Cougars Defeat Bethlehem Christian

The second time was the charm for the Piedmont Academy baseball team when it came to facing Bethlehem Christian Academy.

After falling to the Knights last week, the Diamond Cougars were able to gain a measure of payback on Monday with a 4-1 road win against BCA. Piedmont (1-1) benefited from a strong pitching performance from starter Sam Wright and some timely offense to record its first victory of the 2018 season.

“The biggest thing for us is that we were able to put pressure on them and forced them to make plays,” said Cougar coach Wes Tanner. “We got good pitching from both Sam and Cameron (Mobley). We should be fine when it comes to pitching. We are going to have to be able to put some runs together to give ourselves a chance.”

Piedmont got on the board with a run in the top of the second when Clayton Carter reached base on an error allowing Owen Brady to score. Carter was thrown out at second on the play.

The Cougars moved in front 2-0 in the top of the third inning. Zach Spivey began the inning with a leadoff walk followed by a walk to Caleb Faircloth. After BCA intentionally walked Chase Porter, Wright singled home Spivey.

Piedmont had a chance to break the game open but could not push any additional runs across in the third.

Wright worked his way out of a jam in the bottom of the fourth after the host Knights began a two-out rally. BCA would leave two runners stranded, however.

In the top of the fourth, Wright delivered a two-run double for a 4-0 lead.

Wright worked the first five innings on the pitcher’s mound for the Cougars recording six strikeouts and allowing just one hit. He walked one batter and did not give up a run.

Mobley, a freshman who started the game in center field, was brought in to pitch in relief and put BCA down in order in the bottom of the sixth inning. He allowed a walk and a pair of hits in the bottom of the seventh but also recorded two strike outs to close the door on the win.

“It was a great performance by a freshman in that situation,” Tanner said of Mobley’s performance.

Brock Harris went the distance for BCA allowing five hits and striking out three.

“I was impressed by his performance,” said Knights coach Matt Nicks. “He is still trying to get all the way back from an elbow injury. He had a great outing against a great team. We had a couple of defensive miscues that hurt us. We didn’t take advantage of the chances we had and Piedmont did. That was the difference.”

Piedmont will return to the field today, March 8 against Peachtree Academy at home beginning at 4:30 p.m.