DANVILLE, VA — Nick Richmond tossed seven strong innings and Bryan Kowalski hit a 3-run home run to lead the Falcons (11-4) to an 8-2 victory over Averett (5-14) in the opener of a three-game series.

Richmond allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out seven in his seven innings of work. The sophomore allowed two runs to pick up his third win of the season.

Making his first career start at third base, Kyler Fairchild went 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Kowalski finished 2-for-5 with two runs and the 3-run bomb.

Damon Smith put the Falcons on the board with an RBI groundout to score Chaston Gordon in the top of the second.

Averett evened the score with a tally in the bottom of the third before Pfeiffer erupted for four runs in the top of the fifth. Xavier Rodriguez started the rally with a leadoff walk and Jordan Eckard followed with a single. After Kirby Lambert was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Christian Marciano plated Rodriguez with a sac fly. Kowalski followed with a shot over the left field fence to put Pfeiffer up 5-1.

Pfeiffer added a pair in the top of the seventh on an RBI from Fairchild and a run-scoring wild pitch.

The advantage swelled to 8-2 when Derek Perry drove in Gordon with a groundout to short.

Gordon finished the game with three runs scored and went 2-for-3 at the dish. In total, the 6-7-8 hitters in the Falcon lineup went 8-for-13 with five runs scored and four RBI.

The Falcons and Cougars wrap up the three-game set with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 11 a.m.