Lady Cougars Compete at State
Piedmont Academy’s fast-pitch softball team began postseason play Monday sweeping visiting Briarwood to advance to the second round of the GISA Class AA state tournament.
The Lady Cougars took 13-4, 15-6 victories and will now face Citizens Christian Academy in the second round with games scheduled for today, Oct. 9 beginning at 11 a.m. in Douglas. A second game will follow at 1 p.m. and a third game, if necessary, at 3 p.m.
“I’m so proud of the girls for battling back and putting last week behind us,” said coach Daniel Funt. “Everyone contributed which was great to see. We pitched well, played solid defense and swung the bats very well. It we continue that, I love our chances. We need to keep focusing on the journey.”
In the first game Monday, the Lady Cougars jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning and led 6-0 after the fourth. Briarwood managed three runs in the fifth and one in the sixth but Piedmont closed the door with seven more runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning.
Haley Tyler, Cheyenne Galloway and Taylor Swart helped lead the offense. O’Neil Sealy earned the win working all six innings.
In the second game, Briarwood was the designated home team but still trailed 2-1 after the first inning. Piedmont added three more in the second inning and seven more in the third to take control, building a 12-2 cushion. The Lady Cougars added three more in the top of the fifth and even though Briarwood scored four times in the bottom half of the inning, the game was over after five.
Galloway had a solo homer in the second game Monday and Sealy also drove in a run. Morgan Tillman connected for a three-run homer as well.
Piedmont enters the second round at 17-10-1 overall and is the No. 2 seed from Region 1-AA. The Citizens Christian Lady Patriots compete in Region 2-AA.
Prior to Monday’s state tournament games, the Lady Cougars fell 9-3 to Flint River in a game which was a tie-breaker to determine the Region 1-AA champion.
The contest was played at Gordon College as Galloway was 2-for-3 at the plate including two doubles. Morgan Tillman also had an RBI.
Flint River jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning but Piedmont tied the score in the top of the second. The Lady Wildcats then added two in the third and five more in the fifth to give themselves some breathing room. The Lady Cougars scored one run in the both the sixth and seventh innings.
“The loss was heartbreaking,” Funt said. “You go from a state championship like atmosphere at Senior Night against Gatewood with a big come-from-behind win and the region championship was a tough defeat. The atmosphere at Gordon was great and I thank everyone for their support of this team. I give Flint River credit. They made all the plays and had timely hitting. Unfortunately, we didn’t do a lot of things right. It happens and it is just hard to swallow.”
In the Senior Night 7-5 win against Gatewood on Oct. 1, the Lady Cougars scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to complete a furious rally. The teams traded the lead five times in the game.
Ashley Johnston had a big day offensively for Piedmont with a double in the second inning and a homer in the sixth. Madison Burnham also contributed offensively.
Morton allowed five runs over seven innings of work with two strikeouts and no walks.
As his team prepared for state, Funt said he had confidence in each player on the team.
“We are a quality team,” the coach said. “I am proud of the girls for their effort, grit and determination. Class AA is wide open and it will be who plays the best on that day determining who wins it all. I am excited for our girls and I hope they have the time of their lives.”