NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 3, LaGrange 0
Game 2 Score: LaGrange 4, Piedmont 2
Records: Piedmont (16-10, 5-3); LaGrange (10-18, 5-3)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont University softball team picked up a shutout in their first game against the LaGrange Panthers while falling, despite a seventh-inning rally, in game two.

Game 1: Piedmont 3, LaGrange 0

Piedmont showed its pitching might in game one with Taylor Spivey in the circle.

The Lions loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first, and Valerie Bailey chased home a run with an RBI single, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Piedmont was unable to cause any more damage as the Panthers limited the offense to just one run.

Spivey returned to the circle and held the Panthers off balance, continuing to keep LaGrange off the board.

In the fourth, Madison Hawkins reached on a one-out single and stole second and third. With two outs, Mandi Peretti at the plate, the Lions center fielder chopped a ball to the shortstop deep enough to leg out an infield single and add to the Lions' lead. Peretti utilized her speed once more, stealing second and reaching third on an error. Anslee Saunchegraw drove a ball on the base of the wall in center, bringing home Peretti and giving the Lions a 3-0 lead.

Now pitching with a larger cushion, Spivey continued to pitch well and shut down the Panthers for the remainder of the game.

Game 2: LaGrange 4, Piedmont 2

After a shutout in game one, the Lions sent Maile Dunn to the circle for game two. On the opposite end, the Panthers tabbed Jenna Yeary with the game two start.

The two pitchers traded zeros through the first three innings until the Lions rallied in the bottom of the fourth.

Maddi Spieks reached on a leadoff single and later came around to score on a Valerie Bailey RBI single.

Piedmont scored again in the bottom of the fifth as Madison Hawkins brought home Brianna Logue. 

With a 2-0 lead, Dunn pitched into the sixth, where she ran into trouble and allowed a run. Looking to limit the damage, Piedmont turned back to game one starter Taylor Spivey to shut down the Panther rally. Spivey came through, sending the Lions to the bottom of the sixth with a one-run lead.

Anslee Saunchegraw led off the inning with a hustle triple but was thrown out as the Lions attempted an early steal of home. The Lions could not bring any insurance runs across in the inning, sending them to the seventh still, with a one-run lead. 

The Panthers immediately started a rally in the top of the inning with the first three baserunners reaching. With the bases loaded, LaGrange hit a single, bringing home a run and tying the game at two. The Panthers still threatened with the bases loaded, putting pressure on the Lions' defense. Piedmont allowed two more runs to score as the Panthers took the lead going to the bottom of the seventh.

Piedmont loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with one out. After a strikeout, the bat was put in the hands of Anslee Saunchegraw. On a 1-0 count, the freshman struck the ball well to center but right in line with the fielder, ending the game.

Piedmont earned a split against strong pitching on the day as it prepares for upcoming strong competition.

Next, the Lions welcome the Maryville Scots for doubleheader action tomorrow, April 3, at 12 p.m.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Spivey shut out the Panthers in game one, leading the Lions to a win.
- Bailey went 4-6 on the day with two RBIs.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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