Diamond Cougars Eye Next Season

After earning a state playoff appearance without the benefit of any seniors on the roster, the Piedmont Academy baseball team is already looking ahead to next spring when its entire roster returns.
“We were pleasantly surprised by this season,” Cougar coach Danny Camp said. “We played our best baseball in the state playoffs. The light came on for us. We knew we had a young group and would have to keep plugging away. The great thing is everyone returns next season.”

Four juniors provided the leadership for Piedmont this spring including Josh Brennan, Cole Hamilton, Jakey Dunagan and Daniel Leinweber. Hamilton and Brennan were both named All-Region performers.

Hamilton, who was the team’s Most Valuable Player, was 7-3 on the pitcher’s mound and batted in the high .300s with 24 runs batted in.
“It will be nice to have him back,” Camp said. “He can compete with anyone.”

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Brennan, who won the Coaches Award at the spring banquet last week, led the team in doubles, triples and runs scored.
“Josh pretty much led us in most offensive categories,” Camp said.
The lone sophomore on this year’s team was Logan Potenza. Freshmen included Mills Smith, Jarred Smith, Malcom Tyler and McKenzie Brittain.

Camp praised the work by Mills Smith behind the plate at catcher.
“He worked the entire playoffs series behind the plate,” the coach said. “That’s a tough assignment for a freshman.”

Eighth graders this spring included Luke Andrews, Zach Beggs and Hunter Knox. Beggs was the team’s Scholar Athlete for having the highest grade-point average and Knox earned the Hustle Award.
“We will get in the weight room and look to get bigger, faster and stronger,” Camp said. “We want to improve for next season.”
Robert Toombs, the opponent which defeated Piedmont in the playoffs, is now in the Final Four.

“We continued to work hard all season,” Camp said. “We could have cashed it in. That’s a sign of maturity, even from such a young group.”