CNU Tops Cougars

DANVILLE, Va. - Christopher Newport University took advantage of 12 hits and a pair of Cougar errors in defeating the Averett University baseball team by a 6-3 final Sunday at Owen-Fulton Field.

CNU (12-7, 8-4 USA South) scored a pair of runs in the first inning and added a run in the third for an early 3-0 lead. CNU's Dave Deibler homered in the sixth and a run in the seventh stretched the Averett (12-15, 5-7 USA South) deficit to 5-0. However, the Cougars would mount a rally.

In the bottom of the seventh junior catcher J.T. Hyler led off the frame with a single to center. T.J. Bray, a freshman right fielder for the Cougars, followed with a lined hit that cleared the right field wall. His two-run shot cut the deficit to 5-2, but Averett was not done.

Mike Cassidy drew a walk to give the Cougars a base runner and he advanced to second on a Chris England groundout. Eddie Guessford then blasted a double to centerfield to score Cassidy, which made the score 5-3. Unfortunately for the Cougars they were unable to add another, while the Captains scored an eighth inning run for the final 6-3 margin.

Averett accounted for only five hits, two of those coming from the bat of Bray. Vondell Johnson joined Bray, Hyler, and Guessford as the only Cougars with base hits. Eight runners were left on base for Averett.

Steven Mingee earned the win for the Captains, allowing two runs in six innings of work.

The Cougars return to action on Monday when they travel to Lynchburg College to face the Hornets at 3:00 p.m.

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