NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 3, No. 12 Belhaven 2 F/9
Game 2 Score: No. 12 Belhaven 4, Piedmont 2
Records: Piedmont, 21-11 (9-1 CCS); No. 12 Belhaven 23-7 (10-2 CCS)
DEMOREST, Ga. - It took extra innings but Piedmont softball earned a split against No. 12 Belhaven on Friday with a 3-2 win in game one before a 4-2 loss in game two.
Game 1: Piedmont 3, No. 12 Belhaven 2 F/9
The Lions were off to a hot start with a pair of runs in the first inning, jumping on top of Belhaven quickly.
Maddi Spieks singled up the middle and
Jasmine Lowery drove her in with a triple to left making it 1-0 three batters in.
Megan Steinmeyer was moved up into the order and an RBI ground out brought in Lowery. Those were the only two runs for the Lions despite totaling eight hits in regulation.
Belhaven was stifled early as Steinmeyer allowed just one hit until the fifth inning. The Blazers scored their first run off an error in the third inning to cut it to 2-1, and in the fifth, a walk and a pair of singles tied the contest at two apiece.
In extras, Belhaven threatened in the eighth with the bases loaded and one away, but a pop up and a fly out ended the jam.
In the bottom of the ninth,
Madi Cronic singled to start the inning and
Jordyn Green was hit by a pitch to put two on with no outs.
Heartly Nepveux singled to center field to load the bases and put
Mandi Peretti at the plate.
Peretti drove one deep enough to center field to bring around Cronic for the game winning run to take the contest in nine innings.
Game 2:
The Blazers did not waste any time in game two with an explosive start, chasing Piedmont starting pitcher
Taylor Spivey after just three batters. Belhaven put up a three spot with back-to-back home runs by the second and third batters of the game.
Logan Hawkins entered in relief and limited the damage though the Blazers added another run in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead. However, that was the only run Hawkins allowed as she threw 7.0 innings and allowed just the one run on six hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Piedmont was able to scratch across single runs in the third and fourth inning, taking advantage of a pair of Belhaven errors in the fourth.
However, once the Blazers turned to game one starter Belle West, the Piedmont offense was unable to mount a significant rally, with West retiring the Lions 1-2-3 to close the door in the ninth.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS:
- Spieks totaled five hits on the day, going 3-for-4 in game one before a 2-for-4 performance in game two.
- Lowery added three hits on the day including a 2-for-4 performance in game two.
-
Hannah Cintron was rock solid at third base while also contributing three hits over the two games.
- Hawkins tossed 7.0 innings and allowed just one run in game two, limiting the damage and keeping the Lions in the game.
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont's game one win over Belhaven marked its first win over the Blazers since they joined the CCS.
- The Lions knocked off a pair of top-20 wins during the week, also prevailing in game one at No. 19 Berry on Wednesday.
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
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