The Virginia Wesleyan University baseball team (12-12, 3-6 ODAC) struck first but could not keep pace late, falling 7-1 to Averett.

The Marlins offense was led by Marcell Whitfield who went 2-for-4, Darius Walston was 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Nathan Bryant was 1-for-4 with a double, and scored a run. 

Chase Depalma started on the mound for VWU, pitched 5.0 innings, allowed three hits, two runs, and recorded six strikeouts. 

The Marlins broke through in the fourth inning to take an early lead. After a one-out double to center by Nathan Bryant, Darius Walston delivered with a single through the left side, bringing Bryant home for a 1-0 advantage.

Averett evened the score in the fifth inning with an RBI double, then took control in the sixth. A two-run single pushed the Cougars ahead 3-1, shifting momentum the rest of the way.

Virginia Wesleyan threatened in the sixth after back-to-back singles from Valentin and Whitfield, but the Marlins were unable to capitalize, leaving runners stranded. That proved to be a turning point as Averett continued to build its lead late.

The Cougars added another run in the seventh before breaking the game open in the eighth, capitalizing on a mix of hit batters and an error to score three more runs.