Diamond Cougars Are on a Postseason Roll

Piedmont Academy’s varsity baseball team continues to roll along on its way to the postseason.

The Cougars began a recent busy stretch by defeating Griffin Christian 6-0 on April 23. Piedmont then posted an impressive 7-1 road win against Bethlehem Christian Academy, avenging a loss earlier this spring to the Knights in 10 innings.

The winning ways continued Friday as the Cougars returned to Region 4-AA action with a 15-1 road win against LaGrange Academy.

In last Thursday’s win against Bethlehem Christian, Zach Beggs connected for three homers and drove in all seven of the team’s runs.

Beggs connected on a two-run homer in the top of the first and then delivered another two-run blast in the top of the third inning.

BCA pushed a run across in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by P.J. Klein. The Knights had a chance to score more runs in the inning but a double play, started by a dropped line drive to short stop, ended the rally.

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Beggs closed the door on BCA in the top of the sixth with a three-run homer.

“I tried to just keep it simple and make solid contact,” Beggs said. “I like playing Bethlehem because they are a good team. They beat us the first time this season so we knew we had to be ready to compete.”

Almost equally as impressive as Beggs’ performance at the plate was Mike Davis’ work on the pitcher’s mound.

Davis went the distance allowing just three hits while striking out seven. He allowed just two walks and one run to a BCA team which typically has plenty of offensive firepower.

“This win felt good,” Davis said. “They got us earlier so we knew we had to be ready to compete. I tried to come in prepared and just go out and pitch as well as a I could. It was a good win for us against a good team.”

The Cougars wasted little time in dispatching of LaGrange Academy the following day as they scored seven runs in the top of the first.

Jared Smith, Tyler Mills, Beggs, Josh Williams and Wyatt Galloway each contributed offensively. Malcom Tyler, Zack Wilson, Mack Brady, Smith, Mac Brittain and Noah Quick each had multiple stolen bases. Mills also homered in the contest. Galloway, Brady, Smith and Beggs all doubled.

Beggs worked the first two innings while Luke Andrews closed the door with a combined seven strikeouts.

Piedmont also defeated Central Fellowship 11-3 Monday on the road in a non-region contest. Andrews went seven innings and had five strikeouts while allowing just two earned runs.

At the plate, Smith was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI while Mills finished 2-for-3 with two runs. Williams also went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. Alan Powell added a 1-for-1 day with a run. Hunter Knox was 2-for-4 with an RBI while Brady was 1-for-2 with a run scored. Beggs and Knox both had doubles.

Tuesday’s scheduled game against Griffin Christian was not played due to weather and field conditions. Since it is a region contest, the game will be made up.

Piedmont returns to region action Friday at home against Flint River at 4:30 p.m. The team will also travel to Heritage Monday in its final regular season game.

The Cougars are now 21-4 overall (6-0 in region play) and are closing in on a program record for victories in a season.