Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 3, Methodist 2
Score: Piedmont 6, N.C. Wesleyan 9 F/10
Records: PC 25-12
Location: LaGrange, Georgia
LAGRANGE, Ga. - The Piedmont College baseball team's run in the USA South tournament came to an end Friday with a win over Methodist and an extra-innings loss to N.C. Wesleyan. The Lions won 3-2 over the Monarchs to eliminate the top seed while dropping a 9-6 game in 10 innings to N.C. Wesleyan.
Game one saw a stellar performance on the mound from
RYAN COX that helped guide Piedmont to victory as the freshman pitched seven innings giving up just one earned run to the Monarchs. Cox also had six strikeouts in the outing nearly averaging one per inning.
The Lions led by two after
NOAH HEATHERLY and
BRADY BALLSTADT earned RBI in the game, but Methodist tied the game in the eighth inning at two. Piedmont used a walk and two singles by Ballstadt and
ANDREW BURDEN to claim the lead and take down the regular season champion Monarchs.
Game two was a different story as the Battling Bishops took a 6-0 lead after the first two innings with three runs in each of the first two. The Monarchs chased starter
SETH GEORGE but
BRYAN WHITACRE pitched lights out putting up zeroes on the board pitching 5.1 innings allowing four hits and no runs scored.
The Lions' offense came to life and it was a
BRADY BALLSTADT 2-run homer that tied the contest and gave the Lions new life in the eighth inning. Piedmont looked to have the game won in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and a full count to
JABIN SMITH but a called strike three was a strikeout looking and sent the team's to extras.
It was in the 10th that N.C. Wesleyan would add three runs on three hits as
BUDDY GREEN would take the loss.
Turning Point
--Piedmont scored in the top of the ninth to seal a win in game one while it was the top of the 10th that was the deciding factor for the visitor's in game two.
Standout Performances
--
RYAN COX pitched seven innings giving up two runs on four hits with six strikeouts against top-seeded Methodist.
Inside the Box Score
--North Carolina Wesleyan had three three-run innings to claim a win in game two.
News & Notes
--Piedmont finished the tournament as the last one eliminated before the championship game.
Up Next
--Piedmont will take on Lynchburg at home over next weekend for a three game series.
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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.
