Diamond Cougars Will Vie For Unprecedented Fifth GISA Title

It’s been said a team that is a defending state champion has a bullseye on its back.

If that is true then the Piedmont Academy baseball team is the ultimate target as the Diamond Cougars are the four-time defending champs. Coach Wes Tanner’s team returns to the field Tuesday as it tries to do what is really unheard of in high school athletics as it begins a quest for a fifth title in as many seasons.

Piedmont will host Bethlehem Christian Academy Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. to begin the 2018 season. The Cougars have been taking part in preseason practice for several weeks and Tanner believes the team is ready to take the field for a game that counts.

“It’s the blessing and curse of being on top,” Tanner said. “You know you will get everyone’s best. The good thing about this team is they don’t let a whole lot bother them.”

Piedmont will look to a core group of returning players including Tate Marks, Sam Wright, Chase Porter, Owen Brady, Caleb Faircloth, Clayton Carter and Rob Allgood this season.

“Our pitching staff will be our strength,” Tanner said. “We will also pride ourselves on playing quality defense. It’s too early to say how our offense will be. We have some players who have not seen varsity pitching.”

Piedmont’s coach said his team will be in the most competitive region in AA along with Windsor, Brentwood and Thomas Jefferson. Being in a tough region will help the team be battle tested once the postseason arrives, however.

“The key will be to be playing our best when it matters most,” Tanner.

The Cougar coaches said the team has Allgood in its prayers as their team member continues to deal with this health issues.

Overall, Tanner said the team has performed well in preseason work but has battled sickness and illness.