Softball Lady Cougars Are Region Champs

It was a historic night for the Piedmont Academy fast-pitch softball program.

The Lady Cougars defeated visiting Flint River 7-1 Tuesday and in the process won the Region 1-AA title, the first in school history.

“In the past it has never gone our way,” said coach Daniel Funt. “Flint River and LaGrange have always had very good teams and while we’ve also had quality teams, we were never able to win region. Things fell right for us this year. You have to be good as well as have a little luck.”

Maddie Morton earned the win Tuesday pitching 4.1 innings allowing only two hits and one run (not earned.) She also had three strikeouts. Neely Bradford recorded the save pitching the final 2.2 innings with five strikeouts and not allowing any hits.

“This program has been very successful since I have been here and I am blessed and lucky to be a part of it,” Funt said. “Maddie and Neely, our pitchers, have done an awesome job. Offensively, we were able to slow the game down and get the job done. The entire team contributed offensively. On defense, we made the plays we needed to make. Keeping things in perspective, we know that we need to continue to improve because the playoff road is going to be tough.”

Madison Johnson was 3-for-4 at the plate Tuesday with an RBI while Cassidy Cook was 2-for-3 with two runs. Bradford was 1-for-3 with a run and a walk and Madison Burnham was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

The Lady Cougars jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning and led 3-0 after four. Piedmont’s three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning gave the team some breathing space.

“Even though the final score ended up 7-1, it was still a close game,” Funt said. “I am proud of the team. I feel like they have become a true team and good things happen when you do.”

Prior to Tuesday, the varsity Lady Cougars fell to rival Gatewood 4-1 in another home non-region contest.

“It was a tough loss being a rival opponent, but we struggled with execution offensively and when that happens, you probably aren’t going to win,” Funt said.

Gatewood scored the first run of the game in the top of the third inning and pushed two more across in the top of the fourth inning. The Lady Cougars scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning before the Lady Gators added one more in the top of the seventh for a 4-1 final.

Hailey Hooper and Amelia Dodson both finished 1-for3 while Bradford was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Piedmont was scheduled to play at LaGrange Academy Wednesday and will host Briarwood today, Sept. 24 for Senior Night. Seniors on the 2015 team will be recognized in between the Middle School and varsity games.

The Lady Cougars will then close out the regular season with games against Westfield at home on Monday and at Loganville Christian Academy on Oct. 1.