Piedmont Claims 2011 GSAC Championship

Tournament MVP Emily Cheek blasted a pair of home runs in the clinching game as top-seeded Piedmont College completed an impressive run to the 2011 Great South Athletic Conference title by defeating Huntingdon College twice on Championship Sunday. Wesleyan College hosted the event at the Mathews Athletic Complex.

[ Box Score ]

 

 

The Lions (27-13) rallied back from a day one loss that forced them into the losers bracket by winning three games on Saturday before twice toppling the second-seeded Hawks on Sunday. Piedmont won its first GSAC softball title since 2006 and fourth overall, the most in conference history.

In the title game, Cheek blasted a pair of home runs with the second coming in the top of the sixth inning to spot Piedmont a 6-1 advantage. Huntingdon rallied with three runs in its half of the inning. Jessica Sharker's two-run single cleared the bases and saw Sharker advance to third base during the play with only one out. However, Megan McClain snared Angela Barkman's line drive and doubled Sharker off third base to end the threat. After a scoreless top of the seventh inning, reliever Brittney Head retired the Hawks in order with McClain making a diving catch to clinch the championship.

Piedmont will represent the GSAC in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Piedmont Forces If Necessary Game Versus Huntingdon

A 5-1 Piedmont victory at Noon forced the if necessary game at the 2011 Great South Athletic Conference softball championship.

[ Box Score ]

No. 2 Huntingon scored the first run of the game after Aleah Payne doubled and later scored on a Piedmont throwing error. The Hawks (26-15) maintained the one-run lead until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Lions (26-13) offense awoke.

Five singles plated three runs for Piedmont. Megan Kesler and Amy Thompson would drive in two more insurance runs int he sixth inning to seal the victory.

Brittany Head (13-5) limited Huntingdon to just three hits while fanning eight batters to earn the victory. Bree Giordano (12-4) took the loss.

Huntingdon and Piedmont face off again at 2:30pm with the title on the line.