Demorest, GA – After spending the first three weeks of the season on the road, the Lady Lion softball team made their home debut Saturday dropping two games to William Peace University including a close 8-6 loss in the opener.
Piedmont had not been in action since last Sunday after having a pair of doubleheaders postponed during the week as they split their last outing with Ferrum.
Game 1: William Peace 8, Piedmont 6
A five-run top of the third put the Pacers on top en route to an 8-6 victory over the Lady Lions. Becka Ross led the way for Piedmont as she was 3-for-4 in the game with 3 RBI and a run scored. Sarah Walker took the loss after pitching two innings giving up 8 hits and 7 runs, all earned.
William Peace was able to get rolling early with back-to-back singles to open the game and both runs were driven in on the third hit of the inning, a single by Brandi Stamey as they led 2-0 after the first half inning. Piedmont answered back with a single run after Allyson Gentry reached on an error, stole second and scored on a double by Abby Smith.
The Lady Lions added three runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead 4-2 including two of Ross’ RBI as the freshman drove in seniors Abby Atkinson and Whitney Wolfe.
The third inning was the game-changer as the Pacers scored five runs on five hits and forced Piedmont into a pitching change as Avery Migues stepped in on the mound. She ended the game having pitched five innings giving up six hits, a single run and recorded two strikeouts.
Piedmont had a late rally in the seventh inning as they pushed two runs across on three hits in the 8-6 loss, but it was not quite enough.
Game 2: William Peace 9, Piedmont 3
The game appeared to be all Lady Lions until it came down to the final three outs which proved to be elusive as the Pacers scored nine runs in the top of the seventh to steal away a 9-3 win. Abby Smith led the way going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Sarah Walker was charged with the loss after replacing starter Avery Migues in the final frame.
Piedmont jumped out to a 3-0 lead after scoring once in the second inning and twice more in the third in what was a relatively quiet game with only four combined hits over the next three innings.
However, when the Pacers stepped up to bat in the seventh inning with the game on the line, they stepped up to the challenge. William Peace led off with three straight singles bringing around the first run to score making it 3-1.
Avery Migues was replaced by Sarah Walker who only pitched one out after giving up three walks and being charged with four runs. The Lady Lions would use two more pitchers in the inning with Kristina Coggins getting the final two outs on one walk and one hit batter.
Piedmont was unable to respond as they sent just four batters to the plate in the seventh inning, seeing a total of eight pitches.
The Lady Lions will be right back at it Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader against Methodist University scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. As always, home action will be provided on the Mane Event Broadcasting Network throughPiedmontLions.com.
