NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 7, Berea 2
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 12, Berea 2 (F/5)
Records: Piedmont, 16-5 (6-0 USA South); Berea, 5-13 (1-7 USA South)
 
BEREA, Ky. – The Piedmont College softball team has now won six straight games to begin its conference slate after a pair of decisive victories at Berea on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Lions (16-5, 6-0 USA South) never trailed on their way to a 7-2 victory in game one before scoring 12 times from the third through fifth innings in game two to win, 12-2, by the run rule in five innings.
 
Game 1: Piedmont 7, Berea 2
 
Piedmont wasted no time jumping out to an early lead in game one, as REBEKAH STEGMAYER led off the game with a walk, stole second base and came in to score on an RBI single to center field by MARIANN KENNISON. Three batters later, ANNA LEE STONE capped the scoring with an RBI single of her own to give PC a 2-0 lead.
 
The top of the lineup went to work again in the third, this time starting the rally on a Stegmayer single. Then, with two outs and two on, Stone came up with a clutch RBI double to the opposite field to bring in Stegmayer and Kennison and give the Lady Lions a 4-0 advantage.
 
Stegmayer scored her team-leading third run of the game in the fourth as she came around on the 2-RBI double by Kennison.
 
After MADISON GARRETT added another run for Piedmont with an RBI double in the sixth, the Mountaineers (5-13, 1-7 USA South) added single runs in the sixth and seventh to avoid the shutout.
 
MELISSA ECKMAN continued her strong pitching of late, firing a complete game while allowing just four hits, two runs and striking out four.
 
Game 2: Piedmont 12, Berea 2 (F/5)
 
Berea opened game two by striking for a quick run in the bottom of the first. 
 
However, the Lady Lions did not trail long, as they put up three on three hits in the top of the third, with HANNAH HOBAN's RBI double giving PC a 2-1 lead before Garrett brought in Hoban on an RBI single.
 
Piedmont kept the offensive momentum going with a four-run fourth inning. Kennison drove home KATLYN ANDRIN with another RBI double before Hoban's second home run of the season brought home three more and broke the game open.
 
Already with a comfortable lead, the Lady Lions, Hoban closed out her outstanding game by hitting a two-run blast as PC scored five times in the inning to grab a 12-2 lead.
 
After allowing a run in the first, MADISON WHITESIDE settled in on the mound for the Lady Lions, throwing five innings and allowing just five hits and two runs.
 
Up next, Piedmont remains in Kentucky to play another road doubleheader on Sunday against Centre, starting at 12 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- In game one, the top of the order truck early for Piedmont, with the Lady Lions taking a 2-0 lead after the top of the first and never looking back on their way to a 7-2 victory.
- Trailing 1-0 in the top of the third, PC's offense came to life, scoring 12 runs over the next three frames to win in five innings by the run rule.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- The seniors from Arizona led the way for the Lady Lions on Sunday, with each delivering impact performances.
- MARIANN KENNISON went 5-for-5 with six RBI and five runs scored over the two games.
- HANNAH HOBAN also drove in six runs, with all coming in a two-homer performance in game two. The senior first basemen had three hits and scored two runs.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Hoban's six RBI ties her career high, set last season against Berea.
- The two-homer game two was her third career multi-home run game.
 
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.