RALEIGH, N.C. – The Piedmont College softball split a pair of matchups against top-15 opponents on day two of the Raleigh Grand Slam Tournament.
 
The Lady Lions (3-3) began the day with a 5-1 rout of No. 13 Rowan before clawing back from a major deficit but falling just short against No. 12 Randolph-Macon.
 
Game 1: Piedmont 5, No. 13 Rowan 1
Freshmen HANNAH MORGAN and MICAELA QUESADA continued their hot hitting to lead the Lady Lions past the 13th-ranked Profs.
 
On the pitching side, sophomore right-hander ABBEY ARRINGTON improved to 2-1, going four strong innings allowing a run on five hits.
 
After Rowan struck first with a single run in the top of the first, Piedmont answered back immediately as Quesada drew a bases loaded walk to tie the score at 1-1.
 
After a KATELYN PERRY sacrifice fly gave PC a 2-1 lead in the fourth, the Lady Lions showed their power in the late innings as Quesada homered for the second straight day while Morgan delivered the knockout punch with a two-run shot in the sixth.
 
MARTINA MALOCH relieved Arrington and fired three innings of one-hit, shutout ball with three strikeouts to give PC the win over the ranked Profs.
 
Game 2: No. 12 Randolph-Macon holds off Piedmont's late rally
The Yellow Jackets wasted no time jumping out to a quick lead against Piedmont's Maloch with a two-run homer in the first inning.
 
Randolph-Macon added a single run in the second before appearing to remove all doubt from the outcome with a big third inning to take a commanding lead.
 
With their backs up against the wall, Quesada started the comeback with a three-run homer in the fourth.
 
The Lady Lions entered the sixth with still a big margin to overcome but scored five times in the sixth which was capped by Perry's two-run single.
 
MADDY HOLLOWAY kept PC in the game with three innings of three-hit, two-run ball to keep Piedmont alive.
 
Unfortunately, the rally fell just short as the Lady Lions enter the final day of the tournament with an even 3-3 record.
 
TURNING POINT:
- In game one, it was the power bats of Quesada and Morgan who put the game away late for Piedmont with home runs.
- In game two, Randolph-Macon's big third inning proved to be too much for the Lady Lions to overcome.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- MICAELA QUESADA homered in both games Saturday, giving the freshman three home runs in the tournament.
- Leadoff hitter REBEKAH STEGMAYER recorded five hits over the two games, scoring four runs.
- KATELYN PERRY delivered a pair of hits and three RBI over the two games.
 
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.