Maryville College fell in their first USA South Conference games to Averett University, as the Cougars took the two contests, 10-2 and 6-4 in Danville, Va.
The Scots were led by a four-RBI effort from Kalyn Jones that featured a three-run blast during the day's second game.
Maryville (1-7, 0-2 USAS) got on the board first during the series opener. Caitlyn Hogg drew a walk for the Scots during the top of the second, as Megan Mihaliak reached on a throwing error. Kalyn Jones singled up the middle, scoring Hogg from third to give Maryville a 1-0 lead.
However, the Cougars struck back, taking a 3-1 advantage during the bottom of the inning. Jessica Long had a two-RBI single down the left field line, while Mary Beth Smith had an RBI in the inning as well.
Averett took a 7-1 lead out of the fourth inning behind another heavy-hitting strick. Taylor Dix had an RBI double to left center, while Smith picked up her third RBI of the game with a two-run shot to left-center. Emily Dunford singled to center for the innings third run, as she scored Laura Young.
Averett hung another run during the bottom of the fifth, before Mihaliak single through the right side to score Hogg.
The Cougars (10-0-1, 2-0 USAS) earned the win, however, with back-to-back homers by Smith and Young during the bottom of the sixth for the final score, 10-2.
The Scots were led by Mihaliak who finished 1-of-1 with an RBI, a sacrifice and a walk. Hogg was 0-for-1 with two run scored and two walks for Maryville.
Averett saw Smith lead the way with a 3-for-3 outing that featured two homers, two runs scored and four RBIs.
In the second game of the evening, Averett began the scoring in the bottom of the first. Jessica Long homered to left field, before an RBI single by Smith gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead. Dix scored on a fielder's choice for a 3-0 score.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Dix used an RBI double to center to score Long, giving Averett a 4-0 lead. Griffin and Long each added RBIs in the bottom of the fifth, as the Cougars led 6-0 over the Scots late.
Jones put the Scots on the board in the top of the sixth, after Tiffany Brand and Hogg each singled to get aboard. Jones used a three-run homer to left-center to start the Scots' rally late.
Brand singled to center in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Cydnee Morrisette for a 6-4 final score in the game.
Jones was 1-for-3 in the game with a three-RBI home run, while Brand finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Long led the Cougars with a 3-for-3 outing that featured two RBIs and two runs scored. Mackenzie Barrett was also 2-for-2 with a run scored for Averett.
Maryville – having battled weather all season – will have their home opener tomorrow, Sunday, March 8, in a double header against Mary Baldwin College. First pitch is set for noon.
