Piedmont, Oxford Black fall in AAA
- Updated: July 21, 2014
Piedmont last Calhoun County team alive in O-Zone, AAA fields
TROY — Back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning broke open a tied game and sent Piedmont to an 8-5 loss to Auburn Orange in the Dixie Youth AAA state tournament Monday.
The defending champions now Troy in an elimination game Tuesday at 6 p.m. Wicksburg eliminated Oxford Black 13-3.
“This is the first year we’ve been able to stay in the winner’s bracket like we have,” Piedmont manager Chris Hanson said. “Last year we got put into the loser’s bracket after the first game. I don’t put a lot of merit to it, though; winners or losers, you’re kind of going through the same track.
“It is one of those situations now you lose and you go home. It kind of puts our backs against the wall. I just hope the kids bounce back tomorrow afternoon and continue to play.”
The game was tied 5-5 when Auburn Orange launched a two-run homer and solo shot to take the lead. Piedmont loaded the bases in both the fifth and sixth innings, but in each case Auburn made what Hanson called “unreal defensive plays” to keep balls in the infield and get inning-ending force outs.
Jackson Tolbert had a double and Max Hanson had two singles for Piedmont.
Calhoun County’s two remaining O-Zone tournament teams were eliminated in their tournament in Fairhope.
Piedmont lost to Decatur American 8-4, and Alexandria lost to Fairhope American 11-3.
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