Box Score 

Millington, TN -- The Piedmont College baseball team announced their presence at the 2011 NCAA South Regional Tournament with a bang earlier this evening defeating fourth seeded Salisbury University by a final score of 10-1.  The third seeded Lions used a six spot in the sixth and a brilliant eight-inning performance from sophomore starting pitcher Kevin Caldwell to score their second ever win in NCAA postseason play. 

After a quiet two innings to start tonight's contest, it was Salisbury who struck first with a run in the top of the third taking a 1-0 lead over the Lions.  However, that score which represented the only run on the board for Salisbury on the evening would not hold up long as Piedmont tied the game up at 1-1 with a Josh Bailey RBI single in the bottom half of the inning. 

Caldwell then retired the side in the top of the fourth to keep the ballgame at one a piece giving his team a chance to snatch their first lead of the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth.  The Lions answered their starter's request with one better boarding two scores with one coming on a throwing error by the Seagull pitcher and another on a grounder to short. 

Taking a 3-1 lead after four, Piedmont would stretch out its lead beyond the reach of their opponent with a seven-run sixth that saw the side bat around the order.  Getting it started was Dave Bartek who picked up his first hit of the night on a RBI double that put catcher Garrett Lovelace across home safely as six different Lions picked up RBI hits in the frame. 

That 10-1 margin was more than enough for the sophomore Caldwell who went eight strong for his ninth win of the season and first in NCAA postseason play.  In his first national tournament start, the youngster was lights out allowing just a single run on five hits while fanning eight to just three walks issued on the evening. 

Senior Chris Haggard finished off the night for PC on the mound coming in to retire three of the four batters he saw in the ninth as the veteran has now held the opposition without a hit in three of his last four appearances out of the pen.

Hitting for average at the plate yet again was GSAC Player of the Year Kyle Davis who went four for five with a RBI and a run scored.  Senior John Duke also had a good showing recording three straight hits after two strikeouts to begin the night moving his average in NCAA postseason to an even .500 when counting his five for 11 performance in the 2008 regional.

Picking up a pair of RBIs and runs scored was veteran Curtis Cornett who went two for five at the plate while newcomer Josh Bailey also went two for five in his first NCAA action.  Designated hitter Kevin McConnell was .500 on the night blasting a RBI double in the left center gap during Piedmont's seven-run sixth.  

The Lions move to 31-13 overall just three wins shy of the 34 wins posted in the 2008 season which is the best total in Piedmont's NCAA era.  With the win, the Lions move on to the winner's bracket to face second seeded Shenandoah University who also holds the #3 spot in the latest ABCA national poll.  That match-up is set to begin at 8:00 EST with full coverage being provided on the touranment website.