Piedmont University Athletics

NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Huntingdon 11, Piedmont 3 (F/6)
Game 2 Score: Piedmont 7, LaGrange 1
Record: Piedmont, 26-15

OXFORD, Ala. - Piedmont softball will move on to Friday at the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament, avoiding elimination with a decisive 7-1 victory over LaGrange on Thursday night after falling to Huntingdon to start the day.

Piedmont actually led the Hawks briefly, before the Huntingdon offense came to life to send the Lions into a late night elimination game against LaGrange. Despite falling behind 1-0 going into the fifth inning of game two, Piedmont's offense exploded for six runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth to win going away.

Game 1: Huntingdon 11, Piedmont 3 (F/6)

Faced with the tall task of going up against CCS Pitcher of the Year Allie Roberts, Piedmont plated the game's first run in the opening frame. After Mandi Peretti reached base and advanced to second on an Anslee Saunchegraw ground out, freshman Ellie Lenz drove her in with an RBI single up the middle for the game's first run.

However, the Hawks added two runs in the bottom of the second to retake the lead at 2-1.

Piedmont continued the back-and-forth, with the top of the order due up for the second time against Roberts, the trio of Maddi Spieks, Peretti and Saunchegraw all reached base, prompting a Huntingdon pitching change. While the Lions scratched across the tying run on an RBI groundout from Valerie Bailey, that was all they could get, and the Hawks escaped a big inning.

From there, Huntingdon's bats awoke, scoring three times in the third, two more in the fourth, and finally, a four-run bottom of the sixth to end the game by run rule.

Game 2: Piedmont 7, LaGrange 1

Needing a win against LaGrange to stave off elimination, the Lions received an excellent pitching performance from Taylor Spivey, who held the Panthers offense in check while the offense emerged late.

Spivey tossed a complete game gem, scattering 10 hits and allowing just one unearned run to go with a pair of strikeouts.

Offensively, the Lions were held in check, stranding five runners over their first four frames at the dish. 

The fifth inning was a different story, however, as the Lions flipped the script and gained control. Spieks doubled with one out and scored the tying run as Peretti's team-high fifth triple of the season brought her home.

From there, CCS Player and Rookie of the Year Saunchegraw drove home the go ahead run with an RBI single to right field. The line continued to move as Hannah Cintron, Sarah Green and Alyssa Jarrett each delivered RBI singles.

When the dust settled, Piedmont held a 6-1 lead thanks to eight hits in the inning.

With Spivey cruising in the circle, Piedmont added one more insurance run for good measure in the sixth on an RBI single by Bailey.

Up next, the Lions will take on Belhaven tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET in an elimination game for both teams.

TURNING POINT:
- Huntingdon's relentless offense scored multiple runs in four different innings to put away game one.
- Game two saw the Lions score six times on eight hits in the decisive fifth inning against LaGrange.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Spivey tossed a complete game and allowed just one unearned run to earn the win against LaGrange.
- Peretti had multiple hits in each of the two games, including her team-leading fifth triple of the 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.