Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 8, Whitworth 1
Records: Lions 4-2, Pirates 2-2
Location: Demorest, Ga.  

DEMOREST, Ga. - On a day when the bats were hot, the Piedmont College baseball team won 8-1 over Whitworth at Loudermilk Field. The win came on the day a pair of Lions notched their first career homeruns. 

It was quick work through the first two innings with the only hit belonging to ANDREW BURDEN as both pitcher's were dominating out of the gate. In the bottom of the third inning, CAMERON JOHNSON crushed his first homerun of his career as the senior earned his first start of the year in Friday's contest. 

Again, through the fourth and fifth innings there was just one single added by the Lions as it took an hour to play through the first five innings. In the sixth, Whitworth got a runner on after he was hit and scored him on the next batter with an RBI double to tie the game. DAVID CRAFT entered in relief and shut down the attack leaving runners on the corners to end the inning.

The Lions wasted no time in reclaiming the lead with four runs on three hits in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-1 advantage. The Piedmont bullpen allowed just one hit in the final three innings with CARTER BALLSTADT pitching the eighth and WILL JANOFSKY pitching the ninth. 

The Piedmont pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts led by starter RYAN COX's five.

Turning Point
--The Lions scored four runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-1 lead and break open the contest. 

Standout Performances
--Two players hit their first career homeruns in the game with senior CAMERON JOHNSON starting the scoring and EVAN MEADE tacking one on in the 8th to cap the scoring. 

Inside the Box Score
--Piedmont had a total of five extra base hits in the contest while holding the Pirates to just four hits overall. 

News & Notes
--EVAN MEADE accounted for two of those extra base hits as he smashed a triple and a homerun. 

Up Next
--The Lions will host George Fox on Saturday at 6 p.m. weather permitting at Loudermilk Field. Should there be schedule changes, stay tuned to PiedmontLions.com for updates. 

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.