NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont, 3; Centre 2
Records: Piedmont, 31-13; Centre 31-14
DANVILLE, Ky. - Piedmont baseball announced its presence in the regional round with a one-run victory over the hosting Centre Colonels.
In a tight bout between the two squads, No. 2-seeded Piedmont showed its dominance on the mound and timeliness in the batter's box to secure the win.
The reigning CCS Pitcher of the Year, Andrew Misirly, took to the mound for the Lions and held the Colonel lineup at bay, giving the Piedmont order a chance to find the board.
The Lions' early offense was on display again as the squad found the board in the bottom of the second inning on a single by John Dickerson.
Centre struck back in the top of the third with a run of its own, evening the game at one.
Misirly ran into trouble in the fifth, letting up an RBI double and giving the Colonels their first lead of the day.
Misirly pitched the remaining inning and was lifted after the seventh. The sophomore left the game after striking out five on the day, allowing just the two runs across the afternoon.
In the late innings, the Lions' lineup got to work. After Misirly's impressive day, Davin Miller led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, followed by a Ben Bodoh double, chasing the center starter from the game. With two on, John Dickerson tied the game with a sacrifice squeeze play, advancing the runner to third with one out. The top of the lineup brought Cody Funk to the plate, and after a full count battle, Funk laced a ball for a double, vaulting Piedmont into the lead once again.
With the final two innings in the hand of the bullpen, Averett Thompson was the first out for the Lions and worked a scoreless eighth, setting up Luke Manry in the ninth looking for his 10th save of the season.
With two on and one away, the center batter sent a ball to the warning track in right field, but a superb route from Funk allowed him to secure the second out. Manry settled back in and collected the final out via a strikeout, advancing the Lions to the winner's bracket.
The Lions outlasted their opponent with superior pitching and timely hitting on the day.
Next, the Lions play Wash U in the winner's bracket tomorrow, May 16, at 2:30 p.m.
Turning Point:
- Funk's eighth-inning double that gave the Lions the lead.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Misirly twirled once again for the Lions, setting the team up for a strong second day in Kentucky.
- John Dickerson logged two RBIs on the day, giving a boost to the Lions' 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 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.
