NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 9, Wesleyan 2
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 8, Wesleyan 2
Records: Piedmont, 20-5 (8-0 USA South); Wesleyan, 6-12 (1-5 USA South)
 
MACON, Ga. – The Piedmont College softball team extended its season-long win streak to eight games with a doubleheader sweep at Wesleyan on Thursday afternoon.
 
In game one, the Lady Lions (20-5, 8-0 USA South) used a five-run second inning to jump out to a big early lead to win, 9-2. Then, in game two, Piedmont again used one big inning to run away from the Wolves (6-12, 1-5 USA South), this time with a five-run sixth.
 
Game 1: Piedmont 9, Wesleyan 2
 
The hot-hitting HANNAH HOBAN continued her strong work at the plate early on, striking for an RBI double to bring home REBEKAH STEGMAYER and give PC a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
 
Then, in the second, Piedmont kept the foot on the pedal, scoring five runs on five hits and taking advantage of one Wesleyan (6-12, 1-5 USA South) error in the frame. KATLYN ANDRIN led off the inning with a single, stole second and came in to score on DREW GRAHAM's double one batter later. After a strikeout, Graham came in to score on an RBI single from TK SAULS. Before the Wolves were out of the inning, the Lady Lions plated three more runs, the last of which came courtesy of ANNA LEE STONE's two-out RBI single.
 
Already leading 6-0, Stone delivered again in the fourth, this time bringing in LINSAY LINK for a 7-0 Piedmont lead. 
 
Wesleyan added single runs in the fourth and fifth to cut its deficit to five, but the Lady Lions responded with two more runs in the sixth, courtesy of Link's first two RBI of the season.
 
Starting pitcher MELISSA ECKMAN was solid as usual, throwing a complete game, allowing just two runs with three strikeouts.
 
Game 2: Piedmont 8, Wesleyan 2
 
Game two started much the same way for the Lady Lions, as Stegmayer led off with a walk and came around to score on an error.
 
In the second inning, PC again took advantage of a Wolves defensive lapse, with MADISON GARRETT coming in on a passed ball.
 
Wesleyan battled back to tie the score in the bottom of the fourth at 2-2.
 
However, Piedmont answered back immediately, plating five runs in the top of the fifth to take full control of the contest.
 
After Kennison got the scoring started with an RBI single, it was followed by another single by Hoban to plate two more. The freshmen then got in on the action, with RBI's from Andrin and Graham to conclude the five-run frame.
 
Kennison gave the Lady Lions an even bigger cushion in the sixth, launching her fourth homer of the season to extend their lead to 8-2.
 
Entering in the fourth inning in relief of starter KORY BEST, Eckman threw 3.1 shutout innings in game two, and set down the Wolves without much of a threat over the final two frames.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions will be off for the weekend before traveling to take on Covenant in a road USA South doubleheader this Tuesday, April 2 at 1 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- In game one, the Lady Lions scored five times in the top of the second to establish a 6-0 lead after two innings. 
- With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth of game two, Piedmont had another five-run frame to break the game open.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- MELISSA ECKMAN was dominant on the mound on Thursday, pitching 10.1 innings and allowing just two runs. She earned the win in both contests, giving her eight for the season.
- The top of Piedmont's order continued to wreak havoc on its opponents on Tuesday. REBEKAH STEGMAYER scored five runs over the two contests. MARIANN KENNISON hit her fourth home run of the season and HANNAH HOBAN drove in three runs over the two games.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont's 8-0 start in the USA South is its first since 2014, when the Lady Lions broke the school record with 43 wins for the season
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- PC's pitching came through in the clutch on Thursday, stranding 17 Wesleyan baserunners including 11 in game two.
 
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.