Ferrum Rolls Past Averett, 10-2

BURLINGTON , NC – In game five of the USA South Conference Tournament, the Panthers of Ferrum College defeated the Averett University Cougars by a 10-2 final. The Panthers remain undefeated, while the Cougars will move to the elimination bracket on Saturday.

The Panthers (19-15) started the scoring off early, putting two runs up in the first inning, and another three in the second. In the first, Daniel Heatwole drew a walk, moved to second on a passed ball, and then scored on a Matt Gammon single up the middle. Gammon scored later in the inning on a John Sain single, giving Ferrum the lead 2-0.

In the second inning, the Panthers loaded the bases after Nick Baker singled, Eric Harrell reached on an error, and Jesse Fuller reached on a botched fielder's choice that put nobody out. Brent Sowers then hit another fielder's choice that scored Baker, Heatwole hit a sacrifice fly that scored Harrell, and the Sowers scored on a balk by Averett pitcher Jon Walker.

The Cougars (31-11) finally put a run on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Justin Brown hit a long double to right-center, and then scored on a double by Larry Mothershead, bringing the score to 5-1.

The pitching for both sides cruised through the next few innings with no runs allowed, however in the eighth Ferrum posted another 4 runs, brining the total to 10-1. Gammon started things off with a double, followed by an RBI single by Sain. Cougar pitcher Walker hit a batter, and then was relieved by Travis Reynolds. After the substitution, Harrell singled to load the bases, and Fuller reached on an error by the Cougars that scored two runs. The final run of the inning was from a Sowers RBI fielder's choice.

In the bottom of the ninth the Cougars attempted a late rally, but the gap was too much to close. A single by Justin Brown and two walks loaded the bases for the Cougars with no outs. However Jake Loye grounded into a double-play that scored Brown. Jeremiah McMillan followed by flying out to center field, to end the game with the score 10-1.

The Cougars will face an elimination game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against an opponent that has not yet been determined. Ferrum will face Methodist on Saturday at 12 p.m., with a spot in the tournament championship on the line.

Box Score

Averett's Jeremiah McMillan is tagged out at the plate that completed a double play. McMillan finished 2-for-4.

Ferrum's Lincoln Garner tossed a complete-game to pick up the win. He allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five.