DANVILLE, Va. – Coming off a weekend series sweep, the Carolina University baseball team was back in action Tuesday, February 24, traveling to Averett University for a midweek doubleheader. The Bruins battled across two competitive contests, taking Game 1 before falling in Game 2 to earn a split on the day.
Game 1 – Carolina 7, Averett 5
Carolina opened the afternoon with a strong offensive showing, collecting 10 hits and using timely run production to secure a 7–5 victory.
The Bruins struck first in the second inning when RBI singles from Ty Vespe and Peyton Banks plated two runs. Carolina extended its lead in the third, highlighted by a three-run home run from Andres Hoyos that pushed the advantage to 5–1.
Averett chipped away across the middle innings, but the Bruins continued to respond. Hoyos delivered again in the fifth with an RBI double, and added insurance in the seventh with an RBI single to cap a five-RBI performance.
On the mound, Matthew Kelley earned the win, working four innings with three strikeouts. The bullpen combination of Alex Prevost and Ray Collada bridged the game before Abraham Leal closed the door to record the save.
Game 2 – Averett 7, Carolina 3
In the second game, Averett answered back to salvage the split, defeating the Bruins 7–3.
After two scoreless innings, Carolina got on the board in the third with a solo home run from Chandler Smithart.
Averett responded with a decisive third inning, scoring four runs to take control, then added another run in the fifth to build separation. Despite Carolina pushing across runs in the fifth and seventh innings, the Bruins could not close the gap.
Smithart led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Ty Vespe added a hit and scored a run. Carolina finished with five hits in the contest.
From the Dugout – Associate Head Coach Logan Conklin
"Overall, it was a competitive day for us coming off the momentum of the weekend sweep," said Associate Head Coach Logan Conklin. "We did a great job setting the tone in Game 1 with timely hitting and bullpen execution. In Game 2, we had opportunities but couldn't capitalize consistently. Midweek games like this help us grow, and we'll use the split to refocus as we head back into our next stretch."
Carolina returns to action looking to carry forward the momentum built over the past week as they host Wheeling University this weekend at Mando Field.
