NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 9, Huntingdon 3
Records: Piedmont, 29-8 (19-3 USA South); Huntingdon, 22-14 (12-8 USA South)
 
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The No. 14 Piedmont College baseball team scored all nine of its runs in the eighth and ninth innings to rally past Huntingdon, 9-3, and earn a series sweep on Saturday afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama.
 
With the win, the Lions (29-8, 19-3 USA South) clinched the USA South Regular Season Championship and earned the No. 1 seed for the upcoming USA South Championship Tournament.
 
Both pitchers controlled the game through the early innings, as Piedmont's MAX BENING and Huntingdon's Brooks Freeman each did not allow a run through the first three frames.
 
The Hawks (22-14, 12-8 USA South) broke through with a run on two hits in the bottom of the fourth.
 
After Piedmont was retired in order in the fifth, Huntingdon tacked on two more runs on four singles in the bottom of the inning.
 
The Lions loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but a double play ended the threat.
 
PC took advantage of a dropped fly ball in left field to plate its first run in the top of the eighth. TYLER BURDETTE drove in the team's second run on a groundout before COLLIN GRANT came through in the clutch with a two-out RBI single to left field to bring in the tying run.
 
MATT VONDERSCHMIDT entered on the mound for the Lions and allowed just one hit in a scoreless bottom of the eighth, setting the stage for Piedmont's six-run top of the ninth.
 
Huntingdon walked the bases loaded with one out, setting the stage for Burden, who drew yet another walk to bring in the go-ahead run.
 
Then, with Burdette at the plate, a passed ball and a throwing error led to two more PC runs.
 
Finally, the Lions broke the game open on ZACH NORMAN's pinch-hit, three-run blast to right field, giving Piedmont a 9-3 lead, which was more than enough for Vonderschmidt, who retired the side in order and clinched the No. 1 seed for the Lions.
 
Up next, the Lions will begin play in the USA South Championship Tournament, beginning on Thursday, April 24 at the USA South Spring Festival in LaGrange, Georgia.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Trailing 3-0 heading to the top of the eighth, Piedmont scored nine runs over the final two innings to earn the critical series sweep.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- BRADY BALLSTADT was the only Lion with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk.
- ZACH NORMAN's pinch-hit three run blast was his second homer of the season and gave the Lions a six-run edge going to the bottom of the ninth.
- MAX BENING went seven innings on the mound, allowing just three runs with no walks and three strikeouts.
- MATT VONDERSCHMIDT earned his fourth win of the season, closing out the game with two scoreless innings.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Ballstadt's eighth-inning double was his 19th of the season, breaking his own single-season record, set in his sophomore season of 2017.
 
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.