COLUMBIA, SC - Piedmont International traveled to Benedict College for a three-game series on Feb. 22 and 23. The team, unfortunately, fell 15-10, 14-13, and 7-5.

Game One
In game one, PIU's bats were strong against the Benedict Tigers, but it wasn't enough as the team fell 15-10. The Bruins got things started in the first inning when Hunter Rhineberger drew a walk, allowing Josh Kent to score. Wesley Ambrose, Kevin Greenwood, and Rhineberger all added a run before the end of the inning. 

In the third, Drew Martin would increase the Bruins lead to 5-3 with a run of his own. The Tigers would go on to score ten straight in the following innings. The Bruins tried to make a comeback with runs for Brendan Carroll (2), Kent, Dalton Caldwell, and Koda Bullard, but it wasn't enough.

Michael Williams was on the hill for PIU. He went two innings, allowing five runs on two hits. Noah Vick, Will Lancaster, and Lee Thorne each contributed in relief.

PIU didn't commit a single error in the field. Matt Tullock had four chances in the field, the most on the team. Piedmont tore up the base paths, as two players stole at least two bases. Kent led the way with five.

Game Two
It came down to the last play in game two, but the Bruins were on the wrong end of a 14-13 defeat. Benedict was down 13-12 in the bottom of the seventh inning when they hit a single on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

PIU fired up the offense in the first inning. Martin drew a walk, scoring one run. The team put the pressure on, putting up ten runs in the third inning: a walk by Bullard, a triple by Kent, a single by Tullock, a fielder's choice by Bryan Deegan, and a double by Martin.

Nate Williams was on the pitcher's mound for Piedmont. He surrendered seven runs on six hits over four and a third innings, striking out three. Caldwell and Charlee Edwards entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two innings and one-third of an inning, respectively.

Bullard, Kent, Martin, and Tullock each collected one hit. Piedmont stole 13 bases during the game as four players stole more than one. Ambrose led the way with four.

Game Three
In the final game, PIU lost the lead late in a 7-5 victory to Benedict. With the game tied at five and the Tigers batting in the bottom of the eighth, a homered on the first pitch of the at-bat put two runs up.

Edwards toed the rubber, going four innings, allowing one run on three hits, and striking out two. Darin Spivey and Rhineberger entered the game as relief, throwing two and a third innings and one and two-thirds innings, respectively.

Deegan, Ambrose, Greenwood, Kent, and Martin each managed one hit to lead the team. Ambrose led Piedmont with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with eight stolen bases.

The Bruins will be back in action on Feb. 29 and 30 as they host Alice Lloyd College in a three-game series.