NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 2, Maryville 0
Game 2 Score: Piedmont x, Maryville x
Records: Piedmont, 18-10 (7-3 CCS); Maryville, 19-13 (4-4 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont softball was back in action with a CCS doubleheader for the second straight day and delivered a sweep in a pair of close wins against Maryville on Friday afternoon in Demorest.

The Lions used a dominant pitching performance from Taylor Spivey and just enough offense to take game one before a big fourth inning lifted them over the Scots in game two.



 

The rookies getting it done ?? pic.twitter.com/XOXaMsqQyN

— Piedmont Lions Softball (@PiedmontSB) April 3, 2026

Game 1: Piedmont 2, Maryville 0

Spivey was dominant in the circle and eventually settled in, but the Scots threatened in the first frame, loading the bases after two outs were recorded. However, Spivey escaped the trouble, stranding three runners and began to find her groove.

She retired a string of nine consecutive hitters until a one-out single in the top of the fourth from Maryville. After the first inning, just two total runners even reached second base for Maryville.

While the offense was slow to start, the Lions capitalized on their late opportunity, pushing across a pair of runs in the decisive bottom of the sixth inning.

Ansee Saunchegraw got the rally started, lacing a leadoff double before moving to third as Valerie Bailey reached first on an error. Hannah Cintron then delivered what turned out to be the only run the Lions needed, laying down a sacrifice bunt to bring Saunchegraw across the plate.

Coming off the bench, freshman Ellie Lenz lined a double to left center to bring home Bailey, a key insurance run.

Although Spivey hit the leadoff hitter in the seventh, that was the only baserunner the Scots could manage and the Lions took game one.

Game 2: Piedmont 6, Maryville 3

The Scots responded from the game one loss with a strong start to game two, striking for three runs over the first two frames. However, Piedmont starting pitcher Maile Dunn limited the damage, stranding three runners over those two innings to keep Piedmont in the game.

The offense came to life late for the second game in a row, starting with putting a run on the board in the third inning. Saunchegraw led off with a single and her standout baserunning took it from there, as she stole second before scoring from second on a Valerie Bailey single.

Now trailing by just a single run, the fourth inning proved to be the difference. Three of the first four Lions that came to the plate reached base as a Maddi Spieks walk loaded the bases and forced a Maryville pitching change.

Mandi Peretti stepped in and took four straight balls to cut the deficit to 3-2 on a walk. That set the stage for Saunchegraw, who came through in the clutch with a two-run single that gave the Lions their first lead of the contest. Piedmont tacked on one more run in the decisive fourth inning to take a two run lead and then added an extra insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single from Peretti that brought Madison Hawkins to the plate.

Taking over for fellow freshman Dunn in the circle, Jalyn McGee tossed scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh to lock down the win and earn her second save of the season.

Up next, the Lions will step out of conference and host Johnson & Wales (NC) in Demorest next Wednesday, April 8 at 1 and 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont scored the only two runs it needed in the bottom of the sixth in game one.
- The Lions turned a two-run deficit into a two-run lead with a decisive four-run fourth inning.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Piedmont's pitching was outstanding in both games, propelled by Spivey's game one complete game shutout.
- The freshman duo of Dunn and McGee were rock solid in game two, holding the Scots scoreless over the final five innings.
- Saunchegraw had a hit in game one and two more hits in game two to add to her impressive debut season.

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 on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.