Game Recap from Kingsmen Baseball
By Jerob Moon- Sports Information
YORK- The Piedmont Pride (25-8) split a doubleheader against the Lake Norman Copperheads (16-18) to finish off the regular season on Friday. The Pride won the first game which was a makeup of a rained out game from July 8th, 12-0. Game Two went in favor of the Copperheads 9-6, but despite the loss the Pride capped off an impressive season with a second place finish in the SCBL.
“I thought we played well overall. In Game One we swung the bats real well and we pitched real well,” Coach Joe Hudak commented. “In Game Two anytime you put yourself in a six-run hole after one inning, that’s hard to come back from. But I thought we hung in there and battled.”
Game One resumed play in the top of the second with the Pride already leading 3-0. The game was blown open with a grand slam in the second by Joe Campagna and it gave the Pride a comfortable lead 7-0. Campagna capped off an impressive week hitting two homeruns and driving in 11 runs in the five games played.
The Pride offense was consistent scoring in every inning but the third. The team scored a run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth, and capped off the night with a two-run homerun by Brian Moore in the seventh, his second straight game with a homerun. The middle of the order for the Pride did the most damage, Josh Baker, Joe Campagna, and Roury Glanton each had two hits. The trio drove in six runs and scored three times in the game.
The pitching staff was excellent limiting the Copperheads to a single hit. Cory Conway pitched four no-hit innings, and earned his fourth win pulling him into a three way for the team lead.
Game Two the Copperheads responded with a six-run first inning. The Pride pitchers struggled with their command surrendering four walks, and all ten Copperhead batters reached base in the first. The Pride didn’t give up after being down 6-0 early and made the game more competitive. Jake Wright scored on a pass ball in the second, and Tee Dubose and Campagna both delivered RBI singles.
The Pride finish second in the SCBL this season and earn a first round bye in the SCBL Playoffs that start next week. Coach Hudak is proud of his team but knows there is still work to be done. “I told the guys after the game that it has been a great season. But now it’s time for the second season and we have to be ready for that. We’ll enjoy a couple of days off and then be ready to execute in the playoffs.”
The Pride will play their first playoff game on Tuesday at York Comprehensive High School. The opponent has yet to be determined, but the game will start at 7 pm.
