ROCKY MOUNT, NC- The NC Wesleyan College softball team scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 6th to edge the visiting Cougars of Averett University (Va.) 2-1 in the first game of their conference doubleheader on Sunday.

In the first game, Wesleyan was again led by sophomore pitcher/1B Beth Braswell as she threw 7 one-run innings allowing just 3 hits while walking three and striking out 11 to improve to 8-2 on the season with 68 Ks. She also scored the game-winning run in the 6th on a Kayla Molivas RBI single. Braswell had originally began that inning with a leadoff single as well.

Wesleyan scored their first run of the game in the 2nd on sophomore 1B Bryona Knight's RBI single that scored pinch-runner Chelsea Nixon. 

NCWC 8, AVERETT 4

The Lady Bishops then rallied in game two putting a five spot up in the 5th inning after trailing 4-3 to put the game away. RBI singles from Braswell and sophomore DH Meredith Smith gave Wesleyan the lead in game two. Sophomore catcher Summer Phillips then smacked the big blow with a 3-run double to stake the Bishops to the 8-4 lead and eventual win. Freshman 3B Brianna Myers also had a solid game collecting 3 hits while scoring a run on the day and making quality defensive plays at third.

Wesleyan got on the board first in game two with a huge 3-run play from sophomore SS Meredith Mize in the 2nd inning. With runners at 2nd and 3rd, Mize hit a tough shot to the Averett third basemen who threw wildly to first allowing two runs to score. Mize then raced around the bases forcing another wild throw from the first basemen as she slid into third. Mize then came home on the error to make it 3-0 Bishops.

A three-run home from Averett in the 5th then forced the Lady Bishops to rally with their big five-run inning to clinch the win. Senior pitcher Shelby Godwin got her sixth win of the year throwing 7 clutch innings allowng 7 hits and 4 runs (2 earned) on 3 walks and 10 strikeouts.

The Bishops have now won 12 straight games to improve to 8-0 in the conference and 14-5 overall. Averett falls to 17-10 and 2-4 in the USA South.

Wesleyan is back in action on Wednesday with a 2 PM conference DH at Salem College.