For immediate release – 2/20/2014 - #206
LC Softball Opens 2014 Season with Split against Averett

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Lynchburg College softball team opened its 2014 season Thursday with a split of a non-conference doubleheader against visiting Averett University, dropping the first game 7-4 and taking the second contest 10-4.

LC got on the scoreboard first in the opener, as Jessi Hall was plated on an RBI groundout from Melanie Tenney. Averett tied the score in the second on a home run from Rhyan Scearce, but LC took a 3-1 edge with two runs in the third. With two outs, Averett committed an error to extend the inning, and Lynchburg later capitalized with a two-run single from Danielle Powell. Averett scored five runs in the next three innings to take a 6-3 lead in the sixth inning. Powell homered in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 6-4, but Averett added an insurance run in the seventh inning and earned the three-run win.

Mary Beth Smith claimed the victory in the circle for the Cougars, tossing seven innings of five-hit ball with five strikeouts and only two earned runs. Emily Dunford went 3-3 for AU with two doubles and four RBI and Jessye Crews also had three hits. Powell was 2-3 with three RBI for LC.

Averett scored three times in the top of the first inning of the nightcap, fueled by a Jessica Long two-run triple. The Hornets quickly answered back with five of their own in the bottom of the frame behind a grand slam from Skylar Seals. After a single Averett run in the third, LC countered with two additional runs in the inning. Melanie Tenney doubled and scored on an RBI single from Powell, and Powell later crossed the plate on a Seals base hit. Lynchburg added three runs combined in the fifth and sixth frames, two coming on a Tenney double in the sixth.

Hornet Amber Ingram settled down after the first inning for the complete-game victory. She scattered eight hits and a walk while striking out six. Tenney had three hits in the second contest with two doubles, and Seals finished 2-2 with five RBI. Taylor Dix and Hall each had two hits for Averett (3-3).

Lynchburg (1-1) hosts Methodist University Sunday for another non-conference doubleheader at 1 p.m.

###