NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 6, Covenant 3; Piedmont 10, Covenant 3
Records: Piedmont, 20-11 (6-2 USA South), Covenant, 17-11 (3-5 USA South);

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga.  - The Piedmont baseball team swept Covenant Friday in a USA South doubleheader winning 6-3 and 10-3. SAM CARPENTER and PEYTON IRVIN both picked up wins on the mound as Piedmont claimed its 20th win of the season and moved to 7-3 in league play. 

Game one saw Piedmont score early to take a 1-0 lead in the first off a CARTER BALLSTADT groundout with the bases loaded. The Lions would add one more in the fourth after a walk and pair of singles to lead 2-0. 

Covenant tied the contest putting up two runs of their own in the fourth inning and the game was once again tied in the sixth at 3-3. The Lions were able to separate in the top of the seventh with three runs on one hit and one error. 

The Scots put in a new pitcher in the top of the seventh who proceeded to walk ZACH NORMAN and BRAYDEN BROOKS then SCOTT LYON tripled to center field to drive in both. TYLER SMITH reached on a fielder's choice and Lyon scored on a muffed throw to lead 6-3. 

SAM CARPENTER pitched seven innings allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out 11. CARTER BALLSTADT entered in the eighth to pitch the final two innings with clean work striking out four. Piedmont's pitching staff totaled 15 strikeouts in game one. 

Game two saw PEYTON IRVIN take the bump going 6.2 innings allowing three runs on six hits. The Piedmont bullpen was electric Friday as JUSTIN MANUS didn't allow a single hit either and struck out two. 

Piedmont started where they left off in game one with a three run spot in the first. Ballstadt had an RBI on a fielder's choice back to the pitcher and TYLER SHELEY doubled to drive in two more. 

Covenant added one back in the bottom of the first and two more in the fourth to tie up the contest. The Lions were able to take back the lead in the top of the fifth with five runs on four hits and an error in the frame. Piedmont led 8-3 after the fifth as Irvin was able to finish off a 1-2-3 inning in the home half. 

Piedmont added two more runs in the eighth for good measure as KYLE DEJESUS led off with a ground-rule double and was driven in on a bunt single by HEATH WALDROP. Norman had a sac fly to bring Ballstadt in and make the final 10-3. 

Up next, Piedmont is scheduled for a single contest at Covenant at 12 p.m. Saturday pending the forecast. 

TURNING POINT:
--In game one, Piedmont used a three-run seventh inning to take the lead and claim the victory. 
--Game two saw Piedmont have more big innings with a five-run fifth that gave them the lead and proved to be the difference. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--CARTER BALLSTADT had a pair of RBI and earned the save in game one pitching two innings of clean work without allowing a hit and struck out four batters. 
--Piedmont racked up 15 hits in the second contest led by KYLE DEJESUS who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. 

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.