Lady Cougars Earn Season Opener Win

Piedmont Academy’s varsity fast-pitch softball team started the 2019 season with a 5-3 home win against Georgia Force Christian last week.

The Lady Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to erase an early 1-0 deficit. Georgia FCA tied the game in the top of the third inning before Piedmont added a run in the bottom half of the third and one more in the bottom of the fourth.

“I was pleased with the effort,” coach Joe Johnson said. “We had some first game nerves but that was to be expected.”

Emily McEwen was the winning pitcher. She faced 28 batters throwing a total of 82 pitches, 49 of which were strikes.

Madison Johnson crushed a homer over the center field fence in the bottom of the third inning.

Haley Ann Frank, Fleming Sealy and Johnson all racked up multiple hits for Piedmont. Frank finished the day 3-for-4.

Maddie Waddleton made the most defensive plays with 11. The Lady Cougars also turned one double play during the course of the game on a line drive to the McEwen who then caught the runner on first base with a throw to Waddleton.

“We didn’t hit throughout the lineup like I thought but that also goes back to it being the first game,” Johnson said. “It was good to see us get our first win in the books. I think we will be fine after as we get more game experience.”

The Lady Cougars (1-1 overall) fell to Windsor Academy 4-1 Monday in Macon. The game was competitive with the score tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the fifth when the Lady Knights took the lead.

Piedmont actually had more hits than Windsor (8-6) in the contest. Abby Arnold was in the pitcher’s circle for the Lady Cougars working five innings and striking out two batters. Melanie Karoffa worked an inning in relief.

Frank once again was 3-for-4 at the plate. Fleming Sealy and Johnson also contributed.

“We didn’t play that bad,” Johnson said. “Overall our defense was solid and we had good pitching. As the season progresses we should get a little better at the plate.”