NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 5, SUNY Cortland 4
Records: Piedmont, 17-6; SUNY Cortland, 7-7-1
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The No. 19 Piedmont College baseball scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to rally past No. 25 SUNY Cortland on Tuesday night at Loudermilk Field.
 
The Lions (17-6) were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the early innings, but plated two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to overtake the Red Dragons (7-7-1)
 
Freshman reliever CARTER BALLSTADT threw two excellent relief innings, striking out three to earn his first career win. Senior MATT VONDERSCHMIDT earned his fourth save, entering with a 5-4 lead and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to seal another one-run home win for Piedmont.
 
Both teams put multiple runners on throughout the early innings, but neither was able to break through.
 
Cortland left the bases loaded in the top of the second while Piedmont left six men on through the first three innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the third.
 
The Red Dragons finally converted a leadoff double in the fifth, as Joe Tardif came in to score the game's first run on a wild pitch after a sacrifice bunt advanced him to third.
 
Cortland tacked on three more runs on three hits in the sixth to chase PC starter TYLER FAIRCHILD from the game and take a 4-0 lead.
 
However, the Lions responded by taking advantage of two walks, as ANDREW BURDEN and TYLER BURDETTE came in to score on EVAN MEADE's two RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
 
PC drew two more walks to lead off the bottom of the seventh before loading the bases as WES SNYDER dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt and reached first when the Red Dragons misfired trying to cut off the lead runner going to third.
 
With the bases loaded, BRADY BALLSTADT tied the game with an opposite field single just down the line. One batter later, Burden brought home the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly.
 
CARTER BALLSTADT then fired a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts before handing the ball to Vonderschmidt, who pitched around a two-out single to seal the win for the Lions.
 
Up next, Piedmont takes to the road for a three-game USA South series at Berea, starting Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- ANDREW BURDEN and TYLER BURDETTE drew the team's eighth and ninth walks of the game leading off the seventh inning and both came around to score on BRADY BALLSTADT's two-run single one batter later to tie the game. The next hitter, ANDREW BURDEN, scored WES SNYDER from the third base on a sacrifice fly with what turned out to be the winning run.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- For the second consecutive game, CARTER BALLSTADT delivered multiple scoreless innings out of the bullpen, picking up his first win after throwing two scoreless innings with a career-best three strikeouts.
- Older brother BRADY BALLSTADT added two more hits and drove home two. The senior outfielder drove home two runs and had two hits. He needs just one more RBI and two more hits to become the all-time Piedmont leader in both categories.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- In home games decided by one run, the Lions have now been victorious in nine straight contests.
- Piedmont drew a season-high 10 walks.
 
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.