NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 7, Methodist 5 (F/10)
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 12, Methodist 2 (F/7)
DEMOREST, Ga. -
Ben Connelly's game one walkoff home run provided Piedmont baseball all the momentum it needed to push its winning streak to five games after a Friday doubleheader sweep against Methodist.
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Fresh off a big win over No. 9 Adrian on Wednesday, the Lions won a back-and-forth thriller over the Monarchs in game one before leaving no doubt in a run rule win in game two. It took the Lions 10 innings to win the first game, but only seven to complete the doubleheader sweep and clinch the series win.
Game 1: Piedmont 7, Methodist 5
In a game that featured four lead changes, the Lions fell behind in the early going to Methodist, which plated a single run in each of the first two innings. However, Piedmont starter
Andrew Misirly settled in from there, holding steady and pitching into the seventh inning to keep Piedmont in the game.
The offense came to life for the Lions, as they used a pair of sacrifice flies and a bases loaded hit by pitch to take a 3-2 lead, which stood until the Monarchs' Blake Freeman blasted a game-tying solo home run in the sixth.
The ball continued to fly out of Loudermilk Field, however, as reigning CCS Player of the Week
Carter Few turn a one-run Piedmont deficit into a one-run lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh.Â
While Methodist refused to go away, plating a single run in the eighth to tie the score,
Luke Manry came through in the clutch of the bullpen to limit the damage and keep the game tied.
That set the stage for Connelly's extra-inning heroics, as the sophomore second baseman launched the second pitch he saw with one on and one out in the 10th inning to win the game for the Lions. This marked the first walkoff home run for Piedmont baseball since at least 2004.
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Game 2: Piedmont 12, Methodist 2
After the numerous lead changes and momentum swings of game one, game two was a clinical offensive performance for the Lions.Â
They stunned the Monarchs with a seven-run bottom of the first, chasing their starting pitcher with just one out in the frame and sending 12 batters to the plate.
Cole Ellis,
Jack Ryan,
Logan Racine,
Justin Shaffer,
Cody Funk and
Davin Miller all drove home runs in the game-deciding opening frame.
Ryan delivered his third RBI of the day with a double in the second to push the lead to 8-0. That was more than enough for the Piedmont pitching staff, which held the Monarchs to just two runs on six hits.
Drew O'Neill started the game and went 4.2 innings, allowing just four hits and a single run. Fellow freshman
Landon May then entered and escaped trouble in the fifth inning before firing a scoreless sixth inning to earn his first career win.
After allowing Methodist to continue the game in the top of the seventh, the Lions concluded the festivities just before a thunderstorm entered the area, as
John Dickerson's infield single gave Piedmont the 12-2 run-rule victory.
Up next, the Lions look for the series sweep tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Loudermilk Field.
TURNING POINT:
- Connelly's walkoff home run sent the Lions to the game one win in 10 innings.
- Piedmont used a seven-run first inning in game two to build an insurmountable deficit.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Funk and Ryan each had three-hit performances in game two, while each of the top three in the Piedmont batting recorded multi-hit games in the second game.
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 onÂ
Twitter: @PiedmontLions,Â
Instagram: @PiedmontLions, andÂ
Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com orÂ
click here.
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