HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-The Hampden-Sydney baseball team kicked off the 2011 season on the right foot taking both games of its double header with Averett University. The Tigers overcame deficits in both games, winning the first 5-1 and the second 5-3.

Averett was quick to score, as leadoff man Adam Higgins scored in the first inning on a Jordan Kidd RBI. Sophomore starting pitcher Dan Nicoll (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton) was then able to pitch his way out of the inning.

Though Hampden-Sydney did not respond in the second, the Tigers were able to score two runs in the third inning on Jordan Wind (Tappahannock, VA/Essex) and Chris Martin (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester) RBI.

Nicoll did his part, allowing no runs and just one hit in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Hampden-Sydney's offense then struck again in the bottom of the fifth. Martin was able to score after reaching on a double. Freshman Colby Carter (Manakin-Sabot, VA/Goochland) knocked Martin home with an RBI single to take a 3-1 lead.

After Luke Rabiej (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton) pitched a scoreless inning, Martin ripped a two RBI triple that scored Drew Walker (Midlothian, VA/Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot) and Ryan Carter (Chester, VA/Thomas Dale).

Freshman closer Kyle McKay (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) closed out the seventh, the Tigers secured the win and moved on to the second game.

Averett was again the first to strike in the second game, scoring two runs in the first inning. Starting pitcher Mike Blanchard (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) shut down the Cougar bats over the next two innings, however, allowing just one hit. The Tiger offense was also being shut down, earning just one hit in the first three innings of action.

Averett struck again in the fourth, but the Tigers were able to get on the board in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Colby Carter was walked, and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Zeb Cope (Advance, NC/Davie County) hit an RBI single to score the freshman from second.

Hampden-Sydney then exploded to the tune of four runs in the fifth inning. Herbie Williams (Danville, VA/George Washington) was the first to score on a Patrick Kuhns (Stafford, VA/North Stafford) RBI. Kuhns and Ryan Carter later scored on a Hunter Lewis (Newport News, VA/Menchville) two-out, two-RBI single. Dalton Renick (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) came in to pinch run, and he was brought around by a Colby Carter double.

With the 5-3 lead, Rabiej and McKay were able to close it out for the win.

In the first game, Martin was 3-4 with a double, triple, run and three RBI.

Hampden-Sydney returns to action Sunday, February 6 as they host Ferrum College. The game is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm.