NEED TO KNOW:
Score: (#20) Piedmont 4, Greensboro 1
Records: (#20) Piedmont (28-9); Greensboro (26-12)
DEMOREST, Ga. – Another steady performance from starting pitcher
MARTINA MALOCH led the 20
th-ranked Piedmont University softball team to victory on day two of the USA South Tournament on Friday.
Maloch and the Lady Lions defeated the second-seeded Greensboro Pride 4-1 in game four of the Piedmont bracket to improve to 2-0 in the tournament and guarantee themselves a shot at the bracket championship on Saturday.
Piedmont had to face the USA South Pitcher of the Year in Greensboro's Cheyanne Cox on Friday, but the Lady Lions wasted no time in making her uncomfortable.
A leadoff single from
REBEKAH STEGMAYER got the bottom of the first inning started before
KAITLIN ISLEY attempted a sacrifice bunt to move her to second. Isley's bunt bounced right back to Cox, who misfired on her throw to first to allow both runners to move into scoring position.
Piedmont took advantage of the error as
KARA TAYLOR lifted a sac fly to right before
EMMA MCBRAYER laced an RBI single to put the Lady Lions up 2-0 early on in the game.
That run support would have been enough on its own for Maloch who pitched her fifth complete game in a row on Friday. Maloch allowed just one earned run in the fourth inning on an RBI single from M'Kenzie Davis while surrendering just five hits in the game.
Maloch struck out just two Pride hitters in the game as her defense made plays behind her and did not commit and error.
The Lady Lions responded to that lone Greensboro run in the fourth with a run of their own in the bottom half. After drawing a two-out walk,
TAYLOR BUCKNER stole second base during the next-at bat to move into scoring position.
That attempt to manufacture a run would pay off as
DREW GRAHAM delivered with an RBI single through the left side to push the advantage to 3-1.
Piedmont added another insurance run in the fifth by taking advantage of another Greensboro mistake. Stegmayer led off the inning with a double and worked her way to third with two outs before the first pitch to McBrayer sailed to the backstop, allowing Stegmayer to come home and push the Piedmont lead to 4-1, where Maloch ultimately kept it through the end of the game.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
-
REBEKAH STEGMAYER went 2-for-3 at the plate on Friday with a double, two runs scored, and a stolen base to lead the charge once again.
- Maloch pitched another complete game while allowing just one earned run on five hits and two strikeouts.
UP NEXT:
- Piedmont will square off with Methodist, who staved off elimination twice on Friday, at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Game seven of the bracket (if necessary) will immediately follow.
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.
