NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Emory 3, Piedmont 0
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 12, Emory 5
Records: Piedmont, 18-10; Emory, 6-2

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Piedmont softball team overcame a game one shutout loss to race past Emory in game two, earning a doubleheader split on the road Tuesday afternoon.

In their final tuneup before the USA South Conference Tournament this weekend, the Lady Lions saw their bats fall silent in game one before they came roaring to life in game two, rolling to a 12-5 win thanks to a six-run second inning.

Game 1: Emory 3, Piedmont 0

Despite out hitting the Eagles, 6-5, in game one, Piedmont was unable to bring across a single run as Emory's Madison Schaefer improved to 6-0 on the season, firing all 7.0 innings while scattering six hits and striking out five.

The Lady Lions left eight runners on base as the Eagles' Krista Colussi drove home two of the three Emory runs, including a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The game was scoreless until the the bottom of the third, when Colussi stepped up and drove home the game's first run with a single up the middle. However, from there, Piedmont's EMMA MCBRAYER settled in and held the Eagles scoreless until the sixth inning, where they added a pair of insurance runs. Overall, McBrayer pitched 5.2 innings and only allowed one earned run, on the Colussi home run.

MACKENZIE DAVIS was the only Lady Lions to record more than one hit, going 2-for-3 in the loss.

Game 2: Piedmont 12, Emory 5

Despite the game one loss, the Lady Lions responded early in game two, pouncing for six runs in the second and then two more in the third to build a comfortable lead.

Making the start as the designated player in game two, McBrayer launched her first career home run to begin the second inning onslaught, a solo shot to left. The Lady Lions then played small ball the rest of the way, as they scored their next four runs in the inning on balls that did not leave the infield. HANNAH SMITH, DREW GRAHAM, TK SAULS, REBEKAH STEGMAYER and Kateliyn Perry all drove home a run to make the score 6-0 headed to the third.

With one out in the third, KARA TAYLOR's second hit of the game set the table before Sauls delivered her second and third RBI's of the contest with a two-run double to left field to make the score 8-1.

That was more than enough for starting pitcher MARTINA MALOCH, who fired 5.2 innings while allowing four runs (two earned) and striking out four. Maloch gave way to MADISON WHITESIDE who pitched the next inning before SHAYLEN SUTTON entered and closed out the game.

Leading by six runs in the top of the sixth, Piedmont added three more insurance runs as the first three batters of the frame reached before Taylor clered them with a three-RBI double to right center. 

Holding a 12-4 lead going to the final frame, Emory threatened, adding a run before leaving the bases loaded as Natalie Arreguin flew out to center field to end the game.

Up next, the Lady Lions are slated to host USA South West Division playoff action this weekend. Game date and times will be officially announced Wednesday. Stay tuned to PiedmontLions.com for all schedule updates.

TURNING POINT:
- In game one, the Eagles were able to strand eight Piedmont baserunners in the 3-0 shutout win.
- In game two, it was a six-run top of the second inning by the Lady Lions that proved to be the difference.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- MACKENZIE DAVIS delivered four hits on the day, with a multi-hit game in both contests.
- The right side of the Piedmont infield paced the offense in game two as first baseman KARA TAYLOR and second baseman TK SAULS each went 3-for-4 with three RBI in game two.

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.