DEMOREST, Ga. – The Berea College baseball team faced off against the Lions of Piedmont University this weekend, dropping games one and three of the series 15-2 and 7-2, but winning game two 13-10.

After the three-game series, the Mountaineers sit at 6-22 overall and 2-7 in CCS action.

Sophomore Jayden Junta had a big weekend for the Mountaineers, going three-for-seven with two home runs, four RBIs, and drawing four walks.

Game One- Berea 2, Piedmont 15

The Lions pounced to an early lead with an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. However, Junta would tie the contest with his first homerun of the weekend in the top of the second. The momentum soon shifted in Piedmont's favor, scoring four runs over the third and fourth innings to take a 5-1 lead.

Following a scoreless fifth inning, the Mountaineers chipped into the deficit with a run in the top of the sixth as Junta scored on an error from the Lions' second basemen. Piedmont took complete control of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning as they put up 10 runs and held that lead for a 15-2 win in game one.

Game Two- Berea 13, Piedmont 10

Piedmont had the early advantage in the second game on Saturday as they led 4-0 after the first two innings. Junta quickly brought the Mountaineers back into the contest with a three-run home run in the top of the third inning, scoring fellow sophomores Michael Vazquez and Fredison Rivera as Berea trailed 4-3. The Lions responded with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make the game a two-run affair.

Berea took the lead in the top of the fourth with a four-run inning. Sophomore Marcelo Manrique started the scoring with a two-RBI single to bring home sophomores Kire Tribble and AJ Wylie, while placing Vazquez on second base and Berea tied the contest. Soon after, the Mountaineers jumped out in front as Vazquez scored on a wild pitch and Manrique advanced to third base. Following Junta earning his way onto base, sophomore Ricardo Serra knocked an RBI single to bring home Manrique and the Mountaineers took a 7-5 lead into the bottom half of the fourth inning.

After holding the Lions scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, Berea tacked on an additional run in the fifth inning when Wylie crossed home plate on a wild pitch, but Piedmont responded with a solo home run in their part of the fifth as Berea held an 8-7 lead going into the seventh.

Berea had another productive inning; this time Rivera was the headline of the inning as he hit a two-RBI single to give the Mountaineers a 10-7 lead. Wylie soon recorded his third run of the game as he scored on an error by the Lions' pitcher and Berea led 11-7. Piedmont continued to fight as they managed the damage with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to trail by two runs heading into the final two innings.

Following a scoreless eight inning, the Mountaineers added a pair of insurance runs from a two-RBI single from Vazquez as Berea took a 13-9 lead. Piedmont made the contest a two-run game with a sacrifice flyout, but the Mountaineers held on to secure their second conference win of the season.

Sophomore Peyton Hooper earned the win on the mound, pitching five innings and striking out three batters. Sophomore Derek Hay earned the save with three innings pitched.

Game Three- Berea 2, Piedmont 7

Berea took the lead early in game three as sophomore Zion Clay earned an RBI on a groundout to first base. Soon after, Manrique crossed home plate on a balk and Berea took a 2-0 advantage. The Lions took the lead in the bottom of the third, notching three runs.

The offense on both sides slowed down for a majority of the contest, however the Lions expanded their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-RBI double and a sacrifice flyout and Piedmont led 6-2. The Lions notched an additional run in the bottom of the eighth as the Lions held on for a 7-2 win over Berea.

The Berea College baseball team returns to the diamond on Friday, hosting Maryville College in a CCS matchup. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at the Berea College Sports Complex.