NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: LaGrange 15, Piedmont 7
Game 2 Score: LaGrange 6, Piedmont 5
Records: LaGrange, 20-7 (12-1 USA South); Piedmont, 20-14 (7-6 USA South

DEMOREST, Ga. - On a day it honored nine seniors, the Piedmont baseball team dropped a pair of contests with LaGrange on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Demorest.

The Panthers used an offensive onslaught to run away with a 15-7 win in game one before escaping with a 6-5 win in the nightcap to earn the series sweep.

Game 1: LaGrange 15, Piedmont 7

In a marathon game that lasted over three and a half hours, the Panthers led the whole way, withstood a Piedmont rally in the middle innings and then pulled away again late in a 15-7 game one victory.

LaGrange's offense remained hot from Friday night as it scored four runs in the first before adding five more in the second to lead 9-1 after two innings of play.

However, the Lions battled back in the middle innings, scoring four times in the fourth inning without the benefit of a single hit, taking advantage of two LaGrange errors to cut into their deficit. Then, after the Panthers added another run in the fifth to lead 10-5, Piedmont's comeback attempt continued in the bottom of the frame as it tallied two more runs to get within striking distance at 10-7 with four innings left.

Unfortunately, LaGrange's bullpen delivered in the clutch from there, stranding five runners in the sixth and seventh innings to hold the 10-7 lead going to the ninth. 

The top of the ninth saw another offensive onslaught, as the Panthers launched three home runs to put the game out of reach.

LaGrange did its damage from the middle of the order as its number three through seven spots in the lineup delivered 13 hits and drove home 11 runs.

On the Piedmont side, JACK BARTLEWSKI was the only Lion with more than one hit, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. Senior right-hander RYAN COX delivered a valiant effort in relief, eating 5.1 innings while allowing just three hits and one run while striking out three.

Game 2: LaGrange 6, Piedmont 5

The back half of the doubleheader was more of the same as the Lions were unable to contain the potent LaGrange lineup.

The Panthers struck early again, plating a pair of runs in the first before adding single runs in the second, third and fifth.

Trailing 3-0 heading to the bottom of the third, Piedmont scored two runs on two hits and two walks but left the bases loaded and went to the fourth still trailing by a run.

While the Panthers were able to add two more runs in the top of the fifth to jump ahead to by three again, Piedmont once again struck for two runs in the bottom of the frame. Patience at the plate was key as both SCOTT LYON and ZACH SWINDELL drew bases-loaded walks to make the tally 5-4 going to the sixth.

Piedmont starter PEYTON IRVIN settled in after a rocky start, grinding through 6.1 innings before gibing way to JUSTIN MANUS, who induced an inning-ending double play to escape a two-on, one out jam.

Needing a run with six outs left, Piedmont's TYLER SMITH delivered a two-out double to right-center field before KYLE DEJESUS earned a hit by pitch to put two on for Bartlewski, who came through in the clutch, delivering a two-strike RBI single to knot the score at 5-5 going to the ninth.

However, LaGrange took advantage of a Piedmont error in the top of the ninth and scored the go-ahead run on a squeeze play to take a 6-5 lead.

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