NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 8, Maryville 4
Records: Piedmont, 16-20-1; Maryville 22-14

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - In the final USA South series of the regular season, the Lions got off to a hot start claiming an 8-4 win over Maryville Friday evening. 

The Scots took a three run lead after the first three innings as PEYTON IRVIN settled in on the mound. Irvin went 6.1 innings to earn the win allowing four earned runs, three walks and struck out two. 

Trailing 3-0 in the fourth, GRANT OLSON hit his first career home run with a 2-run blast to right scoring ALEX GONZALEZ. Just an inning later, it was Gonzalez that would tie it up with a single up the middle driving in SCOTT LYON.

CARTER BALLSTADT put Piedmont out in front with an RBI double to lead 4-3. In the seventh, the Lions' continued to pour it on with four runs on four hits and an error to lead 8-3. 

CONNER JELLEY doubled to drive in TYLER NELSON, Ballstadt recorded a sac-fly and KYLE CARLSON went yard as well with a 2-run shot to drive in Gonzalez. 

The Scots were able to plate a run in the home half of the seventh, but the Lions' bullpen kept Maryville at bay in the eighth and ninth innings. 

ETHAN LAIL pitched a clean 1.2 innings while Ballstadt finished off the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning. 

Up next, game two of the series will be Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
--Piedmont used a four-run seventh inning to leave no doubt and claim the victory. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--ALEX GONZALEZ was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. 

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.