The Piedmont baseball team was locked in a scoreless game with top-ranked Marietta for nearly nine innings before finally allowing the go-ahead run with two outs in the ninth, and falling 1-0 Saturday in Demorest.

Junior Kevin Caldwell nearly went the distance, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out three before being lifted for the final out of the ninth. The loss was Caldwell’s first of the season.

The Lions (14-5) had their chances early. In the third inning, Tate Koons singled, but was thrown out attempting to steal for the second out of the inning. The next three Piedmont batters reached on two walks and a single, loading the bases, but Garrett Lovelace struck out to end the threat.

Pioneers’ starter Michael Mulvey lasted seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits and striking out eight.

Piedmont returns to action at 2 p.m. today against Centre College at Loudermilk Field in Demorest.

NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE DROPS DOUBLEHEADER: The struggles continued for the North Georgia baseball team on Saturday as it dropped both games of a doubleheader to Flagler College at Bob Stein Stadium.

Flagler took the opening game 5-4 and rallied with a four-run outburst in the top of the ninth to take the second, 8-6. North Georgia’s losing streak is now up to eight games.

North Georgia (11-13, 3-9 Peach Belt Conference) had the lead going into the sixth inning of the first game, but allowed runs in each of the sixth, seventh and eight innings to fall behind.

It was another rally in the second game, when Flagler plated four runs in the ninth inning to erase a two-run North Georgia lead.

North Georgia plays again Wednesday against Toccoa Falls at Bob Stein Stadium.