Cougars To Host Semi-Final Games Friday

Piedmont Academy’s baseball team dispatched of the two-time defending state champion last week and is now set for the GISA Class AA semifinals.

The Cougars (28-4 overall) swept visiting Brentwood 1-0 and 6-0 in a quarterfinal series Friday and Saturday. Piedmont will now host Frederica Academy of St. Simons in a semifinal best-of-three series beginning Friday.

“It was a team effort,” coach Danny Camp said. “Zach and Mac pitched outstanding games. It was dominating performances by both of them. It was exactly what we needed.”

In Saturday’s series-clinching win against Brentwood, Mac Brittain went the distance allowing just two hits and recording six strikeouts.

“We tried to focus on them like we would anyone else although we knew they were going to be tough,” said Brittain, who has five wins this spring.

Piedmont pushed runs across in the top of the second and third innings (the Cougars were the designated “visitor” in game two) and then scored four runs in the top of the fourth for some needed breathing room. Those runs turned out to be more than enough for Brittain who notched another victory.

At the plate Saturday, Jared Smith was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Luke Andrews was 1-for-4 with a run while Zach Beggs was 1-for-2 with three RBI. Brittain helped his own cause by going 2-for-4 at the plate.

Hunter Knox finished 1-for-4 with a run and RBI while Mack Brady was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Brentwood’s Eric Smith also went the distance Saturday and had a solid outing with 11 strikeouts.

In game one, Piedmont held on for a 1-0 win behind the pitching of Beggs. In seven innings, Beggs, who is now 7-0, allowed just four hits while striking out six.

“Zach went right after them in the first game,” Camp said. “They kept us off balance as well. We finally got what we needed in the seventh.”

The game was a defensive battle as neither team scored until the bottom of the seventh. Brady, a freshman, delivered the game-winning RBI driving home Knox, who had walked earlier in the inning.

Brentwood used the pitching combination of Nick Pullen, Tyler Parker and Samuel Joiner, who combined to only allow four hits.

“We knew if we played like we were capable, we could do well,” Beggs said. “Mac and I looked forward to the challenge.”

Josh Williams was 2-for-3 for Piedmont in game one.

“It was a big series for us,” Camp said. “It seems to be someone different each time who helps us move on.”

Up next is the Frederica Academy Knights. Piedmont defeated Frederica 2-1 during the regular season but Coach Camp knows that in no way guarantees anything at this point.

Frederica, a No. 3 seed, reached the semifinals by defeating Central Fellowship and Westwood Academy.

“We have to go out and have another good week of practice,” Camp said. “We will have to adjust to our schedule with it being the last week of school with exams and graduation.”

Piedmont has played solid defense to this point in the playoffs and Camp hopes that can continue. The coach, who also guided the program to the Final Four in 1998 and 2008, expressed thanks to the support the team has received this spring.

“We’ve had outstanding fan support,” he said. “It has given our ballpark a different vibe. The bleachers are full and fans are standing down the left field line. I am proud of our administration, teachers and student body. It’s nice to be playing at home. It’s what we worked for during the season.”

A doubleheader is set for Friday at 1:30 p.m. A third game, if necessary, is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.

Camp said Frederica is not a typical No. 3 seed.

“There was not much difference in their region top to bottom,” the coach said. “It will be tough. They are well coached. We are still looking at everyone in terms of one day at a time and one game at a time. We are playing well and our team believes it can win. We are excited. The kids are continuing to come out focused.”

The winner of the series will face the survivor of the Trinity (Dublin) vs. Terrell Academy semifinal matchup. If Piedmont wins, the Cougars would host the championship series, regardless of who the opponent is.

“We had a good game with them earlier this year,” Beggs said. “Last year they beat us in the first round so we are looking for some payback. The series will be very tough. We have developed a rivalry with them. Anyone who makes it to the semifinals is going to be a strong team.”

Brittain said the Cougars have to do the necessary things to win.

“We can’t expect to win against anyone,” said Brittain. “We want to keep proving ourselves.”