NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 8, Covenant 2
Records: Piedmont, 22-6 (12-3 USA South); Covenant, 12-16 (5-10 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The No. 16 Piedmont College baseball team extended its win streak to six on Friday night with an 8-2 victory against Covenant at Loudermilk Field.
 
SAM CARPENTER dominated on the mound while the Lions (22-6, 12-3) produced four separate two-run innings to run away from Covenant.
 
TYLER SHELEY and TYLER BURDETTE paced Piedmont's offense, each providing a three-hit effort.
 
The Lions wasted no time jumping out to an early advantage. Leadoff hitter TYLER SHELEY singled and came around to score on ANDREW BURDEN's RBI single. Then, a TYLER BURDETTE sacrifice fly scored BRADY BALLSTADT to give PC a 2-0 lead after one.
 
After the Scots were able to plate single runs in the second and third off of Carpenter, Piedmont answered right back with a two-run fourth.
 
EVAN MEADE scored Burdette all the way from first base on a triple and came in to score himself as KYLE DEJESUS reached on an error.
 
The Scots (12-16, 5-10 USA South) loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the fifth, but Carpenter was able to escape the jam with no runs allowed.
 
PC kept adding on in the fifth, scoring two more times thanks to three hits and a Covenant error.
 
Already with a 6-2 lead heading into the eighth, the Lions added two more insurance runs as Zach Swindell tripled home
 
Up next, the Lions will conclude their three-game set with Covenant with a doubleheader tomorrow, starting at 2 p.m. Prior to the beginning of game one, 10 Lion seniors will be honored for their contributions to the program.
 
TURNING POINT:
- With the Lions leading by two runs in the top of the fifth, Covenant loaded the bases with nobody out. However, SAM CARPENTER retired the next three hitters to escape trouble as Piedmont added two more runs in the bottom of the frame to take a four-run lead.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- SAM CARPENTER continued his dominant pitching of late, throwing 7.1 innings of two-run ball, with 10 strikeouts, the second time this season he has reached double digits.
- TYLER BURDETTE had an outstanding day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.
- TYLER SHELEY also delivered three hits from the leadoff spot, scoring two runs and drawing a walk.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- The Lions are on their second win streak of at least six games this season.
 
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.