Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 9, Oglethorpe 12
Records: Lions 22-20, Stormy Petrels 18-18
Location: Demorest, Georgia - Loudermilk Field

Demorest, GA - With the tying run on deck, Oglethorpe University was finally able to get out of a nightmare 9th inning at Loudermilk Field as the Piedmont College baseball team posted nine runs in the final frame to push the issue though OU came away with the 12-9 victory.

The Stormy Petrels had built a 12-run lead with single-run innings in the 2nd and 4th, a 3-spot in the 3rd, two in the 5th, and five insurance runs in the 8th which would prove to be very important down the stretch as PC sent the first six batters through in the 9th without the visitors recording an out. 

The Lions put three on the board before OU earned the first out of the 9th and added two more to start to build momentum before the visitors picked up the second out as the Stormy Petrels still held a seven-run lead, 12-5, needing only one more to get out of town with a win.

However, a bases loaded walk would make it a six run game before EVAN MEADE drilled a two-out, bases clearing double that really made the comeback possible as the three plated put the lead to just three runs with now the tying run sitting on deck.  

Despite the rally, OU pitcher Preston Vegotsky was finally able to induce a game-ending pop up in the infield though the freshman did bobble the catch for a moment giving the Loudermilk faithful one final hope before the 12-9 result.  

Turning Point
--Two home runs in the 3rd set these two apart as Oglethorpe got a pair of blasts to go up 4-0 early on though the final three outs would make it closer than comfortable for the visitors in the end.

Standout Performances
--Youngster EVAN MEADE had himself a night going 4-for-5 including a pair of doubles with three RBIs and a run scored in his 6th start of the season.
--BRADY BALLSTADT picked up yet another stolen base on the season as he is 13th in Division III in that category.

Inside the Box Score
--Going into the bottom of the 9th, Piedmont trailed 12-0 before the first six batters of the inning either walked or singled to start to apply pressure to OU.
--EVAN MEADE's 2-out, bases clearing double put the tying run on deck before OU was able to scratch the final out of the 9th.

News & Notes
--Piedmont leads the country in both stolen bases and base on balls topping all Division III teams by nearly 30 in each category.
--MATT VONDERSCHMIDT made his 22nd appearance of the season earlier tonight tying him for the Division III lead in that statistical category.

Up Next
--A three-game series with Lynchburg College on the road as the Lions travel to Virginia for the first of the trio set to start at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 21.

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.