NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 13, Brevard 4 (F/5)
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 7, Brevard 0
Records: Piedmont 20-9 (9-1 USAS); Brevard 6-15 (2-8 USAS)
 
BREVARD, N.C. – A 20-run output over two games on Wednesday earned the Piedmont University softball team a sweep of the Brevard Tornados and improved its USA South conference record to 9-1.
 
The Lady Lions took care of the Tornados 13-4 in five innings in game one before taking game two 7-0. Piedmont has won 14 of its last 15 games, with the only loss coming in extra innings to Huntingdon.
 
Game 1 – Piedmont 13, Brevard 4 (F/5)
 
The Lady Lions wasted no time in getting the offense going on Wednesday as a six-spot in the top of the first inning set the tone for a convincing run-rule performance.
 
Piedmont would go on to score at least one run in each of its five innings at the plate as the Lady Lions tallied three more runs in the second inning, one in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth.
 
With a six-run lead already in hand before stepping into the circle, Piedmont's starter EMMA MCBRAYER had plenty of wiggle room to work with in game one. McBrayer would allow a pair of Brevard runs in each of the first two innings, but her team still held a 9-4 lead after those two frames.
 
McBrayer settled in after those first two innings and didn't allow another run in the final three innings. She finished with a line of eight hits, four runs (two earned), and five strikeouts to earn the win and improve to a stellar 10-2 on the year.
 
McBrayer was also one of five Lady Lions to tally two hits in the contest as, along with KAITLIN ISLEY, MADISON HENRY, HANNAH MORGAN, and LYNDZI PARTLOW. Each Isley, Henry, and TAYLOR BUCKNER tallied two RBIs to contribute to one of the team's best offensive showings of the season.
 
Game 2 – Piedmont 7, Brevard 0
 
Piedmont got ahead early again in game two when Isley launched a solo home run to left centerfield, the first of her collegiate career.
 
Isley's blast gave Piedmont a 1-0 lead, a score that held all the way until the 5th inning when Isley scored on an RBI single from KARA TAYLOR.
 
That insurance run reopened the floodgates for the Lady Lions as they plated two more in the top of the sixth inning thanks to a pinch-hit RBI single from MACIE ALLEN and a run later in the frame on a throwing error.
 
In the final frame, Taylor belted a three-run homer to left field to put the finishing touches on a dominating afternoon for the Lady Lions. It was Taylor's fourth home run of the season.
 
While the Piedmont offense was on display again in game two, the performance of senior pitcher MARTINA MALOCH cannot be overlooked. Maloch pitched a complete-game shutout, her second seven-inning shutout of the year, after allowing only just four hits, striking out four, and walking none.
 
The convincing sweep improves the team's conference record to 9-1 with just six regular season contests remaining.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont's 13 runs in game one ties a season-high for the team. The Lady Lions are 5-0 this season when they score in double figures.  
- Taylor's fourth homer of the year ties her for eighth place on Piedmont's all-time list for homers in a season. The record is 10, set by HANNAH HOBAN in 2019.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- KAITLIN ISLEY was 4-for-6 on the day with two doubles, five runs, three RBIs, and two stolen bases, and her first career home run.
- LYNDZI PARTLOW returned to the starting lineup for the first time since March 6 and finished the doubleheader 4-for-6 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
- KARA TAYLOR went 3-for-7 at the plate on Wednesday but led the team with five RBIs, including four in game two with three coming on her three-run homer in the seventh inning.
 
UP NEXT:
- The Lady Lions return home on Saturday, April 16, for a conference doubleheader with the Covenant Scots, beginning at 1:00 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.