Blake Colston
sports@piedmontnewsonline.com
Piedmont’s baseball team isn’t entering the postseason the way it likely would’ve hoped to.
The Wildcats (12-20) have lost seven consecutive games and 10 of 11 as they prepare for their regional playoff opener at home today against Altus (7-24) at 2 p.m.
Still, Piedmont is the top seed – thanks to an 8-4 record and a second place finish in District 5A-2 – in a regional that also features second-seeded MacArthur (24-8) and No. 3 seed Guymon (7-22).
So there’s reason for optimism that the ‘Cats can regroup, put together a strong week of play, win three games and reach a program-record third straight state tournament.
“Our goal was never to have 20-plus wins in the regular season and I told our guys that,” head coach Kory Williams said. “Our goal was to host a regional and we accomplished that. Now it’s time to accomplish our next goal.”
A little bit of everything has gone wrong over Piedmont’s month-long swoon. Piedmont’s ERA is nearly 8.00 during the slump and the team’s batting average is down nearly 30 points from its season average of .295. The ‘Cats defense has faltered at critical times, too, which has contributed to nine losses by two runs or less.
“We’ve just got to put it all together at the same time. When we’ve hit well we haven’t pitched well or played defense, when we’ve pitched well and fielded the ball we haven’t hit,” Williams said. “If we can put all the facets together at one time we’ll be OK.”
Shortstop Casey Cooper (.365, 17 RBI’s, 28 runs scored) and second baseman Easton McClure (.352, 24 RBI’s, 34 runs scored) pace Piedmont offensively. Dylan Hampton (two home runs, 25 RBI’s, .310) provides the Wildcats best power threat.
On the mound, Williams said he plans to save his top two starters, Jared Gay (3-2, 3.90 ERA) and Jacob Ellis (2-4, 3.80 ERA) for later in the regional. Cooper (0-4, 13.58 ERA) and Caden Storts (3-1, 5.82 ERA) will likely pitch early on. Senior Parker Greenhill has missed most of the season with an injury, but will be available in relief.
With Guymon and Altus struggling, on paper, the chase for the regional title appears that it will boil down to a matchup between Mac and PHS.
After racking up losing seasons in recent years, the Highlanders have bounced back under head coach Rodney DeLong. MacArthur reached the state tournament last season after finishing 26-11 and appears to be a more complete team this season.
“They’re athletic at shortstop and in center field. I know their No.1 pitcher has been starting since he was a freshman and he swings it pretty well, too,” Williams said.
The Highlanders and Wildcats have not met this season.
MacArthur faces Guymon today at 4 p.m., with the winner of both games meeting at 6 p.m. in a regional semifinal. The regional title tilt is scheduled for 6:30 Friday night with an if-necessary contest set for noon Saturday.
