In the rubber match of the three-game series the Piedmont College baseball team defeated visiting Averett University at Loudermilk Field this afternoon by the score of 16-5. The Lions pounded out 16 hits and scored in five of the eight offensive innings en route to victory.

After the Cougars scored a single run to open the game Piedmont answered with three runs on four consecutive hits capped by a JUSTIN VORHERR RBI-single. The Lions then tacked on four runs in the second and two in the fourth to take a commanding 9-1 lead.

AU cut into the deficit with a pair of runs on three hits in the sixth but saw the home team notch two insurance runs in the seventh as ZAC STEIN and ZACH KUNZ knocked in single runs. After another two runs in the top of the eighth Piedmont put the game away with five runs in the bottom half as four different players drove in runs.

The run support was more than enough for starter ANDY GRAF who went seven and a third innings allowing five earned runs on seven hits while striking out four. The win moves the senior to 5-0 on the season and marked his 19th career victory, breaking the Piedmont College NCAA Division-III era mark for wins in a career.

Fellow senior Vorherr led the offensive explosion going 5-5 with three runs scored and four RBI's. Stein posted a 2-3 performance with four runs batted in while ANDREW MIGETZ and DANIEL RIVERA chipped-in with a pair of hits respectively.

The win moves Piedmont to 12-10 overall. The men will return to action on Thursday, March 26th as they host Centre College at Loudermilk Field under the lights at 7:00.