Box Score A five-run fourth inning gave the Piedmont College Lions enough cushion to snap Maryville's nine-game winning streak by the score of 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Loudermilk Field in Demorest, Georgia.
The Scots posted a trio of runs in their first plate appearance. Chris Ervin doubled in Zack Blonder, Logan Jenkins, and Andrew Henry to give MC a 3-0 advantage.
Maryville's Jeremy Ibarra kept the Lions off-balance for the first three innings before they exploded for their big fifth inning.
A Breck Davidson RBI double started the host's scoring. Zach Langley singled to drive in Davidson and then Josh Tate plated Langley on an RBI single. Zack Johnson scored the go-ahead run on a Brady Ballstadt RBI single. The eventual game-winning run was scored by Josh Tate following an MC error.
Maryville attempted a ninth inning rally when Clifton Dempsey drove in Patrick Messinger before Piedmont's Josh Thomas earned his sixth save of the season with 1.1 innings of two-hit relief.
Piedmont's Ben McCurley (1-1) earned the victory with 5.1 of work scattering six hits and striking out four. Maryville's Jeremy Ibarra (2-2) went six innings allowing eight hits and four earned runs. MC's Jordan Norton pitched a pair of quality innings in relief allowing only one hit to give the Scots a chance for a late rally.
Maryville's 10-hit attack was paced by Chris Ervin (2-4, 3 RBI), Clifton Dempsey (2-4, 1 RBI), Zack Blonder (2-3, 1 R), and Logan Jenkins (2-4, 1 R).
The win moves Piedmont to 7-3 on the season and 1-1 in USA South action. Maryville falls to 9-3 and 1-1 in league play. The series finale is schedule for a 2:00 start on Sunday in Demorest, Georgia.
