Lady Cougars Open Region With Big Win

The 2020 region opener was a success for the Piedmont Academy varsity fast-pitch softball team.

The Lady Cougars blanked long-time rival Gatewood 15-0 in a home contest last week behind a 13-hit performance. After scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning and two more in the second, Piedmont sealed the deal with nine additional runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Coach Joe Johnson said he felt good about his team’s chances going into the contest and he was proven right.

Maddie Waddleton and Abby Arnold both had two hits to help lead the offense in last Thursday’s contest. Waddleton drove in three runs while Arnold and Emily Whitwell both had two RBI.

Marissa Holder, Jayden Young and Haley Ann Frank all drew two walks. Young and Frank had three quality at-bats while Holder had two.

Averi Camp earned the win working three innings in the pitcher’s circle while striking out four batters. Camp allowed just three hits.

Defensively, the Lady Cougars did not commit an error.

Piedmont stepped out of region play on Monday and make quick work of visiting Bethlehem Christian Academy in a 15-0 win in three innings. The Lady Cougars set the tone early with five runs in the bottom of the first inning and nine more in the second. Another run in the bottom of the third inning ended the game on the mercy rule.

The Piedmont offense compiled 12 hits led by Holder, Frank and Emily McEwen with two each. McEwen and Ava Anglin both had three RBI while Young drove in two runs.

McEwen earned the win and recorded two strikeouts. Camp also had a strikeout.

In Tuesday’s game home against Windsor Academy, the Lady Cougars fell 4-1 in eight innings. The teams were tied 1-1 after the seventh inning. The Lady Knights pushed three runs across in the top of the eighth and then held on for the victory.

Frank had three hits for Piedmont to lead the offense.

Camp worked all eight innings for the Lady Cougars in the pitcher’s circle and recorded five strikeouts. Windsor took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning before Piedmont tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Lady Cougars will travel to LaGrange Academy Thursday for a 5 p.m. region contest. Piedmont will then face non-region foe Bethlehem Christian Academy Saturday on the road beginning at 12:30 p.m.