Lady Cougars Prepare for New Softball Season
The Piedmont Academy fast-pitch softball team is eager to earn more accolades as the 2018 season arrives.
After winning the school’s first state softball championship last fall the Lady Cougars open the new campaign Thursday, Aug. 9, against Eastside High School of Covington. The home game is set to begin at 6 p.m.
“We are ready for the new season,” said coach Colt Spivey. “We have had good preparation in recent days.”
Piedmont played in a preseason tournament last week recording wins against Tattnall Square, Mt. de Sales and Southland. Westfield, the defending AAA state champion, defeated the Lady Cougars but Spivey said the preseason games will each prove beneficial.
“We beat two of the bigger Macon schools so that is a good sign,” Spivey said. “Westfield is very good again and seeing them early will help us.”
The coach said he used the four preseason games as a way to get players game experience. He noted several players were used at different spots on the field than they customarily play.
With seven seniors on this season’s roster, Spivey said the experience is there for another playoff run.
“Pitching will be a strength for us,” the coach said. “We’ve always had good pitching. If you have one good pitcher in fast-pitch you are better than half the teams you play. If you have two good pitchers then you are better than most.”
Piedmont, which was also set to scrimmage against Bulloch Academy Tuesday in Statesboro, will play a strong schedule in 2018. The regular season opener against Eastside is just one of the team’s matchups with Georgia High School Association (GHSA) opponents.
Following the opener the Lady Cougars will host Windsor Academy on Monday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. before traveling to Westfield in Perry the following day August 14 for a 7 p.m. contest. Piedmont will travel to John Milledge Academy on Thursday, Aug. 16 for a 4 p.m. contest. Westfield and John Milledge are both Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) AAA programs.
“The players are excited to start the season,” Spivey said. “We think we have a very good returning team.”
Several team members spent a majority of the summer playing travel league softball gaining more experience for the upcoming campaign.