ATLANTA -- The Piedmont College baseball team wrapped up the 2015 season in this afternoon's non-conference matchup against Emory University with the Eagles winning 6-4.
The Lions picked up a single run in four different innings, but were not able to overcome the early lead from the Eagles.
Emory scored all six of its runs in the first two innings of the ball game on 10 hits, but were held scoreless after that point. However, the Lions fell just short of extending their season, scoring two runs in the last two innings.
A two-run first followed by a four-run fourth gave Emory all the offense they needed exploding for 15 hits throughout the game and getting into the Piedmont bullpen early.
Piedmont starter SETH GEORGE moved to 4-3 on the season with the loss throwing 1.2 innings. However, fellow freshman BUDDY GREEN gave his longest outing of the season for the Lions throwing three complete.
Green stranded five hits and one strikeout with no runs to set the stage for the Lions ascent. The Lions controlled innings 4-9 with the first run for the team coming in the top of the fourth.
CASEY PARHAM picked up his sole RBI of the day that allowed DANIEL LINDSEY to score. Lindsey finished the day 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk.
Two innings later, the Lions picked up another run on an AUSTIN BRICK groundout that scored BRECK DAVIDSON. Brick finished the game on a 2-for-3 mark including the RBI and a walk.
Freshman CALEB NORTON made his fifth start of the season this afternoon, and gave the Lions an RBI groundout in the 8th that scored Lindsey. Norton came into the Emory series with no RBI on the year, and picked up one each game.
Piedmont headed to the ninth down by three with Emory ahead 6-3. EVAN GRESHAM picked up his sole RBI of the day on a fielder's choice that scored KEITH GRABOWSKI. The Lions' rally started just a bit late as the final out was recorded to end the 2015 season.
Senior TYLER MARCINKO led all Lions at the plate in his last game wearing a Piedmont uniform going 3-for-4 at the plate, which earned him a .303 average in his final campaign.
ALLEN TOKARZ and JOSH THOMAS contributed to the final 3.1 innings pitched only allowing one hit. Tokarz took the bulk of the remaining innings with 2.1 and the only hit after the seventh for the Eagles.
Thomas finished the 2015 season giving up only one earned run in his last eight appearances.
The junior reliever did however mark himself down in Piedmont history breaking the single season individual ERA record since the NCAA era. The record was set by his teammate ALLEN TOKARZ last season at 1.65 while Thomas finished the year with a 1.53 showing.
Tokarz and Thomas have combined for 50 appearances, which as of April 23 marked Tokarz with the most appearances of any pitcher in Division III baseball with 25, and Thomas tied for second with 22.
With the win, Emory University moves to 26-12 and will await to hear their destiny as far as a NCAA South Regional bid is concerned.
The Lions finished the 2015 season with a 23-17 record, which saw Piedmont tie the NCAA Era team season record for sacrifice hits with 57. Piedmont also came within four doubles of tying their team season record of 81 set in 2008 and 2010.
Fans are encouraged to visit PiedmontLions.com for all schedule updates and post-season recognitions of student athletes.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/4/306094/early-inning-explosion-allows-eagles-to-take-2015-finale-from-lions-6-4