GAME 1
Piedmont 13, Berea 1
Methodist (18-6) (9-3)
Berea College (7-13) (3-7)
GAME 2
Piedmont 15, Berea 5
Methodist (19-6) (10-3)
Berea College (7-14) (3-8)
GAME 3
Piedmont 14, Berea 1
Methodist (20-6) (11-3)
Berea College (7-15) (3-9)
BEREA, KY- The Berea baseball team hosted conference opponent Piedmont College for a three game series over the course of three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The two teams came into the series competing for postseason play (the top finishing 8 teams advance to the USA South conference tournament). Piedmont holds onto the top spot in the conference standings; while Berea ranks 10th. The Lions went onto sweep the Mountaineers in the weekend stint.
GAME 1
Piedmont 13, Berea 1
Methodist (18-6) (9-3)
Berea College (7-13) (3-7)
Game 1 featured Berea's senior pitcher Griffen Norris. The righty gave Berea a quality start, posting 5.0 innings pitched, but the Mountaineers failed to get the victory. Grant Cobb, Michael Gill, and Logan Gayheart followed in Norris's effort, finishing the next three innings. The Mountaineer offense couldn't get the bats going, and scored only 1 run on 6 hits. Berea matched the lions 2nd inning run, with a run of their own in the 3rd, but never got things clicking again. As the game progressed, errors and unearned runs haunted the Mountaineers on their quest for victory. Piedmont won the contest, 13-1 in 8 innings.
Notable Performances-
Griffen Norris: 5 IP, 4 ER, 3 K's
Isaac Peters: 1-3, 1 RBI
Andrew Akins: 2-2, 3B, 1 Run
GAME 2
Piedmont 15, Berea 5
Methodist (19-6) (10-3)
Berea College (7-14) (3-8)
The second contest was more of the same for the Mountaineers. The bats came to play but the Lion's damage had been dealt early on. Josh Wilson got the start for Berea, but did not have his best performance. Throughout the tough outing, the Senior pitcher showed grit and fought with his veteran presence. After his 4 innings, four more Berea pitchers (Aaron Duncan, Dylan Sallee, Matt Wilburn, and Zach Perrin) relieved. The Lions got after it early and often, but the Mountaineers made a rally in the 5th; they cut the score to 2 (7-5), but the Lions pumped up 4 more runs in the top of the 6th Piedmont 15, Berea 5.
Notable Performances-
T.C. Eads: 4-5, 2 Runs
Cam Dacci: 2-3, 2 RBI's
GAME 3
Piedmont 14, Berea 1
Methodist (20-6) (11-3)
Berea College (7-15) (3-9)
The Sunday finale was the same story for the two teams. Berea gave Piedmont too many opportunities, and the Lions gladly used them for the taking. Brendan Grider tossed the first 5 innings for the Mountaineers. The Freshman showed good maturity through the tough conditions; Piedmont strung 10 hits through the first 5 innings. Baylor Manier was up next and tossed 1.1. Finally, Bryce Wallingford pitched 0.2. The Lions won the final contest 14-1 in 7 innings.
The men will look to respond in the coming week. Tuesday, the team hosts Centre College for the 4th matchup with the Colonels this season. Berea will head to face Pfieffer University that will feature a Saturday double header, followed by a single contest on Sunday.