NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 12, Brevard 11
Records: Piedmont, 10-10-1, 2-1 USA South; Brevard 14-9, 3-3 USA South
DEMOREST, Ga. - In a game featuring 23 combined runs and 25 combined hits, the Piedmont University baseball team topped Brevard 12-11 to claim the conference series. The Lions move to 2-1 in USA South play with the victory.
In the bottom of the first,
NOAH AARON went yard on the first pitch to give the Lions a 1-0 lead quickly. The home run marked the first of his career.
In the second, Brevard was able to add two runs with a homer of their own driving in a leadoff walk. The Tornados lead was short-lived as Piedmont added four runs in the bottom of the frame to lead 5-2.
In the second, a pair of hits put runners on the corners and allowed
BRAYDEN BROOKS to steal second and in a double steal opportunity,
SCOTT LYON stole home.
CARTER BALLSTADT recorded an RBI single and
GRANT OLSON drove in two runs.
Just an inning later, an error extended Piedmont's chances allowing another pair of runs to score increasing the lead to 7-2. Starter Brayden Simms was pulled with one out in the fourth giving way to
AIDAN COONEY. In total, the Lions used six pitchers in the contest.
In the top of the sixth, Piedmont led 10-6 before the Tornados loaded the bases and a grand slam tied the contest. Cale Oehler notched his second home run of the day giving him six RBI to that point. Brevard added another run to take an 11-10 lead.
In the home half, Piedmont got back to work at the plate with three straight singles capped off with
ALEX GONZALEZ driving in the tying run. Ballstadt recorded his second sac fly of the game to take the lead and put the Lions back on top 12-11.
KYLE YORK earned the win pitching one inning.
TYLER ROON entered in the top of the seventh and worked two 1-2-3 innings before giving way to
CARTER BALLSTADT for the ninth inning. Ballstadt struck out the first batter, picked off another at second and ended the game on a pop up to first. The save was the fourth of the season for the senior.
Up next, the Lions face Berry on the road on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
--In the bottom of the sixth inning after a grand slam by the Tornados, the Lions were unfazed and reclaimed the lead with a pair of runs.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Roon pitched in all three contests of the weekend with a win on Saturday and six total scoreless innings allowing just four hits and striking out six batters.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--A total of three home runs were hit in the contest with steady 13 mph winds throughout the contest and frequent larger gusts.
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.
