Huntingdon falls to Piedmont in extra innings in GSAC championship

MARYVILLE, Tenn. --- With two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning, Piedmont College scored the game-winning run, 5-4, on a fielding error by Huntingdon College for the Great South Athletic Conference championship on Sunday.

After leading, 4-0, in the 7th inning of the GSAC tournament championship game, Huntingdon gave up four runs, 4-4, allowing the Lions to tie up the contest. Piedmont picked up the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning, 5-4, on a Hawk error for the Lions' third GSAC tournament title.

Huntingdon took a one run lead, 1-0, in the top of the 5th inning following one hit while leaving one runner on base. Senior Miles Walding led off the inning with a single to left field before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Walding scored Huntingdon's first run, 1-0, after advancing to third and across the plate on wild pitches by Piedmont.

Freshman Joseph Odom led off the top of the 6th inning with a single to left field for the Hawks. Odom advanced to second base on sophomore Caleb Astin's ground out. Freshman Tyler Blackwell drew a two out walk followed by Walding's RBI-double to left center scoring Odom, 2-0. Senior Stephen Bishop extended Huntingdon's lead by four runs, 4-0, after his RBI-single to left field scored two Hawk runners.

The top-seeded Lions' offense mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 8th inning after being shut-out in the previous seven innings. Piedmont's tied the game, 4-4, after scoring from two hits and one Hawks' throwing error.

Junior Kevin Aaron pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing only five hits while striking out four Lions in the no decision. Junior Caleb Cofield followed Aaron giving up two runs on no hits with two walks after recording only one out. Senior Ryan Harrison (4-1) replaced Cofield on the mound throwing 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs on four hits with three strike outs in the extra inning loss.

At the plate, Odom (2-for-2) and Walding (2-for-5) each paced the Hawks' offense with two hits on Sunday. Bishop posted a team-high two-RBI's in the GSAC championship game against Piedmont.

Huntingdon (23-17) ended their season with an extra inning loss, 5-4, to Piedmont (30-13) in the GSAC championship game.

For more information on the GSAC baseball championship, visit http://www.greatsouth.org/sports/2010/6/29/BSB_0629103417.aspx?path=baseball.

Hodge Patterson
Sports Information Director
Phone: (334) 833-4579
sid@huntingdon.edu