NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 7, Methodist 6
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 4, Averett 1
Record: Piedmont, 8-9; Methodist, 5-10; Averett, 8-6

RALEIGH, N.C. - Piedmont softball earned a pair of victories Sunday to conclude the Diamond Classic in Raleigh, N.C. highlighted by a walkoff win over Methodist to begin the day. 

Game 1: Piedmont 7, Methodist 6

Piedmont jumped ahead early against the Monarchs scoring in the first inning, but Methodist claimed the lead in the third. With a pair of runners in scoring position, a double through the right side drove in two to put the Lions down 3-0. 

Piedmont starter Megan Steinmeyer was replaced by Taylor Spivey in the fifth inning after allowing five runs on six hits. The Monarchs had loaded the bases in the fifth before Spivey entered and tacked on a total of four runs in the frame. 

With the Lions trailing 6-1, the offense was shut down in the bottom of the fifth with a 1-2-3 inning but came to life in the final two frames. Piedmont began the sixth at the top of the order and Mandi Peretti doubled to get the train rolling. 

Jasmine Lowery singled and a Hannah Cintron walk loaded the bases for Steinmeyer. The Lions totaled four runs on five hits to trail 6-5 heading to the seventh. Spivey kept the Lions in the mix with no base runners allowed in the top of the frame.

After nearly batting around in the sixth, it was again Peretti to lead off with a single and she was moved to second on a sac bunt by Lowery. A Cintron double tied the game with two outs and the walkoff came from Steinmeyer as Piedmont had three hits to come back and win the contest. 

Game 2: Piedmont 4, Averett 1

Game two was a quick contest taking just over an hour as Piedmont earned a 4-1 win over Averett to end the weekend. Three errors by the Cougars helped the Lions as Averett out-hit Piedmont eight to six in the game. 

The Lions jumped out in front thanks to a pair of singles and an error in the first inning, but Averett answered back with their lone run of the game in the second inning. Timely hitting for the Cougars tied the game but Piedmont reclaimed the lead in the third. 

Jasmine Lowery belted a home run down the left field line in the third inning to put the Lions ahead 2-1 and Piedmont tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning. Taylor Spivey earned the victory for her second of the day. 

Piedmont's two opponents on Sunday both were previous conference foes in the USA South. 

Up next, the Lions will return home to open CCS play on Friday, March 14 hosting Asbury at 12 & 2 p.m.

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