Huntingdon baseball falters late against Piedmont

DEMOREST, Ga. – The Huntingdon baseball team gave up a two-run lead in the eighth inning and fell to Piedmont 18-11 on Friday night.

The game was the first of a three-game USA South Athletic Conference series. Game 2 is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. Friday's loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Hawks (16-6, 11-2 USA South).

Huntingdon built a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, led 10-5 in the fifth inning and carried an 11-9 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Piedmont (13-6, 6-4 USA South) scored nine runs on four hits and an error. The Lions also took advantage of two wild pitches, one hit batter and six walks.

Center fielder Trammell DeJarnett and left fielder Patrick Kucera combined to go 5-for-9 with three RBIs and four runs for Huntingdon. DeJarnett was 3-for-4 with three runs, a RBI and two stolen bases and Kucera was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run.

First baseman Tyler Blackwell was 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run and designated hitter Victor Taylor was 2-for-4 with a run. Right fielder Gavin Free scored two runs, drove in a run and stole one base and catcher Clark Berry drove in two runs.

Third baseman Will Pharis had a RBI and a run and second baseman Jordan Freeman and short stop Landon Sessions each scored once.

Dalton Dalrymple (1-1) took the loss in 2 2/3 innings of relief.