Huntingdon splits with Piedmont

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon softball team split with Piedmont College in a doubleheader on Sunday to close out the opening weekend of USA South Athletic Conference play.

The Lady Hawks took the first game 1-0 before falling 2-1 in Game 2.

Huntingdon (3-11, 3-1 USA South) used another complete-game performance by pitcher Raina Lanier to get the win in Game 1. Lanier (2-5) picked up her first shutout of the season, allowing just three hits, striking out eight and walking two in seven innings.

With a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh inning, Lanier struck out the final batter to end the game.

Freshman Samara Miller scored the deciding run on a pair of Piedmont errors in the third inning. Catcher Kelsie Dardon was the only Huntingdon player with multiple hits in the first game and finished 2-for-3.

In Game 2, Piedmont took a 1-0 lead in the second inning before junior Amber Wade scored to tie the game in the third inning. The tie stood until the sixth inning when Piedmont (11-9, 4-2 USA South) scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single.

Miller accounted for two of Huntingdon's five hits in the game and finished 2-for-3.

Lindsey Selph (1-4) took the loss in 5 1/3 innings, striking out nine, walking one and allowing six hits and one earned run. Selph carried a two-hitter into the sixth inning.

Haley Riddle pitched the final 1 2/3 innings. Riddle entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning but helped get Huntingdon out of the inning without allowing another run.

Huntingdon hosts Martin Methodist in a doubleheader on Wednesday. Game 1 is set for 1 p.m.