Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 7, Christopher Newport 6
Records: Lions 2-1 (0-0 USA South), Captains 0-1 (0-0 CAC)
Location: Demorest, Georgia - Loudermilk Field

Demorest, GA - In thrilling fashion, the Piedmont College baseball team won its home opener 7-6 over Christopher Newport Friday evening under the lights at Loudermilk Field. Piedmont trailed 6-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth and managed three runs in the bottom of the frame including ANDREW BURDEN's game winner.

It was scoreless through the first inning, but the Captains' Nicholas Baham homered in the second inning to put CNU up 1-0. The Lions answered in the bottom of the frame tying the contest on a single by COLLIN GRANT to score ZACH LANGLEY. 

The Captains scored again in the top of the third with two runs on three hits and an error, but once again, Piedmont would answer in the bottom of the frame scoring one run as Brady Ballstadt scored after TYLER BURDETTE reached on an error. 

Christopher Newport again extended the lead with two runs in the top of the fourth as MAX BENING was on the hill for PC through the first four innings, then gave way to DAVID CRAFT. Craft posted his best outing as a Lion tossing 3.1 innings giving up just two hits and striking out three. 

The remaining run for the Captains came in the top of the sixth after a pair of errors in the inning. The Lions began to chip away at the lead after the seventh inning stretch with a pair of runs thanks to a BRADY BALLSTADT triple and a Burdette double on back-to-back at-bats making it 6-4. 

That would remain the score until the bottom of the ninth when Piedmont locked in and scored three runs on two hits and an error for the victory. JACK MAYO reached on an error to start the inning, Ballstadt walked, and Burdette singled to load the bases. GRIFFIN OLSON sent in the first run, then a wild pitch sent Ballstadt in to tie the game, followed by Burden ending it all with his game-winning walk-off hit to score Burdette. 

Turning Point
--The Lions trailed 6-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning but managed three runs on two hits and an error in the frame to take the 7-6 victory. 

Standout Performances
--ANDREW BURDEN continues to impress as the sophomore went 2-for-5 in the game with the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. 
--Both BRADY BALLSTADT and TYLER BURDETTE accounted for a pair of hits as well as those three batters accounted for six of the nine hits for PC Friday. 

Inside the Box Score
--DAVID CRAFT and SETH GEORGE combined to finish the game over the final five innings allowing just three hits and no earned runs. 

News & Notes
--SETH GEORGE earned his fifth victory of his career with the win Friday after getting out of a bases loaded jam with one out in the top of the eighth. 

Up Next
--The Lions remain in action at home taking on Methodist University Saturday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m. 

How to Follow
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