Cougars Drop Game in 10 Innings

Piedmont Academy’s varsity baseball team saw its nine-game winning streak snapped last week in a 10-inning contest against Bethlehem Christian Academy.

The Cougars had an early lead, but the visiting Knights rallied to force extra innings and eventually would push two runs across in the top of the 10th for an 8-6 win.

Piedmont coach Danny Camp said it was a game his team could have won, but the Cougars did not take advantage of all of their opportunities.

Malcom Tyler had a big day at the plate going 3-for-5 while Luke Andrews drove in three runs. Zach Beggs was 1-for-4 with a run and two RBI.

Mike Davis worked the first 4.1 innings before Mac Brittan pitched the final 5.2 innings. Both pitchers had four strikeouts against Bethlehem.

The Cougars jumped out to a 6-2 lead after the fourth inning but the Knights rallied with four runs in the top of the fifth.

BCA, the defending GISA Class A state champion, scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning to earn the win.

Michael Edwards scored two runs for Piedmont.

The Cougars were scheduled to play region foe Griffin Christian Friday, but that game was rained out. Camp said with a scheduled region game the day after the contest with BCA, it played a factor on who pitched when. As it turned out, the region game was not played Friday.

Piedmont did rebound Monday with a 5-4 non-region win Monday against Loganville Christian Academy. The win avenged one of only two losses for the Cougars this season.

Beggs was the winning pitcher going all seven innings with 12 strikeouts. Beggs scattered four hits, only two earned, and did not allow a walk.

Andrews was 2-for-3 with a run and RBI while Jared Smith was 1-for-2. Beggs helped his own cause by going 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Cougars scored a run in the both the third and fourth innings before scoring three times in the bottom of the fifth.

Piedmont was scheduled to host Heritage (Newnan) Wednesday and will travel to St. Simons this weekend for two games Friday and another game Saturday. The Cougars will face Terrell Academy Friday at 3:45 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. contest with Deerfield-Windsor. Piedmont will wrap up the trip to the coast with a 6 p.m. game Saturday against host Frederica Academy.

“We have some games against some quality opponents coming up,” Camp said. “We need to play well and come out of this stretch with a good overall record. These games will be a challenge.”