NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1: Piedmont 7, Louisiana 4
Game 2: Piedmont 1, #18 BSC 3
Record: Piedmont 1-3
 
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – The Piedmont College softball team split its pair of contests Saturday earning a win in game one against Louisiana College 7-4 before dropping a close call against #18 Birmingham-Southern 3-1.

Game 1: Piedmont 7, Louisiana 4
Game one was an offensive outburst for Piedmont as the Lady Lions started strong with a five-run first inning. REBEKAH STEGMAYER walked to start the game and a HANNAH SMITH single put runners on the corners. On the double steal, both runners were safe as Stegmayer stole home and Smith was safe at second.

With a 1-0 lead, KATELYN PERRY drove one out in left center to send Smith home and cement a 3-0 lead with no outs. KARA TAYLOR singled and MACKENZIE DAVIS drove her in on the second 2-run home run of the inning putting the Lady Lions up 5-0. 

SHAYLEN SUTTON earned the start pitching for Piedmont and got her first collegiate victory pitching 4.1 innings allowing eight hits, four runs (two earned) and struck out three. MARTINA MALOCH earned a save as she pitched the final 2.2 innings allowing just two hits and also striking out three. The two pitchers for the Lady Lions did not allow more than two hits in a single inning. 

Lousiana College was able to piece together their four runs adding a single run in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings. With a 5-4 lead heading into the seventh, Piedmont was able to add on insurance in the top half of the frame with two runs on one hit and an error. 

With two outs, KATELYN PERRY was walked and KAITLIN ISLEY entered to pinch run. Isley then stole second and another walk was issued to KARA TAYLOR. EMMA MCBRAYER singled to center driving in Isley and putting runners on the corners again. A throwing error by the catcher drove in HANNAH CALLAWAY who entered to pinch run for Taylor, giving Piedmont a 7-4 advantage. 

Game 2: Piedmont 1, #18 BSC 3

The rematch against #18 Birmingham-Southern saw Piedmont once again come up just short in a 3-1 loss. Piedmont's pitching staff did not allow an earned run in the contest.

EMMA MCBRAYER started in the circle for Piedmont pitching 5.2 innings allowing five hits, five walks and a pair of runs. MARTINA MALOCH finished out the contest making her second appearance of the day pitching 1.1 innings. 

BSC scored a pair in the second inning after a single and a fielder's choice coupled with an error. The Lady Lions were able to manage six hits against the Panthers with three coming in the fourth inning when the Lady Lions added their run. 

Perry singled to open the inning and stole second to present a scoring threat immediately. Davis had a bunt single to drive in Perry, and the Lady Lions would add another single in the inning but left a pair stranded. 

Davis was the lone Lady Lion with multiple hits in the game as she was 2-for-3.

TURNING POINT:
--The Lady Lions were hot out of the gate Saturday with a five-run first inning including a pair of home runs to get the offense firing. 
--Birmingham-Southern took the lead in the second inning after two hits and an error. 
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--KATELYN PERRY was 3-for-3 in game one with two RBI and a run scored thanks to a 2-run home run in the first inning.
--MACKENZIE DAVIS connected on a bunt single in game two to drive in Piedmont's lone run.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Louisiana College had 10 hits in game one to Piedmont's seven, but timely hitting made the difference for the Lady Lions. 
--EMMA MCBRAYER earned the start in the game against BSC, taking the loss, but did not allow an earned run. 

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