DANVILLE, Va. - No. 21/RV Shenandoah University opened its 2012 USA South Conference baseball slate with a 13-1 victory over Averett University Saturday afternoon.

Shenandoah (5-2, 1-0 USA South) combined a 14-hit attack along with a dominant pitching performance from junior Vince Claudio to take out the Cougars (7-3, 0-1).

Claudio (2-0) struck out 11 and allowed just one run on six hits and two walks in 7.0 innings. He turned it over to senior Bryce Sears for the eighth, and Sears recorded the final three outs of the contest.

The game ended after eight innings due to the USA South Conference mercy rule.

SU got all of the offense it would need for Claudio with two runs in the first.

Kurt Krout led off with a single to center and advanced to second when Joey Donofrio beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt for a hit.

The two advanced on a fielder's choice with Krout scoring on the play as Averett committed the first of its four errors on the afternoon by throwing the ball away at first base.

Dan Powers then drew a bases loaded walk to plate Donofrio with eventual game-winning run.

The Hornets added two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, two in the seventh and sixth in the eighth to provide the final margin of victory.

Senior Jake Pendergraft led the offense with a 4 for 5 afternoon while Nick Beall had three hits and both Donofrio and freshman Corbin Lucas two each.

Seven of nine starters had at least one hit.

These two teams complete their weekend series with a 1:00 contest Sunday.