NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Emory & Henry 4, Piedmont 2
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 5, Averett 3
Records: Piedmont, 1-1; Emory & Henry, 2-2; Averett, 1-1
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College softball team held off Averett to pick up a split in its opening date of the 2019 campaign on Friday at the Piedmont Classic at the Walker Athletic Complex.
 
After dropping a 4-2 heartbreaker to Emory & Henry in the morning, the Lady Lions (1-1) roared back to take down Averett, 5-3, in its final contest of the day.
 
GAME 1: EMORY & HENRY 4, PIEDMONT 2
 
The Lady Lions raced out to an early lead in their first inning of the season against the Wasps (2-2), as HANNAH HOBAN's rocket RBI double down the left field line sent MARIANN KENNISON to the plate.
 
Two-time reigning USA South Pitcher of the Year MELISSA ECKMAN started off strong on the mound, holding Emory & Henry off the scoreboard as PC clung to a 1-0 margin most of the way.
 
Kennison provided what appeared to be a key insurance run, as her line drive into the right-center field gap eluded Emory & Henry center fielder Erin Anderson and rolled to the wall, allowing the senior outfielder to race around the bases for an inside-the-park-home run and a 2-0 PC lead heading into the top of the seventh.
 
Emory & Henry saw three of its first four hitters of the seventh inning reach on singles, loading the bases with just one out, when pinch hitter Madison McClanahan stepped to the plate and sent the first pitch she saw soaring over the left-center field fence.
 
The Lady Lions were unable to mount a rally in the seventh, falling, 4-2.
 
GAME 2: PIEDMONT 5, AVERETT 3
 
After Averett (1-1) walked off in the bottom of the seventh to take down Emory & Henry in the middle game, the Lady Lions wasted no time jumping out to another early lead.
 
The first of RACHEL OBERHOLTZER's three hits brought Hoban to the plate for the game's first run before ANNA LEE STONE drove home two more in the third on an RBI double.
 
The Cougars put a run on the board in the top of the fourth, but the Lady Lions immediately responded by adding two more runs on RBI singles by Hoban and Oberholtzer.
 
Having been dominant through the first six frames, sophomore right-hander MADISON WHITESIDE held off a furious seventh-inning rally by the Cougars, who scored two runs on two hits and brought the tying run to the plate twice. However, Whiteside responded by inducing a fly out and a ground out to seal PC's first win of 2019.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- MARIANN KENNISON picked up where she left off after an outstanding junior season, going 3-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run and two runs scored in the loss to Emory & Henry.
- Whiteside delivered a stabilizing performance on the mound against the Cougars, throwing a complete game, allowing just three runs while striking out three.
- Freshman center fielder REBEKAH STEGMAYER went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored in game two.
 
UP NEXT:
- The Lady Lions are right back at it on Saturday, starting with an 11 a.m. matchup against Birmingham-Southern.
- Piedmont wraps up play at 3 p.m. against Sewanee.
 
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.