WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Averett University softball powered its way to a doubleheader sweep over Salem College on Saturday, winning 14-3 in Game 1 and 12-3 in Game 2. 

In the opener, the Cougars (3-1) scored three runs in the first inning over the Spirits (1-3) and added eight more across the fourth and fifth frames to secure a run-rule victory, finishing with 16 hits. Junior Mackenzie Newcomb led the way with a 3-for-4 outing and four RBIs, while freshman Kennidy Kirby scored three times and drove in two runs.

Senior Kailey Gates added three hits, including a triple and a double, and fellow senior Hannah Zabik earned the win after allowing just one hit over four innings.

Averett stayed hot in game two, jumping ahead with four runs in the first inning and breaking the game open with a four-run fourth that featured a two-run double from Kirby and a two-run homer by Newcomb. The Cougars tacked on three more runs in the fifth to seal the sweep, totaling 13 hits in the nightcap. 

Newcomb again starred with three hits and five RBIs, Kirby went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three runs scored, and junior Carson Bradsher collected three hits from the lead off spot. 

Freshman Delano Straughan picked up the win in the circle, tossing 4.1 innings before junior Kaci Stephenson closed out the final outs as Averett combined for 26 runs on 29 hits across the two victories. 

The Cougars are back on the road Wednesday when they travel to Raleigh, N.C. for a doubleheader against William Peace University beginning at 1 p.m.