Box Score

Jackson, MS - A pitchers' duel fell in Piedmont's favor as senior Caleb Cochran tossed a gem, going seven strong innings, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk while striking out a dozen in the 3-1 win.  Junior Dale Bartek notched the go-ahead RBI fielder's choice in the fourth to break a 1-1 tie.  Both starting pitchers had a rough start, surrendering a run in the first frame.

Senior Kevin D'Antignac doubled with two out in the first, and was brought home on senior Curtis Cornett's single up the middle to give No. 24 Piedmont the early 1-0 advantage.  Millsaps responded in the bottom of the first frame with a two-out RBI single off Cochran, who had hit the second batter he faced.  The senior was lights out for the next two innings, striking out five straight hitters, including all three in the second and the first pair in the third.  In fact, Cochran was in dominant form, not allowing another base runner until the seventh inning.

Piedmont had a golden opportunity to break the game wide open in the fourth when loading the bases on two walks and a hit-batsman.  Bartek grounded into a fielder's choice with one out to get a run home, but A pair of flyouts ended the threat.  Senior Kyle Davis led off the fifth with a base hit, then swiped second and third base before D'Antignac came through with a sac fly to left to scratch across an insurance run.

Senior Ed Cook came on to close his second game in as many days, recording his first save of the season, allowing one hit in two innings of work, fanning three hitters.  The Lions move to 2-0 on the young season and return to action February 17-19 in the inaugural Coke, Georgia Division-III Challenge at Coolray Field, home of the Gwinnett Braves.  The men take on Oglethorpe, Emory and LaGrange in the three-day tournament.