NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 9, Huntingdon 6
Records: Piedmont, 23-10 (9-4 CCS); Huntingdon, 17-14 (6-7)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - In the final road series of the year, Piedmont baseball started on the right foot with a 9-6 win at Huntingdon on Thursday.

Piedmont was on the board in the second inning following a walk and a pair of singles. With two in scoring position, Tyler Nelson hit a 2-RBI single to drive in Kyle Carlson and Cruz Mullinix for a 2-0 lead. 

In the fourth, Piedmont loaded the bases after three straight walks but when Huntingdon starter Jacob McFarling did find the zone, Ben Connelly hit a grand slam for his first home run of his career. Piedmont took a 6-0 lead after four. 

Zeke Swartz allowed just two hits through five innings of work, but the Hawks tacked on three runs on two hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Piedmont threatened in the seventh with runners on the corners with two away and a balk allowed Carlson to score making it 7-3 at the stretch. 

Swartz was coming off a complete game 9.0 IP against LaGrange last weekend and went 7.1 Thursday running into trouble in the eighth inning. Swartz surrendered two runs and left with runners on the corners and a 7-5 lead as Layne Ayers entered in relief. 

A sac fly scored one more making it a one run game heading to the ninth. A Cole Ellis lead-off triple helped the Lions secure a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth as it went triple, sac fly and déjà vu hit with Carlson hitting a triple to set up another sac fly. 

Braden Simms entered to close out the ninth inning pitching the final inning of work allowing two hits to earn his eighth save of the season. Simms allowed a pair of runners but struck out the final two batters he faced. 

Up next, game two of the series will be Friday in Montgomery. 

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont held a one-run lead heading into the ninth but a pair of triples helped secure insurance runs to seal the win for the Lions. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES: 
- Ben Connelly's first home run of his career will always be a memorable one with a grand slam in the fourth inning. 

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.