Piedmont catcher Taybor Moss bursts out of her crouch to reel in a throw to home plate. (Photo by JN Photography)
By Jason Nieuwenhuis Sports Writer
The Lady ‘Cats stayed busy last week, playing six games between Thursday and Saturday, wining all but one of them.
Thursday night was a regularly scheduled game with El Reno and Friday and Saturday the Wildcats hosted the NW OKC Festival. The lone loss came at the bats of the OKC Broncos, 9-5. The wins came against El Reno (10-0), Mustang (2-1), Tuttle (5-2), Elgin (10-0) and Coweta (6-3).
As Piedmont makes its push into the final few weeks of the season, playing perennial state tournament teams like Mustang, Coweta and Elgin provided a taste of what the postseason will be like. Piedmont head coach Keith Coleman knows how to prepare his players, having won four of the last five state championships.
“We always want to play the best competition we can,” he said.
Thursday’s game with El Reno was a 6-inning run-rule victory led by a strong outing from senior Cameron Kimball in the circle. She allowed three hits in the contest striking out six and walking none. Addison Cassady went 2 for 2 with two walks and two stolen bases and scored twice. Speedster Nadia Jeffries had three of Piedmont’s 11 total stolen bases as the ‘Cats ran wild on the bases.
Friday and Saturday, Piedmont hosted the NW OKC Festival that brought some of the best 5A and 6A teams in the state to Piedmont. Normally jointly hosted with Deer Creek, Piedmont took the reins after the Antlers had other commitments.
Friday started off with a tough test from the Mustang Broncos, one of the top 6A teams in the state. It was a pitcher’s duel with ace Addison Underwood coming out on top 2-1. She gave up only three hits and an earned run while adding six more strikeouts. Offense was scarce as the Broncos’ pitching staff was also solid, but Senior Braxten Newton walked and was able to steal home to score the first run in the third inning. Cassady drove in the winning run in the fourth as Underwood held Mustang scoreless down the stretch.
The OKC Broncos were the second game on the schedule, and they came out quick with a seven-run second inning. They tacked on a couple more in the fourth and were able to fend off a late charge from the Wildcats. Cameron Kimball took her first loss of the season. One bright spot for the ‘Cats was sophomore Devlyn Patman making her first varsity appearance throwing 2 innings in relief allowing one hit and striking out four.
The final game Friday was a tight game with perennial state title contender Tuttle that saw Piedmont come out on top 5-2. Underwood went the whole way in the circle allowing two runs, striking out four and walking none. Slugger Taybor Moss went 2 for 3 and hit her seventh home run of the season. Senior Hannah Lake and junior Maddie Kimball were 2 for 3, each driving in runs.
Saturday brought games against teams that the ‘Cats will likely see again in the postseason. In a 10-0 victory over Elgin, Cam Kimball was excellent in the circle as she only allowed two hits in the run-rule shortened game. Piedmont blasted 13 hits led by Moss and Lake who both went 3 for 3. Cassady also provided some pop, scoring three and driving three more in.
The final game was against eastern rival Coweta, who the ‘Cats defeated to win the state championship in 2021 and 2022. Underwood battled against the Tigers’ hitters to earn a hard-fought victory. She went seven innings allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out five to bring her season total to 79. Newton moved to leadoff and had a very productive game going 1 for 2 with two runs scored. Moss and Lake continued to provide offense both going 2 for 3 while Moss added two RBIs.
The Wildcats (22-4) head into the stretch run of the season having clinched the district title. Thursday night is senior night as Santa Fe South comes to F&M Bank Stadium for a doubleheader. Eleven seniors will be recognized with activities starting at 6:00 p.m. These seniors have won a state championship every year they have been in high school.
Keep following the Piedmont-Surrey Gazette as they go for a clean sweep.
