SALEM, Va. — Averett University softball split two close games on Saturday at the ODAC softball tournament, falling to Bridgewater College before coming back to win in extra innings against Shenandoah University later in the day. With today's results, the Cougars advance to the pod two finals.
In the first game, Averett (26-17)Â fell behind early and could not recover in a 3-1 loss to Bridgewater (28-14)
Bridgewater took control in the third inning with a solo home run and added two more runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 3-0. Averett was held in check for most of the game and was limited to just five hits. The Cougars got on the board in the sixth inning when freshman Kennidy Kirby hit a solo home run to left field, cutting the score to 3-1. Kirby led the offense, going 2-for-3 with the team's only RBI.
Senior Hannah Zabik started in the circle and took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in 3.1 innings. Freshman Cora Liggon came in and kept the game close, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief.
Averett came back strong in Game 2, beating Shenandoah (30-11)Â 7-6 in eight innings with big hits late in the game.
The Cougars scored first in the opening inning, but the Hornets answered with three runs right after to take the lead. Averett stayed quiet until the sixth inning when the offense came alive. Down 3-1, Averett scored five runs in the sixth inning. The big moment came when junior Mackenzie Newcomb hit a grand slam to give the Cougars a 6-3 lead. Newcomb finished the game with five RBIs, leading the team's 14 hits.
Shenandoah tied the game with three runs in the seventh inning to make it 6-6 and force extra innings. In the eighth, Newcomb came through again with an RBI double to score Zabik and give Averett a 7-6 lead.
Liggon closed out the game in the bottom of the eighth and earned the win after pitching 1.2 scoreless innings. Junior Kaci Stephenson also helped by pitching 5.2 innings earlier in the game.
At the plate, Kirby had two hits and scored two runs, while Zabik went 3-for-3. Seniors Kadence Woodlief and Kailey Gates also had multiple hits as Averett had strong hitting throughout the lineup.
Averett rematches Bridgewater in the pod two finals Sunday at noon, where they will need to win two straight games to advance to the championship series.Â
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