DEMOREST, Ga. — The Wabash College baseball team built an early three-run lead but could not hold off a late rally by Piedmont University as the Lions defeated the Little Giants 9–7 Tuesday evening at Loudermilk Field during Wabash's spring break trip.

Wabash (3–6) scored seven runs in the first three innings and finished with 10 hits, but Piedmont (10–5) chipped away at the deficit before scoring twice in the eighth inning to secure the victory.

The Little Giants jumped in front in the top of the first inning. Caleb Ellspermann opened the game with a single and later scored when Parker Smith reached on a fielder's choice and advanced on an error. Ben Henke scored on the same play after reaching earlier in the inning, and Smith came home moments later when Aiden Ramsey singled to give Wabash a 3–0 lead.

Piedmont answered with a run in the bottom of the first when Cody Funk walked, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error, and scored to cut the deficit to 3–1.

Wabash extended the lead to 5–1 in the second inning. Jimmy Hawksworth singled and Bradley Gilliam was hit by a pitch before Henke lined a two-run single to left field, scoring both runners.

The Lions responded quickly in the bottom of the second. Funk delivered a three-run triple that scored Logan Racine, Ben Connelly, and Cruz Mullinix to trim the Wabash advantage to 5–4.

The Little Giants added two more runs in the third inning to stretch the lead back to three. Parker Smith reached on an error before Ramsey drew a walk and Jacob Edwards singled to load the bases. Hawksworth followed with an RBI single to score Smith, and Gilliam worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home Ramsey and give Wabash a 7–4 edge.

Piedmont gradually worked its way back into the game. The Lions scored in the fifth inning when Logan Racine was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Cruz Mullinix. Funk later scored on a sacrifice fly by Davin Miller in the sixth inning to cut the Wabash lead to 7–6.

The Lions tied the game in the seventh when Justin Shaffer singled to center field to score Jack Ryan.

Piedmont took its first lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cole Ellis doubled to open the frame and later scored when Mullinix singled and a Wabash fielding error allowed Ellis to cross the plate. Anderson Deaderick later scored on a sacrifice by Ryan to give the Lions the 9–7 advantage.

Wabash threatened in the ninth inning after DJ Mendez was hit by a pitch and advanced into scoring position, but the Little Giants were unable to push a run across as Piedmont closed out the victory.

Henke led Wabash offensively, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a double. Hawksworth also finished 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Gilliam went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, while Ramsey added a hit, an RBI, and a run scored.

Sophomore left-hander Jackson Fronek started on the mound for the Little Giants and allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits over four innings while striking out one and walking four. Finn Randolph allowed two runs in 1? innings of relief, and Nick Wangler surrendered one run over 1? innings. Jackson Woehr (1–2) took the loss after allowing one run in one-third of an inning. Miles Williams pitched the final inning for Wabash.

Funk paced the Piedmont offense with three hits and three RBIs, including the key triple in the second inning.

Wabash continues its spring break trip Wednesday with a single game at Emory University in Atlanta scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch.