SALEM, Va. – Sophomore pitcher Nicole DeFilippo (Forest, Va.) threw a four-hit complete game shutout to lead Averett University past Castleton, 3-0, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Moyer Complex in Salem, Virginia.

The Cougars improve to 11-5 overall on the season. The Spartans fall to 0-2.

DeFilippo earned her sixth win (6-3) punching out five batters while allowing zero walks. On the afternoon, DeFilippo recorded eight groundball outs and six fly outs.

Offensively for Averett, sophomore third baseman Brooke Hensley (Mayodan, N.C.) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run while second baseman Leah Gibson (Belmont, N.C.) knocked in one run going 1-for-3 at the plate. Sophomore left fielder Lauren Daniel (Halifax, Va.) notched the only multi-hit game of the contest with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate and one run scored.

For Castleton, sophomore pitcher Emily Sweeney (Weare, N.H.) took the loss on six innings pitched, allowing seven hits, three runs (all earned), one walk and one strikeout.

Shortstop Megan Blongy (Rutland, Vt.), second baseman Mercedes Maltbie (Warrensburg, N.Y.), third baseman Shannon Jipner (Bristol, Vt.) and designated player Julie Benzenberg (Pine Bush, N.Y.) each collected a hit for the Spartans.