Lady Cougars Win on he Road

The Piedmont Academy softball team held on for an 8-6 victory against Class AAA Westfield on the road Monday in Perry.

After jumping out to an 8-1 lead after the third inning, the Lady Cougars were able to stop a rally attempt in the game’s later innings by the host. Both teams made several defensive miscues, combining for 11 errors.

“It was a good win, but we still have to improve on a lot of things,” said coach Daniel Funt. “ I was proud of the way the girls competed and bared down on defense when they had to. We just need to keep improving.”

Neely Bradford was 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and Hailey Hooper was 1-for-3. Cassidy Cook scored two runs in Monday’s win and Matti Smith scored one. Madison Johnson was also 2-for-4.

Maddie Morton pitched the first five innings recording five strikeouts before Bradford worked the final two frames with two strikeouts.

The varsity Lady Cougars also traveled to John Milledge Academy on Aug. 18, falling 8-4 in a rain-shortened contest.

The teams returned to the field for the start of the sixth inning but since that inning was not finished, the final score reverted back to the score after the fifth.

“John Milledge is a solid team and we just made too many mistakes to win the game,” Funt said. “Games like these are great reminders to keep working and that anybody can beat you on any given day.”

Bradford pitched the first 2.1 innings with four strikeouts while Morton worked the next 2.2 innings.

Offensively, Cook, Haley Tyler and Hooper helped lead the Lady Cougars at the plate.

Piedmont will travel to Gatewood today, Aug. 27, for a 4 p.m. contest before hosting Windsor on Monday at 6 p.m.

The Middle School Lady Cougars fell 13-1 to Westfield on Monday.

“We struggled offensively against the best pitcher we have seen all year,” said coach Cameron Vaughn. “We also made a few mistakes in the field.”

Kenzie Rodgers pitched the Middle School Lady Cougars while Haley Ann Frank walked, stole a base and scored on an RBI by Ava Anglin.