NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 9, LaGrange 4
Records: Piedmont, 27-13; LaGrange, 18-22 

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Piedmont baseball used a strong start from Zeke Swartz and a relentless offense to take down LaGrange 9-4 in its opening game of the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament Wednesday night in Maryville, Tennessee.

Playing in the final game of day one, the Lions erase a 3-1 deficit with a three-run fifth inning to turn the game in their favor. From that point on, Piedmont's offense continued to add on, scoring three more times in the sixth and adding single runs in the seventh and eighth to run away from the Panthers.

On the day he was named CCS PItcher of the Year, Swartz delivered another trademark standout performance, earning the win with a 7.0 inning effort that saw him punch out eight LaGrange batters while allowing just four hits and three runs (two earned).

The offensive star for the Lions was freshman designated hitter Carter Few, who tied his season high with four hits. He was the only Lion with multiple hits in the contest and paced the team with three RBI.

Despite recording just seven total hits and leaving eight runners on base, the Lions were able to take advantage of five LaGrange errors to build a substantial lead in the middle and late innings.

Andrew Misirly entered in relief of Swartz in the eighth and polished off the win, allowing one run over the final two frames.

Up next, the Lions will face No. 2 seed Belhaven which rolled 16-1 over Huntingdon on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. as it will be the third and final game of the day.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont took the lead for good with a three-run fifth inning that included just one hit but three LaGrange errors.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES: 
- Few delivered his second four-hit performance of the season, also driving in three runs.
- Swartz lived up to his Pitcher of the Year status with a 7.0 inning performance and eight strikeouts.


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