Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg's baseball team came back from a seven-run deficit to top Averett University 11-9 on Wednesday afternoon in a game that saw sophomore Avery Neaves drive in seven of the Hornets' 11 runs.

The Hornets (2-2) started off strong in the home half of the first as senior Parker Shaffer led off the bottom of the inning with a first-pitch single to right field. Junior Cameron Lane then reached on a fielder's choice and junior Garrett Jackson brought Lane around on a two-run home run to left center giving the Hornets an early 2-0 lead. 

The Hornets' lead did not last long as the Cougars (0-1) put up five runs in the second and then followed that with four more runs in the third to go ahead 9-2 as the game headed into the home half of the third inning. 

In the third, after Lynchburg's first three hitters reached base to start the inning, Jackson reached on an infield single and drove home junior Jackson Harding. Neaves stepped into the box with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam to get the Hornets within two.

Following his grand slam in the third, Neaves came up to the plate with the bases loaded again in the fourth and promptly cleared them with a three-run triple, putting the Hornets ahead 10-9 and completing the comeback. 

Lynchburg's bullpen shut down the Averett offense after the fourth inning as four Hornet pitchers combined to allow only two hits for the remainder of the game. Grayson Thurman threw two perfect innings to close it out as the righty fanned each of the six Averett hitters he faced. 

Lynchburg baseball will be back in action on Saturday, February 27 as the Hornets travel to William Peace University to take on the Pacers in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon. 

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--LYN--