NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Lynchburg 1, Piedmont 0
Game 2 Score: William Peace 9, Piedmont 7
Record: Piedmont, 7-9; Lynchburg, 6-1; William Peace, 6-3

RALEIGH, N.C. - Piedmont softball dropped a pair of close matchups on Saturday, falling in a pitcher's duel to Lynchburg early before a 9-7 loss to William Peace closed out the afternoon on Saturday at the Diamond Classic in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Game 1: Lynchburg 1, Piedmont 0

Piedmont starting pitcher Megan Steinmeyer was excellent in the circle against the Hornets. However, she was unable to receive any run support, taking a hard-luck loss despite an outstanding effort of 6.0 innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run with a pair of strikeouts.

The Lions saw their offense stifled by Lynchburg starter Kailey Dorcsis, who fired a complete game, allowing just four hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. 

Freshman Mandi Peretti was a bright spot on the offensive end for the Lions, going 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot. Jasmine Lowery and Heartly Nepveux had a hit apiece as the other two hits for Piedmont.

After the Lions stranded a pair of runners in the top of the sixth, the Hornets parlayed a walk, stolen base and RBI double into the game's lone and decisive run, as Piedmont was unable to mount a rally in the top of the seventh.

Game 2: William Peace 9, Piedmont 7

Game two was in direct contrast to the first game, with the two teams combining for 16 runs on 23 hits and five errors.

After the Pacers opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the top of the first, Piedmont answered back immediately in the bottom of the frame, scoring three times with the last two coming on a Hannah Cintron two RBI single.

William Peace controlled the middle of the game, with a run in the third, two more in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 6-3 lead into the late innings.

However, Piedmont was up to the task, scoring four times on four hits in the bottom of the sixth to turn a three-run deficit in to a 7-6 lead. Back-to-back two out, two RBI singles by Kasey White and Cintron were the key at bats.

Unfortunately, the Pacers were able to score three times in the seventh, tying the game on an RBI double and then taking the lead on a two-run home run.

Piedmont got a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh, but left it stranded to fall 9-7.

Up next, the Lions will face Methodist and Averett to conclude the Diamond Classic on Sunday. 

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