RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett University softball opened play at the Triangle Softball Classic with an 8-1 win over University of Mary Washington on Saturday before losing 3-2 to New York University to finish the day at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.
Averett (7-5) began the day with a victory over Mary Washington (3-9). Although the Eagles scored on an RBI double in the top of the first, the Cougars quickly countered in the bottom of the inning with RBI singles from sophomore
Kadence Woodlief and freshman Briana Brooks to go up 2-1.
After junior
Hannah Zabik and sophomore
Mackenzie Newcomb pushed the lead to 4-1 with consecutive RBI singles in the second inning, the Cougars pulled away in the third. Averett put together a four-run frame, including a two-run single up the middle.
With the offense clicking, Zabik kept Mary Washington off the scoreboard the rest of the way while earning the win.
Sophomore
Carson Bradsher went 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while Brooks went 3-for-4. Zabik, Newcomb and Woodlief each added two hits in the win.
Averett jumped on NYU (1-2) early in the Cougars' second game of the day. Newcomb gave Averett a 1-0 lead in the first with her RBI double to left-center, and Bradsher's RBI double to left-center gave the Cougars a two-run advantage in the top of the second.
The Violets stormed back in the bottom of the second, getting two RBI singles to tie the game. Averett's defense kept it a tie game thanks to a strong defensive play on the first RBI single where the Cougars threw out a runner at the plate.
NYU broke the tie in the fourth with an RBI single up the middle to go in front 3-2.
Averett had several opportunities to go back in front but left nine runners on base, including six over the final three innings. The Cougars got the tying run to third in the top of the seventh but couldn't get a timely hit as NYU got out of the jam to earn its first win of the season.
Bradsher went 3-for-4 in the second game, while Newcomb and senior
Hannah Jones each had two hits. Sophomore
Kaci Stephenson took the loss despite a good outing, scattering seven hits over six innings while allowing three runs.
Averett returns to action on Sunday when the Cougars return to the Triangle Classic for games with No. 19 Muskingum University and Piedmont University beginning at noon.
