NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 16, Wesleyan 8 (F/6)
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 10, Wesleyan 2 (F/5)
Records: Piedmont, 15-9 (6-0 CCS); Wesleyan, 1-15 (0-4 CCS)
DEMOREST, Ga. - Behind a powerful offensive attack, Piedmont softball delivered two more run-rule wins, sweeping Wesleyan in a CCS doubleheader on Sunday afternoon in Demorest.
The Lions saw their offense come to life late in a back-and-forth game one battle before Piedmont was able to take control in the early going of game two.
Game 1: Piedmont 16, Wesleyan 8 (F/6)
After a scoreless first inning, both offenses came to life in the second. The Wolves plated four runs in the top of the second and chased Piedmont starting pitcher
Megan Steinmeyer from the game with Steinmeyer coming off of Saturday's no-hitter against Agnes Scott.
The Lions were not trailing long, as they answered with five runs in the second inning. RBI triples from both
Maddi Spieks and
Mandi Peretti accounted for three of the five runs in the frame.
The back-and-forth continued in the third, however, with the relentless Wesleyan offense adding four more runs against Piedmont reliever
Summer McCranie to go back in front.
Once again, the Lions rallied back, this time scoring four times to retake the lead, highlighted by an RBI single from
Heartly Nepveux to get the scoring started while both
Jasmine Lowery and Peretti delivered sacrifice flies with Peretti's putting Piedmont up 9-8 to conclude the scoring in that frame.
Taylor Spivey entered in the top of the fourth inning and slammed the door shut on the Wesleyan offense, holding it scoreless the rest of the way while the Piedmont offense continued to pour it on.
The Lions were able to tack on five more runs in the fifth inning to gain a little breathing room before ending the game in run-rule fashion on a Nepveux steal of home to make it a 16-8 final in six innings.
Overall, five Lions in the contest had at least two hits, with
Kennedy Votava going 3-for-3 with four runs scored. Spieks was 3-for-4 with three RBI out of the leadoff spot while Peretti went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored with a walk.
Hannah Cintron was also a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, adding two walks as well to reach in all four plate appearances.
Game 2: Piedmont 10, Wesleyan 2
Game two saw the Lions wrestle control of the contest early on, plating six runs. The big hit was from the freshman Peretti, who laced a ball into the left field corner and raced all the way around the bases for an inside-the-park grand slam.
That was more than enough to hold up for Spivey, who earned the win while allowing just five hits, two runs with a pair of strikeouts in the five inning complete game.
Needing three more runs to end the game on offense in the bottom of the fifth, Piedmont was able to accomplish the task without even making an out, as Votava led off with a double, followed by an RBI single from Nepveux to make it 8-2. Peretti then delivered her third extra base hit and second triple of the game to score Nepveux. Then, in fitting fashion, it was Peretti who dashed home on a wild pitch to end the contest in the fifth with a 10-2 final margin.
Up next, the Lions will step out of conference, hosting Centre in Demorest this Wednesday, March 26 at 2 and 4 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
- In game one, the Lions scored multiple runs in four the six innings in which they batted, punctuated by a five-run fifth to put the game away.
- Game two saw Piedmont blitz the Wolves with a six-run second inning highlighted by Peretti's inside-the-park grand slam.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Peretti's batting average currently sits at .493 after a four-hit, seven RBI performance Sunday that included two triples and her second home run of the season.
- Votava went 4-for-4 on the day with six runs scored.
- Spivey earned the win in the circle in both contests, moving to 8-2 on the season.
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.
