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Box Score 2 DANVILLE, Va. - The #25 Averett Cougars shut down the Meredith College offense to sweep the Angels 8-1, 12-0 in a pair of five-inning games Saturday. Maria Annunziata led off the USA South doubleheader with a solo home run, but Meredith recorded just two more hits on the day.
The nationally ranked Cougars posted a pair of five-run innings en route to today's sweep. Mary Beth Smith allowed just two hits with seven strikeouts in her 11th win, and teammate Jessica Griffin allowed no hits through four innings to record the win in the nightcap for AU.
In game one Sarah Watson advanced on a single to center, and Kayla North earned a single up the middle in the fifth inning of game two as the only additional hits for Meredith in 10 innings played. Taylor Jackson recorded both losses on the day with 4.1 innings pitched. She allowed eight hits with six strikeouts and seven walks. Amanda White appeared in both games of the doubleheader with 3.4 innings pitched. White allowed eight hits with four strikeouts and seven base on balls.
With Annunziata's RBI on the board in the first inning, the Cougars evened the score in the bottom of the frame. But the Cougar pitching and defense held Meredith to three-up-three-down during the next three innings to keep the Avenging Angels at bay.
Down 7-1 heading into the fifth, Eran Artigues advanced on a walk. Courtney Saunders reached on a fielder's choice, as Artigues was retired on the play. Watson advanced Saunders with her single, and Erica Occena loaded the bases on a walk. But AU's Smith recorded her seventh strikeout on the day to strand all three runners for the eventual early win.
The Cougar bats continued to strike in game two as AU scored nine runs during the first two innings. Three more runs left the Angels down 12-0 heading into the top of five.
With one out on the board, North hit a single up the middle. But Averett's defense ended the game on the next play to finish the sweep.
Meredith hosts William Peace Sunday afternoon in a USA South doubleheader. The Avenging Angels designated the day as a Strike Out ALS event and ask fans to wear red in support of the effort. Donations will be collected throughout the games with collections to benefit Pete Frates #3 Fund. Link HERE for more details.
