LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- The Covenant softball team, playing its first home game since March 24, fell twice to USA South West-leading Piedmont, 11-2 and 9-2, on Saturday afternoon.
After the games, Covenant honored its four seniors -- Heather Long, Diana Muniz, Emma Giller, Faith Manning -- for their contributions and dedication to the program over the last four years.
Covenant drops to 16-16 overall and 5-5 in USA South play with the losses, while Piedmont is 14-8 and 9-1.
GAME ONE: Piedmont 11, Covenant 2
A four-run third inning opened the game for Piedmont as the visiting Lions took the opener, 11-2, in five innings.
It was an emotional start to the game for Covenant. Senior Heather Long, not medically cleared to play this season, came on to officially start the game in the circle for the Scots. After Long tossed the first pitch to Piedmont leadoff hitter Rebekah Stegmayer, she was removed from the game and swarmed by teammates.
Piedmont scored single runs in the first and second before a four-spot in the third. The Lions added three more runs in the fourth as Piedmont's Hannah Smith hit an inside-the-park home run.
Covenant got on the board in the fifth when Jordan Holman launched her fourth homer of the year, a two-run shot to right-center field. Holman finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Vanessa Davis, Aileen Hill, Cope Whitaker, and Emma Giller all had one hit each.
Lauren Kierpa (14-9) got the loss in the circle after going 3.1 innings. Piedmont's Emma McBrayer (8-5) threw three scoreless innings and notched the win.
GAME TWO: Piedmont 9, Covenant 2
In game two, it was a four-run fifth inning and a two-run sixth for Piedmont that sealed the doubleheader sweep in a 9-2 win over the Scots.
Covenant starter Jennifer Coates (2-6) kept Covenant in the game as she allowed just two runs over the first four innings, but the Piedmont bats awoke in the fifth. Coates ended up going the distance and threw 106 pitches.
Kara Taylor and Kaylee White each had two-run doubles in the fifth as Piedmont stretched its lead to 6-0.
Giller put the Scots on the board in the sixth with a sacrifice fly. In the seventh Cope Whitaker doubled and later scored in a throwing error.
Martina Maloch (5-1) got the win for Piedmont as she tossed six innings and allowed one run.
Whitaker and Muniz had two hits apiece for the Scots. Taylor had three hits and three RBIs for the Lions.
UP NEXT
Covenant will travel to face Wesleyan on Saturday, April 24 in a USA South doubleheader. Game one is set for 12 p.m.
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