NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Maryville 8, Piedmont 3
Records: Maryville, 23-8 (15-0 USA South); Piedmont, 25-7 (13-2 USA South)
 
MARYVILLE, Tenn. – The Piedmont College softball team fell, 8-3, in game one of a two-game series at Maryville on Friday evening.
 
The Lady Lions (25-7, 13-2 USA South) struck first for a pair of runs in the second, but the Scots (23-8, 15-0 USA South) immediately answered to tie the score before deciding the game with a four-run fifth inning.
 
Just one game after breaking the single season school record for RBI, HANNAH HOBAN launched her eighth home run of the season in the top of the first, scoring MARIANN KENNISON to give Piedmont an early 2-0 lead.
 
However, the Scots responded with two unearned runs in the bottom of the frame to tie the score.
 
The game remained knotted at 2-2 until the bottom of the fifth, when Maryville struck for four runs on five hits against PC starter MELISSA ECKMAN.
 
Piedmont cut into its deficit in the top of the sixth on Kennison's eighth home run of the season, a solo shot to tie Hoban for the team lead.
 
Maryville was able to add to two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, which was more than enough for starting pitcher Katlyn Smith, who recorded 14 strikeouts in seven innings of work.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions will conclude their two-game set with the Scots tomorrow at 12 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- With the score tied at two apiece in the bottom of the fifth, Maryville scored four times to take a lead which held the rest of the way.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Both HANNAH HOBAN and MARIANN KENNISON continued their power surge, with both hitting their eighth home run of the season Friday. Both need just one more to break the Piedmont single season record, set by Hoban in 2016.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- With their win on Friday, the Scots clinched the USA South West Division. Piedmont currently sits in second place, one game ahead of third-place Huntingdon.
 
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 Piedmont Golf on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.