NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 6, Maryville 3
Records: Piedmont, 18-20-1 (9-9 USA South); Maryville, 22-16 (7-11 USA South)

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - In a vitally important season finale, the Piedmont baseball team prevailed 6-3 to earn a series sweep at Maryville on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman left-hander ZEKE SWARTZ was outstanding on the mound, firing 6.0 innings of five hit, two run ball with eight strikeouts, earning his second win of the season.

Piedmont struck early with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and held the lead the rest of the way, totaling 11 hits without making an error. 

The Lions parlayed three first inning doubles into a pair of runs as ALEX GONZALEZ started the rally with a one-out ground rule double before CARTER BALLSTADT drove him home as he split the gap in left-center field. Two batters later, GRANT OLSON remained hot at the plate, trading places with Ballstadt with a two-out double down the right field line.

Swartz was cruising in the early going, allowing just three baserunners through his first five innings of work, setting down the Scots 1-2-3 in the second and third. The Piedmont offense was able to give Swartz a little breathing room in the middle innings, tacking on two more runs in the fourth off an RBI single by DUKE WODETZKI and  a throwing error from Maryville.

After Swartz departed with a 4-2 lead heading to the seventh, the Lions responded immediately with two more runs in the seventh and just like the first inning, it was RBI's from Ballstadt and Olson that did the trick.

Piedmont's bullpen was lights out over the final three frames as freshman ETHAN LAIL delivered a perfect seventh before giving way to Ballstadt to get the final six outs and earn the save.

The win concludes Piedmont's USA South slate with a 9-9 record as it will take the No. 4 seed in the West Division and qualify for the USA South Conference Tournament.

TURNING POINT:
- Leading 2-0 in the early going, starting pitcher ZEKE SWARTZ held the Maryville offense in check early, delivering a quality start in the final game of the regular season.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- After only lasting 2.0 innings in a Tuesday start at No. 3 BSC, Swartz bounced back Sunday, holding the Scots in check to earn his second win of the season.
- Ballstadt and Olson each delivered a pair of hits and RBI in the win.
- Gonzalez continued his hot stretch to end the season, with two runs scored to lead the team.

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.