Need to Know
Game 1: Piedmont 10, Greensboro 3
Game 2: Piedmont 15, N.C. Wesleyan 2 F/8
Records: Lions 21-18
Location: LaGrange, Georgia - Cleaveland Field

LaGrange, GA - The Piedmont College baseball team is heading to the USA South Championship to face LaGrange after winning a pair of elimination games Friday. Piedmont secured wins over Greensboro College 10-3 and N.C. Wesleyan College 15-2 in eight innings, sending both teams home as it will be the #1 seed Panthers and #8 seed Lions in a rematch for the title. 

It was quick starts in both that prepared the Lions for success as Piedmont had a five spot in the top of the first to set the tone against the Pride and never let up on the attack. The Lions would add another pair of runs to lead 7-0 before the Pride crossed the plate. Greensboro scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to four but Piedmont answered back with a three-run inning in the eighth.

The Lions chased Greensboro's starting pitcher after just one out as he allowed all five runs from the first inning as he was removed from the contest after walking three straight batters to score a pair of runs. Piedmont had eight stolen bases in the contest as the Lions are still best in the nation (DIII) in stolen bases having over 100 on the season. 

MAX BENING earned the win for PC tossing six innings allowing the three runs while RYAN STEWART proved to be clutch again from the bullpen throwing the final three innings allowing only two hits to the 12 batters faced. 

Piedmont scored three in the top of the first against N.C. Wesleyan, but it was a low scoring affair until the sixth as PC led it 3-1. JUSTIN GROOVER ignited the offense again in the sixth inning with a home run while GRIFFIN CARACCIOLO scored in the frame as well giving Piedmont a 5-1 lead. 

The Lions would add three runs in the seventh and opened the flood gates in the eighth scoring seven runs to secure a run-rule victory. RILEY PRESNELL pitched all eight innings for the Lions posting one of his best performances in the Green and Gold. 

Piedmont had 15 runs on 15 hits in the contest as both BRADY BALLSTADT and ZACH LANGLEY had three hits in the game. 

Turning Point
--Piedmont scored five runs in the top of the first inning to take control against Greensboro and never relented. 
--The Lions had a 3-1 lead heading into the sixth but a JUSTIN GROOVER home run ignited the offense once again as PC scored 12 runs over the final three innings. 

Standout Performances
--JABIN SMITH and GRIFFIN OLSON both had three hits each in the game against Greensboro as PC had 10 runs on 13 hits. 
--RILEY PRESNELL pitched one of his finest games as a Lion going the distance pitching all eight innings allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out three batters. 

Inside the Box Score
--The Lions had five extra base hits against N.C. Wesleyan with all five coming from different hitters. 
--Piedmont has scored in double digits in three straight games after eclipsing 10 runs just seven other times all season. 

News & Notes
--This is Piedmont's first berth in the USA South baseball championship game with their previous deepest run in the tournament ending with a loss to LaGrange in 2013. 

Up Next
--The Lions face LaGrange College in the USA South Championship Saturday needing to win two against the Panthers as they are undefeated in the tournament so far. 

How to Follow
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