KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – The Swarthmore College baseball team concluded its season-opening weekend at the D3 Showcase with an 8-6 setback against undefeated Piedmont University on Sunday.
 
The Garnet got out to a 3-0 lead but the Lions rallied for four runs in the third to go in front. The teams traded the lead in the middle innings and were even at five after five. Piedmont went ahead for good with a three-run sixth and held Swarthmore to one run over the final three frames.
 
Aidan Sullivan led the Garnet offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, a RBI, and a stolen base. Matthew Silvestre and Zac Kahn tallied two hits apiece and scored a run. Silvestre also drew two walks, hit a double, and drove in a run.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore scored the first run on a groundout in the second. The Garnet tacked on two runs in the third. Sullivan led off with a base hit then stole second. Silvestre plated Sullivan with a double to right center before later scoring on a wild pitch.
 
- The Lions pushed across four in the bottom of the third to take their first lead. Piedmont drew a bases-loaded walk and smacked a three-run double.
 
- The Garnet bounced back with two runs in the fourth to go back in front, 5-4. Max Roffwarg legged out an RBI triple before scoring on a Sullivan double.
 
- The Lions tied the score in the fifth with an RBI single. Piedmont scored three times in the sixth for an 8-5 advantage, hitting two RBI doubles and plating another run on a fielder's choice.
 
- Swarthmore's final run came on a wild pitch in the seventh. The Garnet had a chance for more but left the bases loaded. Swarthmore brought the tying run to the plate in both the eighth and ninth innings but was unable to score the equalizer.
 
GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Hits: Sullivan 3
Runs: Wilson Henze 2
RBI: Four players 1
Stolen Bases: Sullivan 1
 
UP NEXT
The Garnet (1-2) host Eastern University for the home opener on Tuesday.