NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 2, Huntingdon 4
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 2, Huntingdon 6
Records: Piedmont, 14-15 (8-4 CCS); Huntingdon, 28-4 (11-1 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont University softball team dropped both contests against the No. 11 Hawks of Huntingdon in Saturday's CCS doubleheader. The Lions battled hard in both contests, outhitting the Hawks on the day 17-12. 

GAME 1 - Piedmont 2, Huntingdon 4

The Lions struck first in the opening contest of the day, tagging Hawks starter Allie Roberts for a run in the bottom of the first. A lead-off single from freshman Maddi Spieks followed by a bunt single from senior Kaitlin Isley put runners on with no one out. A defensive mistake from the Hawks shortly after allowed Piedmont to steal the early momentum with a 1-0 lead.

Huntingdon responded in the top of the third with a two-out single to tie the contest but the Piedmont offense came out swinging in the bottom half of the frame. Isley doubled down the right field line to start the inning and senior Kara Taylor followed with a push bunt single between the first baseman and pitcher that allowed Isley to score from second. Junior Jasmine Lowery singled to put runners on with no one down and chase Roberts from the circle. The Lions threatened to score more in the inning as sophomore Madi Cronic singled to load the bases but the offense left all three runners stranded.

In the top of the fifth, the Hawks once again leveled the contest. A pair of Piedmont errors in the infield came back to bite the Lions as an RBI sac fly to left scored the second unearned run of the game. Piedmont starter Megan Steinmeyer continued her excellent work in the circle to limit the damage to just one run in the inning.

Errors in the sixth and seventh defensively for the Lions cost them two more runs as they trailed 4-2 heading into their final half inning. Piedmont threatened to tie the game in the inning but left the bases loaded as Huntingdon escaped with a 4-2 win.

GAME 2 - Piedmont 2, Huntingdon 6

Piedmont once again struck first in the contest, this time scoring the first run of the game in the bottom of the second. After a two-out double from Cronic, freshman Alyssa Jarrett singled down the left field line, scoring Cronic.

The contest turned downhill for the Lions in the top of the fourth. An error, walk and a single loaded the bases for the Hawks as an ensuing single tied the game at 1-1. A second single gave Huntingdon a 2-1 lead before a sacrifice fly scored the third run of the inning. With two gone, a second error and another single single pushed the lead to six and chased Piedmont starter Riley Ford from the game. Ford exited with just one earned run given up.

There were chances for the home squad to get back into the game but the Lions left five runners stranded in the final three frames and scored just one more lone run in the bottom of the sixth. A small Piedmont comeback was quickly snuffed out in the seventh to close the contest 6-2.


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Piedmont outhit the Hawks in Game 1, 9-6. 
--There were 8 combined defensive miscues in Game 1.
--The Lions also outhit the Hawks in Game 2, 8-6. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Kaitlin Isley went 3-4 with a run scored in Game 1.
--Kara Taylor notched the lone RBI in Game 1 while going 2-4.
--Megan Steinmeyer gave up 4 runs on 6 hits in the first contest, with just one of the runs being earned. 
--Kennedy Votava went 2-3 in Game 2. 

UP NEXT:
--Piedmont has a quick turnaround, taking on LaGrange in a CCS doubleheader Sunday afternoon. 

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