Diamond Cougars Crush Briarwood Tuesday

The Piedmont Academy baseball team stayed alive in the playoff chase with a 17-0 road victory against Briarwood Tuesday.

Cole Hamilton pitched two scoreless innings to record the win in the four-inning contest. McKenzie Brittain closed out the final two frames.

Hamilton was 2-for-3 at the plate with a three-run homer, a double and six RBI. Josh Brennan also had a huge day at the plate with a grand slam and five RBI. Zach Beggs was 3-for-3 in Tuesday’s game.

“We played well,” said coach Danny Camp. “Hopefully it will continue. We got some help as Brentwood beat Covenant. There is a chance we could finish third in the region. We just have to keep winning. That’s what we can control.”

Several teams are still battling for the final two state playoff spots from Region 1-AA as the regular season begins to draw to a close.

{{more}}

Camp’s team defeated non-region foe John Hancock Academy 12-0 in five innings Monday in Sparta. Luke Andrews earned the win while Jakey Dunagan and Brittain also saw time on the pitcher’s mound.

“We had a chance to play everyone,” Camp said. “Everyone got at least two at-bats. We jumped on them early and did what we needed to do.”

Piedmont defeated region foe Windsor 5-3 last Friday in a key Region 1-AA matchup for the Cougars.

Beggs worked the first 4.1 innings scattering four hits and allowed two runs.

“I can’t say enough about the job Zach has done,” Camp said. “It was another great outing for him.”

The defensive effort was also vital to the win as Piedmont turned three double plays. One of the key double plays came when Seth Harvey made a catch in right field and then threw a Windsor runner out trying to reach home.

Brittain worked 2.1 innings before Hamilton came in to close the door on the Knights.

“All three did their job,” Camp said. “It was a total team effort. We made plays when we had to. Our bats continue to come alive. Even when we made outs, we hit it hard.”

Brennan was 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI while Daniel Leinweber drove in a run while going 2-for-4. Beggs also drove in two runs.

“We have some players in our lineup that if they get hot offensively, they can carry us,” Camp said. “We are controlling our own destiny now in terms of making the playoffs. We have to stay buckled down and keep winning.”

Piedmont will host Gatewood Friday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. before venturing to Loganville Christian Academy Monday, also at 4:30 p.m.

In other recent action, the Cougars defeated Central Fellowship 21-4 on April 17. Brennan was 5-for-6 in that contest while Hamilton recorded the win.