Lady Cougars To Begin Season Friday

The Piedmont Academy softball team will usher in its new season Friday competing in a tournament hosted by Windsor Academy.

The Lady Cougars will begin play Friday against Southwest Georgia at 3 p.m. and Central Fellowship at 4:30 p.m. in games played at Central Fellowship. Depending on the outcomes of those contests, games will continue Saturday in either gold, silver or bronze brackets at Windsor, Central Fellowship or Westfield.

All teams are guaranteed at least four games.

“It’s good to get this experience early in the season,” said second-year head coach Daniel Funt.

The Lady Cougars will be led by four seniors this fall including Taylor Swart, Amelia Dodson, Haley Tyler and Matti Smith. Those four players will anchor the infield for Piedmont the majority of the time. Smith will be at first base with Tyler at second base, Dodson at shortstop and Swart at third base.

Swart will also see some playing at shortstop while Dodson will also be in the outfield, with Tyler also filling in behind the plate. Funt said Smith could also be used some in the pitcher’s circle, especially early in the season.

“All four will be leaders for us,” the coach said. “They will each play key roles for us and all will be important pieces to our success. They are all good kids and we are looking forward to them having the chance to lead our team.”

Madison Burnham and Ashley Johnston are the team’s juniors. Both gained varsity experience last season and are expected to contribute in 2015.

Alexis Dodson and Kylie Garner are the team’s sophomores, who will both likely play in the outfield.

“Both have good speed so they will also be used as courtesy runners,” Funt said.

The freshman class is large and includes Neely Bradford, Maddie Morton, Lucy Tuggle, Cassidy Cook, Hailey Hooper, Mattie Johnson, Rylee Owens, Gracie Hunt and Deacon Robinson.

Bradford and Morton will handle the bulk of the pitching duties this fall. Eighth grader Madison Johnson will be the team’s catcher.

“With Neely and Maddie pitching, we should be in every game,” Funt said. “As a team, we overachieved last year. This year, we have all the ability in the world. We just want them to go out and have fun. It’s not life or death and that’s something we have to remember.”

Following play in the Windsor tournament, Piedmont will host its own event Aug. 7-8 before traveling to Briarwood Academy Aug. 11.

The team is scheduled to scrimmage against John Milledge Academy Tuesday.