DANVILLE, Va. – Ross Jackson’s two-run single keyed Averett University’s four-run fifth inning and sent the Cougars to a 6-5 baseball win over visiting Guilford College Sunday.
Guilford jumped out to a 2-0 lead on RBI first-inning doubles by Josh Shepherd and Andrew Brann before Averett tied the game with single tallies in the second and third innings.
The Cougars (2-3) broke the tie in the fifth inning after a leadoff single and two walks loaded the bases with one out. A Jacob Roberts’ throwing error on Kyle Vidano’s ground ball allowed two runs to score. Chase Shuford relieved starter Chase Mitchell on the mound and Jackson greeted the Quakers’ reliever with a single through the left side that plated two runs and opened a 6-2 Averett edge.
The Quakers answered with a three-run sixth inning that included RBI hits by Joe Metts and Grayson Tuttle, but reliever Chris Campbell left the bases loaded with Averett’s lead intact.
Kyle Walsh, who homered in the second inning and had two hits, picked up a save with two scoreless innings to end the game. Joshua Hatcher scattered nine hits and fanned five in five innings for his first win of the year.
Rocco Wilcox had a game-high three hits for the Quakers, who outhit the home team, 12-9. Roberts, Shepherd and Tuttle each had two hits apiece. Mitchell (1-1) struck out a career-high six batters in 4.1 innings, but was touched for six runs, five of which were earned. Shuford threw 3.2 shutout innings with four strikeouts in relief.
Coach Nick Black’s Quakers (4-4) are slated to host Methodist University Tuesday (2/23) at 2:30 p.m.
R H E
Guilford 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 12 1
Averett 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 X 6 9 0
Start: 1 pm Duration: 3:05 Attendance: 57
Weather: Cloudy