Achieving The Ultimate Baseball Goal

The game, the series, the season and the championship were all on the line.

The situation was one to make any athlete at any level nervous. For Piedmont Academy’s David Bishop, the key was to focus on one batter at a time and work out of the jam looking him right in the face.

The Cougars held a 4-1 lead after the fourth inning in the third and deciding game of the GISA Class AA championship series. Opponent Gatewood had no intentions of going quietly, however.

A leadoff single by the Gators in the top of the fifth inning was followed by back-to-back walks. Suddenly, a game situation which had looked good for Piedmont moments earlier had been turned on its side.

That’s why it was so important for the Cougar pitcher to remain calm. The bases were loaded with no outs. The three-run lead seemed very much in doubt.

Bishop recorded a strikeout against arguably the best batter for Gatewood. Another strikeout would follow. The bases remained loaded but now the outfield scoreboard at Mercer University showed two outs.

A fly out to center field was secured and just like that Piedmont and Bishop were out of danger. A big sigh of relief was heard during the hot afternoon in Macon.

Pitching out of that jam helped send the Cougars on their way to the state championship. It was the sixth in the past seven seasons for the program. It all started in 2014 and continued through 2018. Piedmont fell short in the semifinals in 2019 and the 2020 season was cut short with no playoffs due to COVID-19.

But the Cougars were back in championship form for 2021. Each player did their respective part in securing another state title.

For Bishop, it was all about staying focused, even when things looked like they were about to take a negative turn.

“The key was to stay calm regardless of how easy it would have been to be nervous,” Bishop said after the win. “I knew what was on the line and that inning was going to be a big part of the outcome.”

By the time the seventh and final inning arrived, Bishop likely didn’t have many nerves. His team had moved in front 9-2 and just three more outs were needed.

On his first pitch of the seventh inning, Bishop got the initial out on a fly ball to center field. That play was followed by a fly out to deep left field.

Now it was down to one more out, perhaps even one more pitch. Yet, Gatewood didn’t throw in the towel as the Gators put runners on base via a hit down the third base line and a walk.

The lead was still safe but there was no need to delay the inevitable any longer. Gatewood’s final batter of the series and season grounded out to second base. The celebration was on. Piedmont was the king of the baseball mountain once again.

“We all worked hard for it,” Bishop said. “I am just thankful I was able to do my part.”

When he was not the pitcher’s mound, Bishop played a key role in right field for his team. He made several defensive putouts and helped the Cougars have solid defensive games.

It was a season where numerous players had key impacts on the season. Whether it was on the pitcher’s mound, in the batter’s box or in the field playing defense, each member of the 2021 Piedmont team played their respective roles to perfection.

Winning a championship is never something that is guaranteed. This Cougar team overcame all obstacles placed before it. They are the definition of champion.

“The trophy says it all,” said Bishop sporting a big smile while being congratulated by family, friends and supporters. “It shows what we have accomplished this season.”

Monticello native Chris Bridges has contributed to The Monticello News since 1988. He welcomes feedback about this column at pchrisbridges@gmail.com.