Middle School Lady Cougars Finish Second

Piedmont Academy’s Middle School softball team finished second in a tournament hosted by Tattnall Square Academy in Macon Saturday.

The team took the field five times before falling to Tattnall in a shootout to determine the tournament winner. The shootout was the international tiebreaker rule, which Tattnall won after the first inning.

“I was so proud of the way our team played,” coach Dan Funt said. “We played against all AAA schools and to finish second is a great accomplishment. I think, and hope, that this tournament was a great learning experience for the team.”

In their opener, the Lady Cougars defeated John Milledge 9-1. Madison Morton earned the win while Hailey Hooper was 2-for-2 at the plate. Madison Johnson was 1-for-2 with an RBI. O’Neil Sealy scored two runs.

Piedmont then fell 2-1 to Tattnall Square. The Lady Cougars were led offensively by Morton, who went 1-for-2 with a run, and Johnson, who finished 1-for-2.

The team rebounded with a 4-2 win against John Milledge in its third game of the day. Morton earned the win going four innings while striking out two.

Hooper was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run and RBI while Morton was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Piedmont then defeated Tattnall Square 4-2 as Morton was 2-for-2 at the plate with a run. Cassidy Cook was 1-for-2 with a run. Johnson was 1-for-2 with a run and Sealy finished 1-for-2 with a run.

Morton earned the win while striking out four batters.

In the final game against Tattnall, which lasted only an inning, Piedmont was not able to manage any hits in the 1-0 loss.

The Middle School team swept Briarwood Monday in a home doubleheader.

The Lady Cougars cruised to a 13-1 win in the opener by scoring three runs in the first, two in the second, three in the third and five more in the fourth.

Piedmont was paced by Ashton Mooney (1-for-2, one run, two walks), Gracie Hunt (1-for-2, one run, one RBI, one walk) and Johnson (two runs).

Morton was the winning pitcher with nine strikeouts.

The Lady Cougars took the second game 9-0 against Briarwood. Piedmont scored all nine runs in the first inning.

Cook was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI while Hooper was 1-for-2 with a run. Sealy finished 2-for-2 with a run and also recorded the win as she had seven strikeouts. Morton was 1-for-2 with a run scored.

“I was proud of the way our team responded Monday against Briarwood,” Funt said. “The girls were disappointed after finishing second in the tournament Saturday, and they came out today and played well. Regardless of what happens in our last

game, I’m proud of the players effort and proud of their season.”

Piedmont closed out the 2013 season Tuesday with a 5-1 win against Gatewood. Cook and Johnson were both 1-for-3 while Hunt was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Jordan Camp added a 1-for-2 day with a run. Morton pitched six innings and recorded nine strikeouts.

“I am proud of the girls and the season they had,” Funt said. “They finished strong and continued to learn. If this group stays hungry, they will do big things one day.”