The Mary Baldwin baseball team fell 10-9 in the first game of a three-game series at Averett University this weekend.

Averett (6-17, 4-6 USA South) came out hot putting up six runs in the first inning.

In the top of the second, Tucker Hensley grounded out to second but was able to score Dylan Rankin from third to put MBU (0-10, 0-6 USA South) on the board.

A two out rally in the third got the Fighting Squirrels back in the game. It started with Dylan Rankin clearing the bases with a three RBI double.  Jared Mayhew then hit a double that scored Rankin and made it a one run game.

After the Cougars put up three more in the bottom of the third, Jakob King answered back that next inning with a two RBI double.

In the sixth, Hensley reached out a fielder's choice that scored Kessler from third and made it a 9-8 game.

AU tacked on one more in the sixth as they expanded their lead to two.

In the ninth, King reached on a fielder's choice that scored Michael Barber as the Fighting Squirrels pulled within one at 10-9.

MBU's rally fell just short as a strikeout ended the game with two runners in scoring position.

Despite the loss, the Fighting Squirrels' nine runs marked a season-high. They also tied their season-high hits with 11.  

King finished the day with three hits and three RBIs while Rankin had two hits and three RBIs.

Joseph Castrilli provided solid relief on the mound, as the freshman gave up just one run and three hits and struck out two in three innings of work.

The series will conclude with a doubleheader slated for Sunday at noon.