DANVILLE, Va. – The Southern Virginia University Baseball team (7-5) increased its winning streak to five following a rally in the final two innings of Tuesday's contest that propelled the Knights past the Cougars of Averett (3-10-1).

The two starting pitchers couldn't have asked for a better opening inning for their respective teams, not allowing a single hit and recording three-up, three-down portions.

The top of the second was eerily similar for the Southern Virginia offense, with two flyouts and a strikeout. Averett, however, opened the inning with a single. The following batter was walked, putting runners on first and second. A Brandt Brophy single to left field brought in Chris Byrd from second, giving the Cougars an early lead. A strikeout by Owen Smiley and then a groundout got the Knights out of a bind.

Southern Virginia tied the game with two outs in the top of the third. Jackson Massey was hit by a pitch and stole second to get into scoring position. He reached home following a Will Parker double down the left-field line.

Following a double play, Averett tallied three straight singles in their portion of the inning, with the third bringing in Preston Robbins to restore the one-run lead.

The pitchers were again successful in the fourth inning, registering four total strikeouts—two apiece—and no hits.

The Cougars added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, tallying another run after Nick Romano reached home following a Brophy single to right field.  

Neither team could get back on the scoreboard until the top of the eighth when the Knights rattled off four runs to take the lead. The rally started with back-to-back singles by Nick Daynes and Mitch Smith. The two would advance on a wild pitch, putting them in scoring position. With two outs, Stockton Hall stepped up to the plate and smashed a clutch hit through the left side, scoring Daynes and Smith to even the score at three. The scoring, however, didn't end there, with Hall reaching home following a Benjamin Horsley rocket to right field. Massey would then single to left center, bringing in Horsley from third, making the score 5-3.

Averett would cut the deficit to just one in their portion of the inning, adding a run after Kyle Wilson led off with a triple and reached the plate on a Tyler Wilson single.

Southern Virginia stayed hot in the final inning, adding three runs to push the advantage to four. A Smith double down the right field line opened the scoring, sending Parker home. Daynes would reach the plate following a Dylan Boyce single to left center. Smith closed out the scoring, adding a run after a Robert Stempin single.

Will Parker registered his third save of the season, pitching one and one-third innings while not allowing a hit.

Southern Virginia will now prepare for USA South conference play, with the first of a three-game series against Brevard on Friday, Mar. 17.

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