(DEMOREST, Ga. )- In the 2024 CCS opener, the Piedmont University baseball team dominated the Belhaven Blazers 10-5 Thursday. After trailing early, Piedmont was able to use a pair of big innings to take control.

Zeke Swartz surrendered just two hits until the fourth inning when the Blazers capitalized with two runs on three hits and an error to claim a 2-0 lead. Piedmont was able to take back one run in the fifth without a hit, but Belhaven answered to lead 3-1 in the sixth. However, it was the sixth when the Piedmont offense began to come to life.

Trace Cate doubled to start the sixth and Isaak Mullanack singled then advanced to second on an error, scoring Cate to tie the game.

Kyle Carlson kept the momentum going as he hit a two-run shot to left field off the top of the scoreboard to put the Lions out in front.

The Blazers tied it up in the seventh on a sacrifice fly after Swartz was replaced by Tyler Roon. Belhaven loaded the bases with one out, but Jackson Randolph took over for the final two outs, the sacrifice fly to tie it and a fly out to left.

Nathan Mix picked up where the Lions left off with a leadoff home run in the seventh inning to spark a monster inning.

Piedmont was able to score six runs on six hits in the seventh inning sending 11 batters to the plate. The Lions had a home run to start the frame and a total of six straight hits with five singles to follow Mix.

Justin Manus entered to pitch the eighth inning and worked a clean 1-2-3 frame and closed out the game giving up just two hits, one run, and struck out five including the final batter on a full count.

Up next, game two of the series will be on Friday at 4 p.m. at Loudermilk Field

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