May 19th 2024.
After an 11-day break, Piedmont's baseball team showed no signs of rust as they took on Hercules in the second round of the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs. The Highlanders, seeded second, seemed to have a renewed energy as they dominated the game with a 5-0 victory. Coach Eric Olson was impressed with his team's performance, saying, "I thought our guys were super fresh. We had a lot of games towards the end of the season. All in all, I was super happy with the way the guys came out today."
Piedmont's junior player, Shafer Dando, had an impressive game with two hits and four RBIs, while Markos Lagios also contributed with two hits and a run. On the mound, pitcher John Olsen pitched a complete game shutout, striking out two and only allowing seven hits. Dando also shared his thoughts on the team's playoff mentality, saying, "We know we have to have our effort increase. We just have to play clean ball. That's it."
Piedmont quickly took the lead in the first inning, with junior Will Parker's RBI single bringing in Lagios. Later in the inning, Dando's deep hit to center field almost went over the wall, resulting in two more runs for Piedmont. The Highlanders' defense was just as strong, with Olsen pitching into contact and relying on his fielders to make plays. In the second inning, when Hercules had runners on first and third with one out, Piedmont executed a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the jam. Dando also made an incredible play in the sixth inning, catching a flyout in right field and then throwing out a runner tagging from second.
Dando's performance was crucial in securing the win for Piedmont. In the fifth inning, his RBI double brought in two more runs, solidifying the Highlanders' lead at 5-0. Coach Olson praised Dando's efforts, saying, "I loved that he wasn't trying to do too much. He had four of our five RBIs and that's what we need. We need guys to step up and deliver in the middle of the lineup."
Although Hercules put up a valiant effort, they were unable to advance to the NCS semifinals. Coach Louis Montgomery expressed his pride in his team's performance throughout the season, especially in their upset victory over Fort Bragg in the previous round. Despite having to travel over three hours for their game, the Titans showed determination and finished second in the Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division. Montgomery reflected, "It was one of the best seasons I had in my seven years here. If every season can end like this, even though it didn't end how we wanted, I'd be happy for sure."
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