Taylor Fought hit a two-run home run and finished with three RBIs and two runs in Thursday's loss to Piedmont in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. (Photo by Wesley Lyle)
Taylor Fought hit a two-run home run and finished with three RBIs and two runs in Thursday's loss to Piedmont in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. (Photo by Wesley Lyle)

Huntingdon exits conference tournament with loss to Piedmont

LAGRANGE, Ga. – The Huntingdon baseball team built a seven-run lead early but could not hold off Piedmont College in a 9-7 loss in the second round of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday.

The loss eliminated Huntingdon (12-24) from the conference tournament. Piedmont improved to 18-18 with the win.

Huntingdon controlled the game early, building a 7-0 lead in the first three innings. The Hawks scored three runs in the first inning, three runs in the second inning and one run in the third inning.

Piedmont answered with six runs in the fourth inning and two runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. The Lions added a final run in the eighth inning.

Taylor Fought led Huntingdon with a two-run home run, three RBIs and two runs on a 2-for-5 day. The home run was his sixth of the season.

Joseph Calvert was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs and Garrett Headley was 2-for-4 with two runs. Corey Lowe also had two hits. Hunter Long and Wes Powell each drove in one run and Josh Hines scored one run.

Matt Gatewood (2-4) took the loss in 3 1/3 innings.