Diamond Cougars Preseason Scrimmage

Piedmont Academy’s varsity baseball team used a preseason scrimmage to help gain playing experience for the upcoming 2019 season.

The Diamond Cougars faced Social Circle High School last Friday falling on the road 5-3. The outcome was not as important for coach Colt Spivey as the fact the event allowed him to get many of his younger players competition.

“We were missing seven of our players who are still involved in basketball,” Spivey said. “We had a chance for some of our younger players to show what they can do. We had some players out of their normal positions.”

The Piedmont coaches used the scrimmage to get their pitchers work on the mound. Matthew Griffin, David Bishop, Clayton Carter, Chase Porter and Jacob Ferguson each had the opportunity to throw.

Offensively, Porter had a triple for the Diamond Cougars. Spivey said his team also took advantage of some walks to score its three runs.

“I was very pleased with how we did,” the coach said. “We played well defensively. Offensively it was only the second time this preseason we have seen live pitching.”

Piedmont’s varsity boys basketball team was scheduled to begin play in the state tournament Wednesday. Regardless of the outcome of that game Spivey said he will not have his entire roster for Friday’s regular season opener at Bulloch Academy in Statesboro.

“Whenever basketball season ends I am going to give those players two days off,” Spivey said.

Piedmont’s 2019 home opener will be the following Friday, Feb. 22, in a rematch with Bulloch. Both games will begin at 4 p.m.