NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 10, No. 3 Linfield 6
Game 2 Score: St. John Fisher 5, Piedmont 3
Records: Piedmont, 6-6; Linfield, 11-2; St. John Fisher, 7-3
 
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Piedmont College softball team upended No. 3 Linfield, 10-6, to highlight a Saturday split at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Arizona.
 
The Lady Lions (6-6) used a six-run first inning to take down the third-ranked Wildcats (11-2) before falling, 5-3, in their final game of the day to St. John Fisher.
 
Game 1: Piedmont 10, No. 3 Linfield 6
 
The Wildcats started the game strong, striking for a pair of runs off Piedmont starter MARTINA MALOCH in the top of the first.
 
However, the Lady Lions responded in a big way in the bottom of the frame, bringing 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs to regain control of the game.
 
MICAELA QUESADA's bases-loaded walk started the scoring before MACKENZIE DAVIS brought home two runs to give Piedmont a 3-2 edge.
 
Two more runs scored as KATLYN ANDRIN reached on Linfield's second error of the inning before the scoring finally concluded as MACIE ALLEN reached on a bunt single to bring home Andrin.
 
After an easy top of the second, the Wildcats battled back with two more runs in the top of the third to cut their deficit to 6-4.
 
Once again, Piedmont answered as MACKENZIE DAVIS led off the bottom of the inning with her first career home run.
 
The Wildcats once again brought their deficit to just two runs after scoring in the fourth and fifth innings but the Lady Lions removed all doubt with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth as Perry drove home two more with a double to right field before HANNAH MORGAN capped the scoring with an RBI single.
 
From there, Maloch allowed just one runner to reach base in each of the final two frames as PC closed out the top-five victory.
 
Game 2: St. John Fisher 5, Piedmont 3
 
Piedmont built off its momentum from the first game as it struck early on Perry's RBI single in the top of the first.
 
After ABBEY ARRINGTON fired a scoreless bottom of the first, PC increased its lead to 3-0 thanks to two hits and a St. John Fisher error.
 
However, the Piedmont offense was unable to crack the scoreboard from that point forward as the Cardinals (7-3) began their comeback with a run on five hits in the bottom of the third.
 
The damage could have been worse, but Arrington stranded the bases loaded with a fly out to right field ending the threat.
 
Leading 3-1 going to the bottom of the fifth, the game turned on one swing as Allie Klonowski delivered a three-run home run to give the Cardinals a 4-3 lead.
 
St. John Fisher added an insurance run later in the inning as the Lady Lions were unable to mount a rally in the final two innings.
 
TURNING POINT:
- In game one, it was a six-run bottom of the first that set the tone for PC's win over No. 3 Linfield.
- In game two, the Lady Lions let a 3-1 lead slip away in the bottom of the fifth as Allie Klonowski's three-run homer proved to be the difference.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Piedmont left fielder KATELYN PERRY was 5-for-8 on the day with five RBI.
- MACKENZIE DAVIS delivered a pair of hits in both games, scoring three runs for the day while driving in a pair as well as hitting her first career home run.
 
UP NEXT:
- The road gets no easier for the Lady Lions on their final day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Piedmont will take on No. 4 East Texas Baptist at 11 a.m. (ET) before concluding the event against No. 14 St. Thomas at 3 p.m. (ET).
 
HOW TO FOLLOW:
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