NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 10, Maryville 9
Records: Piedmont, 12-5; Maryville 10-7
 

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Piedmont baseball scored four runs in the eighth inning to rally past Maryville 10-9 Saturday and clinch the series.

The ball was flying in Tennessee as the teams combined for four home runs, but the Lions' pitching staff held strong, allowing just two runs in the final three innings while the offense stole the lead back.

Maryville opened the scoring with a two-run homer off Drew O'Neill. The freshman struggled for the Lions, but the offense stood behind their pitcher and the bats got working.

The third started slow for the Lions after two quick outs, but a Cody Funk walk put the bat in the hands of Davin Miller. Miller took a 2-2 pitch deep to right field to tie the game at 2. Piedmont didn't stop there as the top of the lineup continued to produce. An error and a single brought up Cruz Mullinix, who singled through the right side, bringing home Cole Ellis and giving the Lions a one-run lead. O'Neill took the ball in the bottom half of the inning and pitched a scoreless frame.

The Scots tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, scoring just one, but rallied again in the fifth.

Maryville opened with a double and stacked baserunners, bringing home three runs in the inning and creating a three-run deficit for the Lions to climb. 

The Lions' offense remained quiet during the middle innings while the Scots continued to add on. 

Ben Homansky relieved O'Neill for the sixth inning and allowed a solo home run giving Maryville a 7-3 lead.

Down by four, Piedmont started its comeback in the seventh. With the top of the order due up, Funk led off with a double, and Miller followed with a single. After Funk stole third, Cole Ellis doubled to center, scoring Funk and moving Miller to third. With two runners on and outs to work with, Carter Few and Mullinix brought home two runs on back-to-back sacrifice flies. Piedmont's seventh-inning rally ended with the Lions scoring three and making it a one-run game once again.

Lucas Tritt took to the mound for the Lions and faced traffic but escaped the inning, allowing no runs.

Piedmont's offense found fire again in the top of the eighth with another rally. Justin Shaffer got the inning started with a double and brought up the top of the Lions lineup. Miller came through yet again, doubling home Shaffer and growing the Lions' lead. Piedmont loaded the bases for Mullinix, who picked up an RBI on a walk and with two outs, Jack Ryan singled to left, bringing home Few and Mullinix, giving the Lions a 10-7 lead. 

With a three-run lead, Piedmont turned to Luke Manry to lock down a six-out save. Maryville wasn't done yet as they put runners on for Manry to contend with. The Scots brought home a pair of runs to build the tension, making it a one-run game again.

Piedmont could not find insurance in the top half of the inning, sending Manry to the ninth with the slimmest of margins. 

Manry was up to the task, striking out the side and slamming the door on the Scots. 

Piedmont picked up its first CCS series win of the season with its impressive offense taking charge. The top of the lineup continues to be a terrifying trio for opposing pitchers.

The Lions will look for the series sweep on Sunday, at 1 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- The Lions' eighth-inning rally that gave them the lead.
- Manry's shutdown ninth inning that closed the game for the Lions.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES: 
- The top three in Piedmont's lineup went a combined 6 for 12 with four RBIs while scoring seven total runs. Cody Funk spearheads the lineup with a .485 batting average on the season.
- Davin Miller slugged his second homer of the year, as he is now tied with Carter Few for the team lead.
- Manry picked up the six-out save in the contest, punctuated with his shutdown ninth, where he struck out the side in order.

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