NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 4, Salem 3
Game 2 Score: Piedmont, 10, Salem 8 (F/9)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Piedmont softball began its marathon road trip to North Carolina with a doubleheader sweep at Salem on Wednesday afternoon in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The Lions came up clutch in both games, winning a one-run battle in game one before battling the Spirits and coming out on top in extra innings of game two.

Game 1: Piedmont 4, Salem 3

The Lions used another standout pitching performance from Jacy Vickery and a late-inning rally to turn the tide and take game one by a 4-3 margin.

Vickery delivered a solid performance in the circle going 4.0 innings and allowing two hits, two runs and striking out four before giving way to Maile Dunn, who then gave way to Jalyn McGee. McGee picked up her first career win, throwing the final 3.0 innings and shutting down the Spirits, allowing just one hit, no runs and striking out two.

Madison Hawkins played a role in Piedmont jumping out to a 2-0 lead as Vickery shut down Salem until the fifth. Leading 2-0, the Lions allowed Salem to score three times, on a walk, a single and a sacrifice fly.

Trailing 3-2 and down to their final out, Valerie Bailey drew a walk, setting the stage for freshman Ellie Lenz, who delivered a clutch, two RBI single to give the Lions a 4-3 lead. 

McGee then continued her dominant performance in the circle, setting down Salem 1-2-3 in the seventh to seal the win for Piedmont.

Game 2: Piedmont 10, Salem 8 (F/9)

Seven innings were not enough to settle game two of the doubleheader, as the Lions led through much of the game, only to see Salem score six times in the seventh inning to tie the score. 

However, Piedmont was undeterred, pulling out the win in extra innings.

Piedmont struck early, with back-to-back RBI doubles from freshman Anslee Sauchegraw and Bailey making it 2-0 Piedmont after the first. Bailey brought home another run in the second while Sauchegraw continued her impressive performance with a two-run home run in the fourth, the first of her career.

Maddi Spieks added an RBI single in the fifth while Sauchegraw singled home Mandi Peretti to make it 7-1 in the top of the seventh.

Unfortunately, the Spirits did not go quietly in the seventh, striking for six runs to stun the Lions and tie the score, sending the game to extra innings.

Lenz delivered in the clutch again, driving home a run in the eighth. While the Spirits once again refused to lose, Piedmont finally put the game away with two runs in the ninth, off RBI's from Peretti and Sauchegraw.

Up next, the Lions will head to Raleigh, North Carolina to take part in the Diamond Classic. The team will play six games over three days, beginning this Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m. against Mary Baldwin.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Sauchegraw had a monster game two, going 4-for-4 with five RBI, including a home run, and two walks.
- Lenz delivered another impressive performance, delivering the game-winning two RBI single in game one and adding two hits in game two.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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