NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Wesleyan 5, Piedmont 0
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 1, Wesleyan 0
Records: Piedmont, 15-9 (10-2 USAS); Wesleyan, 12-16 (6-6 USAS)
 
MACON, Ga. – Piedmont College's softball team split its Friday doubleheader on the road at Wesleyan College thanks a spectacular pitching performance from MARTINA MALOCH in game two.
 
Wesleyan claimed game one 5-0 before Piedmont repaid the favor of a shutout with a 1-0 win in game two.
 
The Lady Lions were shutout for just the third time this season in their 5-0 loss in game one. It's their first scoreless game since a 1-0 loss versus Huntingdon on April 11.
 
Wesleyan scored first in the bottom half of the second inning thanks to an RBI single from Marilynn Nesmith, then blew the lead open with a four-run bottom half of the third inning. Nesmith again delivered the big hit in the inning as her three-run double extended the Wolves' lead.
 
Piedmont's best threat came in the top of the sixth inning as EMMA MCBRAYER came to plate with two outs and a pair of runners in scoring position, but McBrayer's liner was caught by shortstop Kassidy Hulett to neutralize the threat.
 
Kimberly Dick allowed just six Piedmont hits while walking none and striking out seven on her way to victory in game one. She also left six Piedmont baserunners stranded in the contest. McBrayer was saddled with a loss after allowing a career-high five earned runs.
 
Dick pitched both games for Wesleyan and allowed 10 total hits and only one earned run in her 14 innings.
 
Refusing to be held down for very long, the Lady Lions struck quickly in game two as KATELYN PERRY's sac fly scored REBEKAH STEGMAYER for the team's first and only run of the afternoon. That one-run proved to be just enough as Maloch dazzled in the circle in game two.
 
Maloch held the Wolves scoreless in her complete game effort, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out six and facing just three over the minimum.
 
The Lady Lions defense worked out of a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning as Wesleyan moved both the tying and go-ahead runs into scoring position with two outs in the inning. Maloch induced a fly ball out to left field to end the only real threat of the game for the Wolves and preserve the 1-0 lead.
 
Maloch moved to 6-2 on the season with the win.  
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- MARTINA MALOCH was nearly flawless in game two, as she pitched a shutout and struck out six.
- KATELYN PERRY's RBI sac-fly plated Stegmayer for Piedmont's only run of the doubleheader in game two.
- KAITLIN ISLEY and HANNAH SMITH had two hits each, the only Lady Lions with multiple in the doubleheader.
 
UP NEXT:
- Piedmont is back home on Sunday, April 25 for a conference doubleheader with Agnes Scott that was rescheduled from Saturday due to weather. Game one Sunday is slated for 12:00 p.m.
 
 
HOW TO FOLLOW:
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