Box Score

Demorest, GA - For the second straight game against visiting Centre College, the Lions fell behind 3-0 after the first half inning, but rallied for a 12-5 win Monday night at Loudermilk Field.  No. 7 Piedmont recorded three consecutive bases-loaded walks in the second to come back to take a 4-3 lead they wouldn't completely lose.  Matt Lisk was haunted by a pair of costly errors in the opening inning and lacked control, lasting just three full innings before being lifted in the fourth for freshman Chris Goershel.

Two sacrifice bunts that the Colonels laid down in the first were meant to move runners over, but the Lions mishandled both attempts, leading to two of the three Centre runs.  Josh Bailey and Curtis Cornett notched back-to-back doubles to bridge the gap to 3-1.  The big inning for Piedmont came in the second, as they put up a big crooked number on the board to take the lead, thanks in large part to patience at the plate.  After three straight singles to load the bases, senior Kyle Davis, sophomore Bailey and senior Cornett all brought in runs with free passes before senior Kevin D'Antignac launched a frozen rope right at the second baseman, who caught Bailey off for an inning-ending double play.

The Colonels pestered Lisk in the third frame, tying the game on a wild pitch after the sophomore hurler walked a pair and hit a batter to fill the bags.  He then buckled down to strike the eighth hitter out looking.  Lisk and Centre's starter struggled with command throughout their time on the mound, as the Lions' pitcher allowed four walks and hit the one batter.  Centre's starter similarly surrendered five walks and gave up nine hits on the night through four-plus innings.  Lisk walked his first two hitters in the fourth, although the former was thrown out attempting to steal before the second walk was issued.  Goershel was then brought in from the pen to hold the Colonels at bay.  He induced a pop out and groundout to second to end the inning.  He was immediately backed with support when the Lions broke a 4-4 tie on Cornett's infield single that plated junior Tate Koons.  Junior Matt Youtsey added to the lead with a run-scoring base hit to center with one away in the fifth.

Piedmont doubled up on Centre with a two-run bases-loaded single from Davis, making it 8-4 before Bailey grounded out to first to give the Lions their ninth run of the night.  Goershel picked up the win, his second of the season, going 1.2 innings of shutout ball.  The host team picked up another run in seventh and two more in the eighth to ensure the win.

Five Lions had a two-hit night, led by Davis and Cornett, who added four and three RBI, respectively.  Bailey drove in a pair, while senior Ethan Miers, Youtsey and Koons had two hits each.  PC is now 16-5 with the win, and finally open Great South Athletic Conference play with a three-game set with visiting Covenant College, beginning Thursday night at 7:00 pm.