(Demorest) – The Piedmont College softball team saw its 2019 season come to an end with a 5-4 loss in eight innings to Emory in the NCAA Demorest Regional Championship Game on Monday afternoon.
The Lady Lions (31-12) rallied from three runs down after the third inning to tie the score at 4-4 in the top of the seventh, but Emory answered back to win the game and the regional on Cassie Baca’s walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth.
After not recording a hit through the first six innings of yesterday’s matchup, Piedmont struck for a single run in the first as Rebekah Stegmayer reached on an infield single and came around to score on a fielder’s choice.
However, Emory answered back with three runs on four hits in the first inning, chasing Piedmont starter Melissa Eckman From the game. Right-hander Madison Whiteside entered and left the bases loaded to help PC escape with only three runs allowed.
The Lady Lions began to chip away at their deficit with single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.
Trailing 4-3 in the top of the seventh, Stegmayer legged out another infield hit. Kennison followed by laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt as Stegmayer raced to third and eventually scored the tying run after a throwing error by the Emory first baseman.
Piedmont put two runners on in the top of the eighth, but Katlyn Andrin Was thrown out trying to steal home to end the threat.
That set the stage for the Eagles, who leaded the bases on a walk and two singles before Baca lined the first pitch she saw into right field for the game winner.
The loss ends Piedmont’s season with a 31-12 record and just one win short of advancing to its first ever NCAA Super Regional.
Photo by Dale Zanine
