DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont downed LaGrange 8-2 on Friday at Loudermilk Field in the first game of a three-game GSAC series. The Lions improved to 3-1 in the GSAC and 19-12 overall, while the Panthers dipped to 0-4 in the conference and 16-15 overall with their eighth straight loss.

Piedmont's Kevin Caldwell (6-2) went eight innings, allowing two runs, only one was earned. Caldwell scattered five hits and struck out three. Matt Collins struck out the side in the ninth inning to close out the win for the Lions.

Doug Scherer (1-3) took the loss for the Panthers. Scherer allowed seven runs, six earned on 13 hits in 6-2/3 innings. J.J. Martone allowed a run in 1-1/3 innings, striking out three.

After a scoreless three innings, the Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Brent Kinsey led off the inning with a double, moved over to third on an error and scored on Robbie Shelton's sacrifice fly.

Piedmont came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Kyle Davis drove in both runs with a two-out two-run triple.

The Panthers tied the game 2-2 with a run in the fifth inning. Luis Perez reached second on a throwing error to lead off the inning. He moved over to third on a ground out and scored as Phil Woods ground out.

The Lions answered with three runs in their half of the fifth to take the lead for good. Garrett Lovelace's one out home run accounted for all three runs in the inning.

Piedmont padded its lead with a run in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

The two teams resume their weekend series Saturday at 2 p.m.