Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 4, Huntingdon 14
Records: Lions 12-9, 2-5 USA South, Hawks 6-14, 3-4 USA South
Location: Montgomery, Alabama - Neal Posey Field

Montgomery, AL - The Piedmont College baseball team moved back into conference play Friday beginning a three game series at Huntingdon dropping the opening contest 14-4 to the Hawks. The Lions struggled with five errors in the contest and could not overcome the Hawks offense in the shootout. 

The Hawks scored early and often with runs in each inning but the fifth and the eighth and scored more than one run in three separate innings. HC led 1-0 after the first inning and scored three more in the bottom of the second to go up 4-0, but the Lions' offense answered as BRADY BALLSTADT homered in the third inning to drive in GRIFFIN OLSON cutting the lead in half 4-2. 

Huntingdon continued to pile it on offensively, however, as they added a run in the third and put up a five spot in the fourth to take a commanding 10-2 lead. Piedmont trailed 11-2 before adding their next runs scoring a pair in the seventh, but it was not enough as the Hawks held on for the 14-4 victory. 

MAX BENING took the loss for Piedmont giving up six hits and three earned runs over his 3.1 innings pitched as the Hawks out-hit Piedmont 15-8. Of Piedmont's eight hits, three athletes accounted for two each in Olson, Ballstadt and JONATHEN BURKETT. 

Turning Point
--The Hawks had a five run fourth inning that opened up the contest giving them a 10-2 lead. 

Standout Performances
--BRADY BALLSTADT homered in the top of the third inning to put across GRIFFIN OLSON with the 2-RBI bomb. 

Inside the Box Score
--Piedmont entered the game with a nation-best 52 stolen bases but was unable to steal on the Hawks Friday.

News & Notes
--That marked just the third game all season that Piedmont has not had at least one stolen base. 

Up Next
--The Lions stay in Montgomery for the series against Huntingdon continuing tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

How to Follow
To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont College Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.