Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 7, Emory 5
Records: Lions 11-6 (2-4 USA South), Eagles 13-2
Location: Demorest, Georgia - Loudermilk Field
Demorest, GA - The Piedmont College baseball team stunned the #1 ranked Eagles of Emory University Friday evening claiming a 7-5 victory at Loudermilk Field. The loss is just the second of the season for the top-ranked Eagles who stormed back in the contest and were in it until the final play.
The Lions got the scoring started early as Eagles' starter Jackson Weeg gave up back-to-back doubles to
WES SNYDER and
ANDREW BURDEN to plate the first run in the bottom of the first. PC would add another to take a 2-0 lead on a
GRIFFIN OLSON single to score Burden.
MAX BENING had given up just three hits through three innings while Weeg only lasted through three as the Lions pushed four runs across on two hits and a pair of errors in the bottom of the third chasing the Eagles' starter. Weeg, a senior for Emory, took the loss which was just the sixth of his career tossing three innings giving up five hits, six runs and three walks to the 19 batters he faced.
The Eagles got their first run across in the fourth to make it 6-1 but PC would once again plate a run in the bottom of the frame extending it to 7-1 after Snyder doubled for the second time in the game and scored on a
ZACH LANGLEY ground out.
Bening made quick work of the Eagles in the top of the sixth as he struck out the side before his night ended after 6.1 innings pitched. The Eagles did their damage in the top of the seventh scoring four runs on three hits and two errors, with both errors coming with two outs in the frame.
Piedmont looked for an insurance run after the stretch, but
ANDREW BURDEN was called out at the plate sliding into home and a stellar play by Emory's pitcher Richard Brereton got the final out of the inning.
BUDDY GREEN came in to earn the save in the eighth inning as he entered with two runners on and nobody out and worked out of a jam.
Green got the lead runner on a fielder's choice play at third for the first out, got a strike out looking and recorded a ground out to second to end the threat. It once again came down to Green in the ninth as PC was unable to tack on another run and Green delivered with a ground out double play to end the game.
Turning Point
--In the third inning, Piedmont poured on four runs to take a 6-0 lead, but the difference came when
BUDDY GREEN entered in the eighth inning with two on and no outs and left the bases loaded without allowing a run to preserve a 7-5 lead.
Standout Performances
--
MAX BENING earned his first victory of the season pitching 6.1 innings giving up just two earned runs while striking out six including striking out the side in the sixth.
--
WES SNYDER was 2-for-4 in the two-hole as the designated hitter with three runs scored and a walk in the contest.
Inside the Box Score
--The loss is just the second of the season for the Eagles who entered the contest at 13-1.
--Emory's Jackson Weeg took the loss, his second of the season, as the senior had not lost more than one contest in the past two seasons and only has six losses in his four-year career with the Eagles.
News & Notes
--Piedmont is now 6-2 at home this season with all six wins coming by two runs or less including three by a score of 7-5.
Up Next
--The Lions continue the series with Emory in Atlanta tomorrow at 2 p.m.
How to Follow
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