Piedmont Baseball Set for New Season

Piedmont Academy’s varsity baseball team is set for the 2014 season, which begins today, Feb. 27, against Loganville Christian Academy on the road at 4 p.m.

The team has been working for several weeks in preparation for what it hopes to be another postseason run. Veteran coach Danny Camp said 13 players have been practicing with several more recently joining the squad after basketball season.

“We are excited about the season,” Camp said. “We are another year older. I don’t think you can term us ‘young’ anymore. We are going to have to work hard and continue to get better. The players are eager to listen and improve.”

Pitching and defense will be the team’s strengths, Camp said.

“We should be able to score runs but pitching and defense always wins games,” he said.

The pitching staff is deep for the Cougars with four or five players able to take the mound to start games and another three or four who can work middle relief.

Piedmont was second in the region last season so Camp said the players want to challenge for a region title this spring.

“You want to win your region and go from there,” the coach said. “The coaches have pleased with the players’ attitudes. Many of them have been in the program for several years.”

Seniors on the 2014 team include Mac Brittain, Malcom Tyler, Jared Smith and Jacob Younker. Juniors will be Luke Andrews, Zach Beggs, Josh Williams, Michael Davis and Hunter Knox. Sophomores will be Noah Quick, Alan Powell, Zack Wilson, Hunter Whiting, Nolan Cleary and Mike Weatherly. Freshman include Michael Edwards, Wyatt Galloway, Tyler Mills and Mack Brady.

Camp will be assisted by Dan Funt and Donnie Coe this season. Funt has been with the program several years while Coe is a former player at Georgia Southern who is working with the team’s middle infielders.