NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 9, Brevard 1 F/5
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 7, Brevard 5

Piedmont (11-7); Brevard (8-10)
 

DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont softball picked up the sweep with two solid offensive performances against Brevard.

Game 1: Piedmont 9, Brevard 1 F/5

The Lions scored early and often, bringing home runs in the first, second and third to race out to a 9-1 lead.

After scoring in the first, the Lions added on with a three-run second. Anslee Saunchegraw brought home two runs with a double as the freshman continues a strong rookie campaign.

Piedmont took advantage of a Tornado error in the third inning to set up the big blow, the big swing coming off the bat of Maddi Spieks, who doubled home a pair, pushing the Lions' lead to 9-1.

Jacy Vickery threw the ball well on the other side, allowing just one unearned run while picking up a season-high seven strikeouts, leading to a Lions' run rule victory in game one. 

Game 2: Piedmont 7, Brevard 5

Taylor Spivey started in game two and was solid for the Lions across three innings. 

The Piedmont bats continued their scoring streak with two runs in the second inning and another run in the third.

Spivey ran into trouble in the top of the fourth inning. The Tornadoes started their rally with a leadoff single and continued putting runners on. Four runs would come to score against Spivey before the Lions turned to the bullpen to bring on Jalyn McGee. Another run came across in the inning, but McGee was able to stifle the rally, holding Brevard to five. 

The Lions' bats stayed hot with another rally in the bottom of the fourth. Madison Hawkins brought home Mandi Peretti on an RBI single and later came around to score, tying the game on a Bailee Davis RBI single.

McGee shut down the Tornadoes in the top of the fifth and sent the Lions back to the plate with an opportunity to retake the lead.

Anslee Saunchegraw led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a Valerie Bailey bunt single. The Lions' savvy base running paid off again as Bailey got caught in a rundown, allowing Saunchegraw to come home and score, giving Piedmont the lead once again. 

The Lions scored again in the bottom of the sixth, giving them an important insurance run and a 7-5 lead.

Jalyn McGee entered the circle in the top of the seventh looking to close out the game for the Lions. The freshman got the first out of the inning on a strikeout but allowed a single to the next batter. With the tying run at the plate, McGee quickly got the next two outs to end the game and secure the sweep for Piedmont.

The Lions pick up their first home doubleheader sweep of the season as they prepare for conference play.

Next up, Piedmont will travel to Kentucky to open CCS play against Asbury on Friday, March 20, with game one set for 12 p.m.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Mandi Peretti went 5-6 on the day, scoring three runs for the Lions.
- Jalyn McGee entered in relief and shut down Brevard for the rest of game two, earning the win.

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