NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 8, Randolph-Macon 5
Records: Piedmont, 1-3; RMC, 1-2
DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont University baseball team earned its first victory of the season in come-from-behind fashion with an 8-5 win over Randolph-Macon Friday. The Lions trailed 3-0 in the fifth and by one in the seventh inning before an impressive home half in the seventh to claim the lead.
It was a pitcher's duel early through the first four innings as the game remained scoreless and RMC didn't record a hit off
Zeke Swartz until the fourth inning. Piedmont threatened early with two hits in the second and left the bases loaded, but it was the Yellow Jackets who would capitalize first.
In the fifth inning, RMC took the lead on three hits and an error, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. The Lions were able to answer in the home half of the inning with a run off the Yellow Jackets' first reliever making it 3-1.
Swartz worked a quick 1-2-3 inning in the sixth to end his day with six innings pitched allowing three runs, four hits and four walks. Swartz also struck out six as he leads Piedmont in total strikeouts this season.
The Lions then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth as the Yellow Jackets again went to the bullpen. Piedmont scored three runs on two hits with three walks and a hit by pitch in the frame.
Nathan Mix broke the tie at three with an RBI groundout to drive in
Isaak Mullanack making it 4-3.
Nathan Boyce entered in the seventh and gave up the go-ahead runs as Randolph-Macon led 5-4 after the top half, but Piedmont was not done.
A pair of hits drove in the tying run as
Tyler Nelson doubled to send in
Trace Cate and it was once again Mix who proved to be the man of the hour. With two outs and the bases loaded, Mix singled to score a pair and an error sent home one more on what turned out to be a bases-clearing play that put Mix at third.
Jackson Randolph entered to pitch a clean eighth for Piedmont and
Braden Simms closed it out in the ninth earning a save.
Nathan Boyce earned the win as Piedmont took the lead in the bottom of the seventh.
The Lions will take on Hanover on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Jug.
TURNING POINT:
--In the bottom of the seventh, Piedmont scored four runs on three hits and an error to take the lead 8-5, the eventual final score.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--
Nathan Mix hit a 2-RBI single in the seventh inning that proved to be the game-winning hit on a play that plated three runs after an error tacked on one more.
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.
