Diamond Cougars Clinch Region

The Piedmont Academy baseball team has earned another trophy.

With Monday’s 18-3 win against visiting Flint River Academy the Diamond Cougars clinched the GISA Region 1-AA title. The victory against the Wildcats was another impressive performance by coach Colt Spivey’s team.

“We actually started a little slow but our bats woke up in the third inning when we scored 13 runs,” the coach said. “We did what we were supposed to do.”

The region title will give Piedmont the chance to have a bye in the upcoming state playoffs.

“It will give us some extra time to get everyone healthy,” Spivey said. “We also need to work on a few things. We still made some mistakes against Flint River.”

Piedmont was led by several players offensively on Monday including Tate Marks who had four hits. Drake Coody and Owen Brady also had big performances at the plate in Monday’s game connecting for two hits each.

Rob Allgood drove in four runs while Chase Porter had three RBI. The Cougars fell behind 3-0 after the top of the first inning but answered with four runs in the bottom half. Piedmont added another run in the fourth before having its big third inning.

Sam Wright earned the win striking out six batters.

The Cougars also cruised by Brandon Hall last Friday 15-0 for another region win.

In that game Marks and Wright had three hits while Coody had two. Zach Spivey and Allgood both drove in two runs while Marks had one RBI.

Marks earned the win not allowing a hit in three innings. He recorded all nine outs by strike out.

Piedmont scored three runs in the top of the first, seven in the second and five more in the third. Overall the Cougars had 11 hits and also took advantage of eight Brandon Hall errors.

“Even with the success the program has enjoyed in recent years it is always an accomplishment to win region,” Spivey said.

With first place in region already secured Piedmont traveled to LaGrange Academy Tuesday afternoon.

Piedmont concluded its region schedule Tuesday with a 16-0 win in five innings against LaGrange Academy on the road.

“We played mistake free baseball,” Spivey said. “We were able to get our younger players some valuable game experience. When you are able to get solid contributions from your young team members it is a good sign.”

John Reason had two hits on Tuesday as did Ryan Holder and Porter. Marks, Coody and Chris Pittman each drew walks. Caleb Coffey drove in four runs while Porter had three RBI. David Bishop also collected an RBI.

Cameron Mobley earned the win working four innings. He recorded nine strikeouts.

Piedmont will host Peachtree Academy in a non-region game Monday, April 22 at 5 p.m.