Atlanta, GA – The Piedmont College baseball team traveled to Oglethorpe University tonight for the non-conference matchup. The night was paused and slowed by rain delays, but the Stormy Petrels would take the win in the bottom of the ninth 7-6.
The Lions quickly leaped out to a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. Senior Keith Grabowski led the Lions offensively finishing the night a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI.
The first of his RBI came in the top of the second that saw three different Lions hit a double. Daniel Lindsey led off the two-baggers and was knocked in by a Grabowski double.
Grabowski later scored on a Will Skidmore double and his only RBI of the night. The Lions would stay on the gas pedal in the top of the third as Austin Brick reached on a fielder’s choice and picked up his sole RBI of the day scoring Evan Gresham.
Carsey Parahm would wear a pitch to bring home Breck Davidson who finished the night 2-for-4. Grabowski then hit a sacrifice fly to score Tyler Marcinko for his second RBI of the night and make the score 5-0.
The Stormy Petrels responded with six runs of their own in the bottom of the third and fourth to give them a one-run advantage heading into the fifth inning 6-5.
The Stormy Petrels relied on their extra-base hits blasting two homeruns in the third for all four of their runs that inning, and the two extra runs where the weather had other plans for both teams.
After an hour and six-minute delay, the game resumed in the bottom of the fourth. Both teams would remain scoreless until the Lions tied the ballgame in the top of the seventh on a Grabowski single to score Lindsey making the score 6-6.
Alex Astin made his second start of the season on the mound for the Lions throwing 3.2 innings on five hits and six runs with a strikeout. However, senior Matt Stephens marked his fourth straight appearance without conceding an earned run.
Stephens threw 2.1 innings tonight giving up only three hits and striking out three. Allen Tokarz pitched the final innings for the Lions going 2.2 innings on four hits and three strikeouts with one run.
Tokarz moves to 2-4 on the season, but the junior still leads the USA South Athletic Conference in ERA with a 2.05 showing. He also leads the Lions with his 39 strikeouts and has only allowed a .192 batting average from opposing hitters, which is second lowest on the team.
The Stormy Petrels picked up the walk-off win on a double to centerfield in the bottom of the ninth to take their second victory over the Lions this season. The Lions fall to 19-14 overall while Oglethorpe improves to 24-11 on the season.
Up next for the Lions will be their last USA South conference series against Greensboro College. The two teams are set for game one on Friday, April 17 at 1 p.m. at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, NC. Game two will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in Zebulon, NC at Five County Stadium, and Sunday at 12 p.m. once again in Fleming Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to visit PiedmontLions.com to stay current with all baseball information and schedule results and changes.
