Lady Cougars Fall in Playoffs

The 2015 season came to a sudden and disappointing end for the Piedmont Academy softball team Saturday.

The Lady Cougars won the first game 5-4 against Brentwood in the Class AA state tournament but then fell in the second and third contests 6-1 and 8-2.

“We just didn’t do well enough offensively,” said coach Daniel Funt.

Maddie Morton earned the win in the series opener with Neely Bradford recording the save. Alexis Dodson scored what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Morton started the second game and was pitching well when Funt decided to make a pitching change.

“She was cruising through the order and I made the decision to make a change,” the coach said. “Brentwood got their offense going. In hindsight, I feel like I should have kept her in since she was throwing so well. I went with what we had been doing the last month and a half and I kick myself for it now. Of course, we weren’t doing anything at the plate and that was also a big factor.”

In the series deciding game, Brentwood scored six runs in the first inning to take control early.

“I felt like we were prepared,” Funt said. “We had scouted their pitchers, but we just didn’t deliver at the plate. The effort was there. We gave it all we had. It just wasn’t our day. I had a fear that with the long layoff due to the weather that our bats might be affected. We had some girls who were doing well at the plate but they couldn’t get that momentum back.”

Even after winning the series opener, the Piedmont coach said he knew the battle was not over.

“Brentwood is a good team,” Funt said. “They are very athletic and their coach has been at it a long time. It’s a good program and I knew it would be tough.”

Prior to the start of the state tournament, the Lady Cougars were able to play one final regular season game on Oct. 8 at home against Thomas Jefferson.

Piedmont posted a 13-3 win on a day where the Lady Cougar seniors were able to be recognized after several rainout dates.

“The Thomas Jefferson game was a great experience for us,” Funt said. “We are thankful for them traveling here for the game. Both teams needed valuable playing time in order to prepare for the playoffs. The weather has hindered so many teams this season.”

The coach also credited his seniors (Taylor Swart, Haley Tyler, Amelia Dodson and Matti Smith) for their leadership on and off the field.

“We wish them the best of luck going forward,” Funt said. “It is a great group of young ladies who have many qualities to help them be successful in the future.”

In the win, Tyler was 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and a run while Dodson was 2-for-4 with a run. Bradford was 1-for-4 as was Madison Johnson. Bradford and Johnson both had an RBI.