DANVILLE, VA -- The Pacers opened up conference play against Averett University Sunday afternoon splitting the doubleheader 1-1.

In game one the Pacers proved their defense was strong enough to hold off the Cougars. The Cougars left 7 players on throughout the game thanks to heads up plays by the Pacers. The third inning was big for the Pacers as a walk put Jordan Criswell on first. Following that at bat, Kelsey Durham hits a double to left field scoring Jordan Criswell. A sacrifice bunt by Courtney Barbour moves Kelsey Durham to third, placing her in great scoring position. Jordan Mangum hit a single up the middle to score Kelsey Durham. A wild pitch sent Jordan Mangum to second, and she was able to score after a single through the left side of the field was hit by senior, Lindsey Wiggins.

The Cougars would make a run at the score after key at bats from J. Long, K. Aherron, A. Grant, N. Cauthen would score 2 after 6 innings of play. Courtney Barbour would score one final run after a single to left field from Lindsey Wiggins and the Pacers wrapped up the game with a final score of 4-2.

"It always seems when we play Averett University, they're very exciting ball games," explained Head Coach Charlie Dobbins. "Game one was a hard fought defensive battle, Kelsey Durham was dominating in the circle and it was a true team win."

Game two was one for the books. Kelsey Durham started on the mound again for the Pacers and had an impressive game. The cougars got on the scoreboard first in the first inning scoring 3 runs but were quickly answered in the top of the second as a single from Jordan Criswell gave WPU a runner in position to score. A fielding error on Averett advanced Criswell to third. Criswell would steal home and put the Pacers on the board, 1-3. A double from Lindsey Wiggins would score one more before the end of the second inning. After two innings, the Pacers trailed the Cougars 2-3.

The game came alive in the top of the 5th. With the Pacers down 2-4 to the Cougars,  Lindsey Wiggins hits a single up the middle to get the bats going. Heather McLean gets on base after a Cougar fielding error. McLean is thrown out at second off a hit from Kelsey Durham to third base. With runners on first and third, Kacy Haithcock knocks in two with a triple to right center, tying the game at 4-4. After a AU strikeout, WPU's Criswell and Barbour are walked, loading the bases with two outs. Averett walks two more, scoring two more for the Pacers. Senior, Lindsey Wiggins hits a double to left center, scoring three more .Heather McLean would hit a double to right field, scoring Wiggins before being thrown out at third, giving an end to the inning. After Pacers with a huge inning scoring 8. After that at bat, the Pacers were up 10-6. The Cougars decided to answer in the following innings scoring six unanswered runs as the Pacers headed into the top of the seventh.

WPU would rally in the top of the seventh with Courtney Barbour hitting a single to center field, Madison Tucker with a base hit to second, and Jordan Mangum with a base hit to third. The Cougars would finish the game with those bases loaded as strong defense kept the Pacers from advancing their runners. The Cougars took game two with a final of 10-12.

"Game two was a slug fest. Both teams fought back from substantial deficits," Coach Charlie Dobbins described after the second game. "It was great to see our bats finally break out. We have got some work to do on the defensive side but [we] look forward to our next conference games when we finally come home next Saturday."

The Pacers are now 9-9 overall and 1-1 in conference play. They will face Virginia Wesleyan College in a non-conference double header this Tuesday, March 7 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Norfolk, VA.

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