Box Score

Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College baseball team hung on for their fifth Great South Athletic Conference victory of the season earlier today despite a scary ninth inning that saw the visiting LaGrange Panthers pull to within a score of a tie ball game.  The Lions led 10-3 heading into the top of the final inning until LaGrange posted a half dozen runs closing to within a score with runners on the corner, but Piedmont was able to fight off the rally for the one-run decision.

The Lions led throughout today's contest scoring in five of their eight frames at the plate including the first three innings where Piedmont put up single run efforts claiming a 3-1 lead.  After Kyle Davis led off the game with a triple, the outfielder was sent home courtesy of a Tate Koons sacrifice fly for a 1-0 PC advantage.

The margin grew to two in the second when Dave Bartek perfectly laid down a sacrifice bunt for Ethan Miers to get home safely. Though the Panthers put a run on the board in the top of the third, Koons once again had a impact scoring on a LaGrange error to extend Piedmont's lead back to two at 3-1.

Piedmont's four-run fourth then put the Lions comfortably ahead 7-1 as Koons picked up his second RBI of the day while first baseman Kevin D'Antignac, designated hitter Kevin McConnell, and third baseman Ethan Miers all picked up RBI hits in the inning. 

LaGrange would add a pair of single-run innings over the next two to try to get back in it, but Piedmont responded with a three-spot in the sixth pushing the score to 10-3 and seemingly out of reach.  Centerfielder Dave Bartek's two RBI single and a run batted in from Davis made up the Piedmont scoring in what would turn out to be a key three-run sixth.

Those three scores proved valuable when the Panthers surprisingly challenged the lead in their final chance at the plate.  The Lions led 10-3 heading into the top of the ninth only to see LaGrange come out to score five runs including a three-run homer with two outs on the board to make the score 10-8 with Piedmont clinging to its smallest lead since the the third inning.

Closer Matt Collins was called upon to finish off the Panthers following those five scores, but even he would give up a run to the rallying visitors as LaGrange pulled to within one of a tie ball game with runners on the corners.  Tapping into his wealth of experience, the senior pitcher calmed the nerves of the fans at Loudermilk Field by catching the next Panther batter looking at strike three to pick up his eighth save of the year and end the game at 10-9 Piedmont.

Though a late scare threatened the work of starter Caleb Cochran, the junior claimed his second win of the season and first in conference play.  The Americus native went five and a third allowing three earned runs on just five hits walking three while fanning four on the day.

The victory gives Piedmont a fourth consecutive 20-win season at 20-12 and moves the team to 4-1 in GSAC action.  Getting help from the Hawks of Huntingdon who took down unbeaten Maryville earlier this afternoon, the Lions also pull into a tie for first place in the GSAC stadnings with the Scots as both squads are 4-1 in league play.

Piedmont will go for the sweep of the defending confernce champion Panthers tomorrow afternoon at Loudermilk Field where the Lions are 13-4 in 2011.  First pitch for the April 10 afternoon contest is set for 2:00.