Danville, Va. -- Lynchburg College's baseball team earned head coach Lucas Jones his first victory Sunday afternoon, an 8-3 win just down U.S. Route 29 at Averett.

Lynchburg's leadoff hitter, junior shortstop Thomas Powell (Stanardsville, Va.) set the tone for the Hornets, going 4-for-4 on the day with a double, a hit-by-pitch, and two runs scored. Sophomore left fielder Shawn Allen (Columbus, N.J.) and senior right fielder Will Harris (Halifax, Va.) each had multi-hit days for LC as well.

Senior first baseman Matt Ward (Newton, N.C.) had a four-RBI day at the plate for the Hornets.

Junior left-hander Matt Kane (Fernandina Beach, Fla.) earned his first-career win with a scoreless relief outing.

THE RUNDOWN

Final: Lynchburg 8, Averett 3

Records: Lynchburg 1-1, Averett 1-5

Venue: Owen-Fulton Field, Averett University North Campus, Danville, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

- Averett drew first blood with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning, but Lynchburg responded with a pair of third-inning runs to tie the game. Ward's sacrifice fly and a RBI groundout from senior center fielder Brad Hylton (Danville, Va.) did the trick.

- Lynchburg took control with a five-run fourth-inning outburst. Powell struck first with an RBI double that sent freshman second baseman Parker Shaffer (Richmond, Va.) in to score. Ward then delivered a bases-loaded triple, and Hylton followed that with a single to bring Ward in to score.

- Averett cut the lead to 7-3 in the fifth, but Lynchburg relief pitching got the job done the rest of the way home. Sophomore southpaw Nick Norman (Goochland, Va.) struck out the side in his scoreless sixth inning, and senior righty David Goulding (Lynchburg, Va.) earned a three-inning save with his second scoreless outing of the year.

- Lynchburg tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on a Cougars' error.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Hornets will make their 2018 debut on Fox Field on Saturday, Feb. 24 against the Dolphins of Mount Saint Vincent. The doubleheader will commence at noon.

--LC--