spotlight, the Cougars' lineup heated up in Game 2. Things kicked off immediately for Averett, with none other than the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's reigning player of the week Zischke, belting a triple to the wall in left center in Averett's first at bat of the game. Maccabe hammered a double to nearly the same spot in the outfield, and the Cougars had all the runs the team would need for the win. Unfortunately for the Generals, Averett kept piling on. 

Lowe placed a ball down the right field line to score another run in the first, and Averett was off to the races. Redshirt sophomore Trevor Testerman joined the party with a sharp single up the middle to score a run. Robbins added another double to his season tally to score again for the home side in the second inning. Once more Robbins singled, displaying his ability to hit to all fields, en route to his third RBI of the game. Testerman striped a ball over the head of Washington and Lee's center fielder and left a trail of scorched earth behind him as he sped into third base for a triple. Maccabe knocked a single into the left field grass, stole a base, and came around to score on a wild pitch, all in the blink of an eye, as Averett's lead ballooned to the final score of 9-0.

Averett's wins over Washington and Lee mark their first triumphs over the Generals since 2017, 16 straight games. In doing so the Cougars also surpass their season win total from the 2024 campaign. Averett's 11-3 start is the teams best since 2013, when the Cougars opened the gates to a tremendous 15-3 tear. There is no Heartache Medication necessary for these Cougars, as the team rides the high of a six-game win streak.

Averett is back to it as the Cougars host William Peace University for midweek action. The Pacers pay a visit to Owen-Fulton Field at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Read Full Article