DANVILLE, Va.- The Randolph softball team traveled to Averett to face the Cougars in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. AU took both games winning 4-3 in eight innings and 8-1 in the second game.

The Cougars had two runners on in the first inning with no outs recorded. After a fly out, a fielder's choice got the runner out at third base. Another fielder's choice got another out at third to end the scoring threat.

In the Randolph second inning, Diane Mahiai (Chesapeake, Va./Salem) walked to lead off. After Chloe Persinger (Buena Vista, Va./Parry McCluer) flied out, Kayla Love (League City, Texas/Tallwood) was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second base. Lacey Lucado's (Buchanan, Va./James River) groundout moved the runner up. Lexi Hawkins (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian) then singled to left center to score two runs and give the 'Cats a 2-0 lead.

Averett scored a pair of runs in their portion of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Randolph took the lead in the sixth 3-2. The Cougars responded with its own run to tie the game once again.

In the eighth inning with Love placed on second base, Lucado's sac bunt moved her to third. Randolph couldn't get the run home as Hawkins and Taylor Friess (Goode, Va./Liberty HS) both struck out to end the inning. In the Cougar eighth with a runner on second, Emily Fugate moved to third on a sac bunt. Elena Lewis hit a fly ball to right field but Fugate would be tagged out at home. The winning run came as Karsin Lee scored on a fielding error by Delaney Nuckols (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry).

Jenna St. John (Concord, Va./Appomattox) went four innings in the circle and gave up two unearned runs on six hits.  Danielle Shannon (Greenville, Va./Riverheads) came in for 3 2/3 innings. She allowed two unearned runs on two hits. She walked one.

Dominique Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) went 2-for-3. Mahiai was 2-for-2 with a run scored. Love batted 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Hawkins finished 1-for-3 with two RBI. Nuckols went 1-for-4 and stole a base.

Averett got out to a 5-0 lead in the second game. Randolph's lone run came in the fifth inning on a Mahiai RBI single. The Cougars added three more runs in the bottom portion of the inning to pull away.

Shannon got the start in Game 2. She pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits. She walked one and struck out one batter. Persinger came in for 2 1/3 innings. She surrendered three unearned runs on three hits. She walked two and struck out one.

Irving went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Friess was also 3-for-4. Mahiai batted 2-for-4 with a RBI. Hawkins. Lucado, and Lexie Lama (Benson, N.C./West Johnson) both were 1-for-3.

Randolph returns to conference play on Saturday as they host Eastern Mennonite. The first game of the doubleheader begins at 2:00 p.m.