WINCHESTER, Va. - Visiting Averett University overcame an unassisted triple play Sunday afternoon to down host Shenandoah University 2-1 in USA South Conference baseball action.

Shenandoah (5-4, 1-3 USA South) got an unassisted triple play from freshman Drue Vernon in the fourth inning, but Averett (21-5, 2-2) made a pair of seventh-inning runs hold up.

SU answered the Cougars two runs with one of its own in the bottom of the seventh off of AU starter Ahmed Shelton (5-0), but Shelton was able to get out of further damage by retiring Daniel Ziccardy on a pop fly to short.

In the ninth, Hornets sophomore Scott Lambert doubled with one out, but was stranded as Shelton closed out the game by inducing a pop out and a line out to right.

Shelton allowed the one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three.

His offensive teammates sent junior Taylor DuFrene (1-2) down to his second straight defeat by getting two runs (one unearned) on eight hits and five walks. DuFrene did strike out six.

AU scored its only two runs when Jake Loye doubled to right center to start the frame and scored on Eric Sibrizzi's double to left center. One batter later, Sibrizzi scored what proved to be the game-winning run as he advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and came around to score when the ensuing throw on the sacrifice sailed over SU first baseman Adam Duckett's head.

Lambert led the hosts offensively with a 2-for-4 afternoon. Designated hitter Pierce Steinruck and centerfielder Jeremiah McMillian were also 2-for-4 for Averett.

The fourth inning triple play occurred when Loye hit a bases loaded three-hopper to Vernon, who was playing just inside third base. Vernon fielded the ball right next to the bag, tagged runner Justin Brown out in one motion and then tagged Larry Mothershead between second and third base. Vernon completed the play by stepping on second to force the runner from first. 

Box Score 

Shenandoah is back in action tomorrow at 3:00 in a non-league game against College Misericordia. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00.