NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 11, Agnes Scott 3 (F/6)
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 8, Agnes Scott 2
Records: Piedmont 11-8 (2-0 USAS); Agnes Scott 4-14 (0-2 USAS) 
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – Piedmont University's softball team began USA South conference play with a statement doubleheader-sweep of the Agnes Scott Scotties on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Lions run-ruled the Scotties 11-3 in six innings in game one before totaling 19 hits in game two to earn an 8-2 win. Piedmont improved its current win streak to five games with the sweep while starting conference play 2-0 for the sixth year in a row.
 
Game 1 – Piedmont 11, Agnes Scott 3 (F/6)
 
The Lady Lions got started early against the Scotties and jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the second inning, with all of the production coming with two outs.
 
Piedmont's first run of the frame came from LAUREN ENGLISH after she scored on a bases-loaded walk from DREW GRAHAM to set up a bases-clearing, three RBI triple from KARA TAYLOR.
 
MADISON HENRY would follow Taylor's triple with a walk to keep the inning alive, setting up another triple, this time from EMMA MCBRAYER, to score two more to add to Piedmont's growing lead.
 
McBrayer added another RBI to her line in the fifth with a double to center field to score HANNAH CALLAWAY and put Piedmont up 7-0.
 
McBrayer's offensive production was helping her own cause in the circle as she pitched the complete game and earned the win, thanks in-part to her own three-RBI game.
 
The Lady Lions added four important runs in the top of the sixth to put the eight-run mercy rule into play. MACIE ALLEN and Taylor Bucker contributed back-to-back RBI doubles to start the scoring before KENNEDY VOTAVA and REBEKAH STEGMAYER added RBIs of their own later in the frame.
 
The Scotties scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to try and stave off the mercy rule, but McBrayer worked around some traffic to secure the 11-3 win. McBrayer allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out a pair en route to her seventh win of the year.
 
Game 2 – Piedmont 8, Agnes Scott 2
 
Game two saw much of the same success for Piedmont as the Lady Lions totaled 19 hits in another strong offensive showing.
 
McBrayer started the scoring in the top of the second with a leadoff homer, the first of the season for the sophomore. Later in the inning, Stegmayer added another RBI on a single to center field to score Buckner.
 
Another crooked number from the Lions blew game two wide open as four runs came home in the top of the fourth inning. The first run of the inning came on an RBI single from Votava to score Bucker after Bucker stole both second and third during the at-bat.
 
Each Stegmayer, Graham, and McBrayer added RBI singles in the frame as McBrayer's single gave her a cycle for the doubleheader.
 
Piedmont's game two starter MARTINA MALOCH was on her A-game yet again in game two, allowing just two runs, only one was earned, on four hits while adding four strikeouts. Those two runs came in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double from Collen Thorson.
 
With a 6-2 lead after four, Piedmont went on to add one run in each the fifth and sixth innings thanks to RBIs from Votava and Bucker. Maloch did not allow a hit in the final three innings to close the deal on a 2-0 start to conference play for the Lady Lions.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- EMMA MCBRAYER had one of her best days as a collegian on Saturday as she hit for the cycle across the doubleheader, going 4-for-6 with six RBIs at the plate while earning the win in game one.
- REBEKAH STEGMAYER continued her stellar senior campaign with an 8-for-8 day at the plate as she totaled two RBIs, two runs, and five stolen bases.
- KENNEDY VOTAVA more than tripled her career hit total on Saturday, finishing the day 5-for-7 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored.
- TAYLOR BUCKNER also enjoyed a breakout performance as she went 4-for-7 at the dish with two doubles, two RBIs, three runs, and three stolen bases.

UP NEXT:
- The Lady Lions return home on Tuesday, March 29, for a nonconference doubleheader with St. Olaf College. Game one is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.  
 
HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University 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.