DANVILLE, VA (March 29, 2006)—Averett University scored a 5-3 victory over Hampden-Sydney Wednesday at AU’s Owen-Fulton Field.  With the win the Cougars improve to 10-19 on the year while the Tigers fall to 12-11. 

Averett opened a 5-0 lead after three innings against the Tigers as Shannon Short doubled to drive in two runs in the first inning, then drove in a third run as part of a three-run third inning.  Matt Fitzgerald and Matt Shelton also had RBI’s in the third as the Cougars chased Tiger starter Brock Ward (Lanexa, VA/New Kent), who gave up all five runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three. 

Senior first baseman Tommy Burk (Leesburg, VA/Loudoun County) drove in the Tigers’ first run of the game in the sixth inning, while sophomore third baseman Josh Michael (Front Royal, VA/Warren County) drove in two runs with a ninth-inning double, but it was not enough to complete the Hampden-Sydney rally. 

Ward took the loss for the Tigers, while Averett starter Matt Slaughter got the win after working five and one-third innings and allowing one run on two hits while walking two and striking out one. 

Hampden-Sydney returns to the diamond Saturday, April 1, when the Tigers host Guilford College in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference doubleheader starting at 12 pm at Yank Bernier Field.