VIRGINIA BEACH -- Austin Gammon exemplified what kind of dayit was for Virginia Wesleyan College's baseball Marlins in a 19-5 non-conference loss to Averett University's Cougars at Marlins Field.

The talented rookie from North Chesterfield (Lloyd C. Bird) started the game at first base, took over pitching duties in the fourth inning for 2.2 innings, moved to third base in the sixth, and ended up where he started, at first in the seventh.

He wasn't the only one, however.  VWC's coaches tried different combinations in the field and called eight pitchers to the mound, all in an attempt to stop Averett (6-9) and spark the Marlins (3-11).

It worked in some innings, but not enough to generate a rally for the Marlins who fell behind early to a team they defeated 5-1 earlier this season.  Averett avenged that loss by posting six runs in the first two innings and posting at least one run in six of seven innings, including a five-run seventh.

Virginia Wesleyan connected for 11 hits, highlighted by a double each from senior Brett Sutryk (Bath, N.Y./Haverling), junior Cameron Young (Atlanta, Ga./Dunwoody), and rookie Chris Gilliam (Mechanicsville/Hanover).  Sophomore Zach Bach (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox)and Sutryk led Marlin hitting with two hits each.

Cody Moore (Yorktown/Grafton) led Averett with a 6-of-7 showing at the plate, including a double. The Cougars belted 21 hits overall, with four batters connecting for three or more hits.

Rookie Jake Miner (Kingman, Ariz./Kingman Academy) started on the mound for Virginia Wesleyan and pitched the first inning before senior Brooks Kirby (Warwickshire, England/Cobham) entered.  Six additional pitchers took the mound after that.  Gammon had the longest stint, working 2.2 innings and facing 18 batters.  He struck out four, walked two, and gave up six hits and five earned runs.

Averett used four pitchers, led by Timothy Coston (Knightdale, N.C./Knightdale) who posted the win.  He pitched six innings, striking out four batters, walking one, and surrendering nine hits and two earned runs.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Wednesday, March 12, hosting New Hampshire's Rivier University Raiders at 3 p.m. at Marlins Field.

--AMDG--