(DEMOREST, Ga. )- The Piedmont baseball team used a big first inning and strong pitching to take the finale of its series with Emory 6-1 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Loudermilk Field.

The Lions began the day with an offensive onslaught, putting up five runs before Emory’s Ryan Reynolds recorded the first out. Kaden Stephenson was hit by a pitch to start the game and was followed by a Tyler Nelson walk and a Trace Cate infield single. That left Isaak Mullanack in a big spot and he delivered a bases-clearing double to right-center field to make it 3-0.

Then, it was Carlson’s turn, as he turned on one and curled it inside the left field foul pole to make it 5-0.

Adam Metivier continued his outstanding work to start 2024, firing 8.1 strong innings, scattering eight hits and walking just two against four strikeouts.

Metivier cruised through a 1-2-3 first inning and then went to work stranding runners. The Eagles put two runners on and plated their first run in the third, but Metivier escaped with minimal damage. Overall, he stranded five Emory runners through the first five innings.

While the Piedmont offense stalled, it was able to add on in the fifth on a pinch-hit double from Spencer Muffuletto to make it 6-1.

Metivier showed he had life in his arm late, firing a 1-2-3 eighth inning that included a pair of strikeouts to end the frame. Then, after he set down the first hitter of the ninth, the Eagles drew a walk, which led to Metivier’s exit in favor of right-hander Justin Manus, who recorded one out but also gave up a hit and walk to load the bases. Right-hander Braden Simms then entered and induced a long fly out to the center field wall that fell harmlessly into the glove of Schuylar Willis for the third out.

Up next, the Lions will host The College of Wooster in a midweek game this Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m.

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