Diamond Cougars Lose Close Game

The Piedmont Academy baseball team fell behind by five runs Tuesday afternoon to Bethlehem Christian Academy only to see a late rally attempt fall one run short.

The Cougars fell 5-4 on the road but were in position to possibly tie the score or take the lead in the top of the seventh inning.

“It was a great effort,” said coach Danny Camp. “We did a much better job with our plate appearances. The overall effort was much better today. The intensity we need was there. Even in the dugout, everyone was mentally focused on the game.”

Bethlehem Christian Academy, who is quickly becoming a force in Class A in its first season of varsity play, led 5-0 after the fourth inning. The Knights scored two runs in the bottom of the third and added three more in the bottom of the fourth.

However, Piedmont scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to get on the board. Hunter Knox drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Following a walk by Josh Brennan, Logan Partenza drove in Knox with an RBI single. During that play, a throwing error to third base by Bethlehem Christian allowed Brennan to score.

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The Cougars added another run in the top of the sixth as Daniel Leinweber had a two-out single. Glade Tuggle was called on as a courtesy runner for Leinweber. Josh Williams was then hit by a pitch and McKenzie Brittain walked to load the bases. Knox drew another walk to allow Tuggle to score and move Piedmont one run closer.

In the top of the seventh, Partenza had a leadoff walk followed by a single from Cole Hamilton. Jakey Dunagan reached after being hit by a pitch. Leinweber then drove in Partenza with a single. The Cougars could not get the tying run across, however, and left the bases loaded for the second consecutive inning.

“It was great to see us come back after getting down early,” Camp said. “We gave ourselves a chance to win. That’s all you can ask for.”

While disappointed with the loss, Piedmont players thought the team made some important strides Tuesday afternoon.

“We fought back and that showed a lot of strength by our team,” said Hamilton, a senior. “Right now our younger players are doing well.”

Partenza, who played centerfield defensively, said the team is making progress.

“Everyone is starting to fill their role,” the junior said. “We just need to keep making the simple plays and good things will happen.”

Freshman Luke Andrews was the starting pitcher Tuesday and worked three innings allowing just two hits. Brittain worked the next three innings.

Prior to Tuesday’s action, the Diamond Cougars fell to Monsignor Donovan 5-1 last Thursday.

After four of the first six batters had hits for Piedmont, the Cougar bats cooled.

“We are struggling at the plate right now,” Camp said. “We let this one get away. We know that.”

McKenzie Brittain worked the first three innings and threw 35 strikes out of 47 pitches. Zach Beggs worked 2.1 innings with two strikeouts. Beggs did not allow any walks.

“I thought we would have had a few more games under our belts by the time the region schedule began,” Camp said. “However, we missed some games because of the weather and that probably had hurt our progress.”

Piedmont dropped to 0-2 in region play after a 9-0 loss to Windsor Saturday. The game was scoreless after the first inning when the visiting Knights began to take control.

The Cougars only managed three hits.

“Windsor is a very good baseball team,” Camp said. “They are probably one of the top four teams in our league. They are tough to beat.”

Piedmont will return to the field today, March 15 at Gatewood and Friday at home against Covenant. Both games begin at 4:30 p.m. The Cougars will then host Monsignor Donovan Monday at 4:30 p.m. and Brentwood on the road Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Sandersville.

“We are 0-2 in the region so the Gatewood game is going to be a big one for us,” Camp said.