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July 15, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville Little League 12U's Sawyer Ezell struck out three and closed out a 4-1 victory on Tuesday. Cartersville Little League 12U baseball moved one step closer to winning its first-ever state championship Tuesday night with a 4-1 win over Warner Robins-American Little League at the Georgia Championship in Macon. The victory sends Cartersville to the championship round of the double-elimination tournament on Thursday evening as the only unbeaten team remaining in the event. Cartersville 12U scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning for a 2-0 lead and added two more in the fifth as insurance. Hayes Burris and Sawyer Ezell had RBI hits in the fourth inning for Cartersville. Sawyer White singled and later scored on a passed ball in the fifth inning. Gavin Hamm drove in the locals’ fourth run with a groundout that scored Connor Murphy. Cartersville pitchers Messiah Carter and Ezell combined for nine strikeouts and allowed only four hits and two walks. Carter made the pitching start and worked into the fifth inning. Ezell did not allow a run or a hit and retired the final four outs of the game, including three by strikeout. Burris finished with two hits and one RBI. Grayson Dean, Carter Harris,  Ezell (double, RBI), and White added one hit. The loss sends Warner Robins-American to an elimination game on Wednesday night against Smyrna. Smyrna blanked Peachtree City on Tuesday, 10-0.  The Warner Robins-American / Smyrna winner will play Cartersville for the state championship on Thursday at 6 p.m. Cartersville needs one win to claim the title. If a second game is needed on Thursday, it will be played immediately after the first game.

July 14, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Updates on local professionals in Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and the PGA TOUR Americas. MLB ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers (Major League Baseball; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … made a start at third base this past Sunday afternoon in the Brewers’ 8-1 home win over the Washington Nationals. Seigler was 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBI. His second-inning single into right field gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. He also made an unsuccessful seventh-inning pinch-hitting appearance last Wednesday (July 9) in a 3-2 home win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old is now 2-for-11 since being called up from Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers (56-40) enter the All-Star break riding a seven-game winning streak and trail the Chicago Cubs by one game in the National League Central. They lead the Wild Card race by 1-½ games over the New York Mets and four over the San Diego Padres. Milwaukee visits the Dodgers this weekend for a three-game series. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … received no decision in two, five-inning appearances this past week at the El Paso Chihuahuas. The 24-year-old righty made a five-inning start on July 8 and worked five innings of relief this past Sunday. Both games were eventual losses for the Aviators, who finished the week 3-3 in El Paso. Barnett is 5-1 this season in 17 starts for the Aviators and two relief appearances. He has 85 strikeouts in 90 innings with a 5.50 ERA.  Las Vegas (59-34 overall) is 10-8 entering baseball’s all-star break. The Aviators host the Round Rock Express for a three-game series this weekend. LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … improved his season record to 8-3 last Wednesday (July 9) with a five-inning scoreless start at the Fort Wayne Tin Caps. Quad Cities went on to win the game 5-0. The 23-year-old right-hand pitcher allowed just two hits and did not issue a walk while fanning three. Martin has made 16 starts this season and has 59 strikeouts in 72-⅓ innings with a 3.73 ERA. Quad Cities (51-35 overall) was 3-3 last week and enters baseball’s all-star break with a 12-8 record in the second half of the Midwest League race. The River Bandits play a three-game home series this weekend with the Peoria Chiefs. PGA TOUR Americas BUCK BRUMLOW — (1st year pro; University of Georgia; Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 70-68 (2-under-par) last Thursday and Friday but missed the 36-hole cut at the Bromont Open held at Golf Chateau-Bromont in Quebec. Seventy-seven players advanced to the weekend at 5-under-par or better. Dillon Stewart, who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, fired rounds of 63-63-66-67 to win his first career victory on the PGA TOUR Americas circuit. The next event is the Ottawa Open at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Ontario on July 24-27.

July 14, 2025 Mike Garcia / WBHF-Cartersville contributor Josh Brock will be the new color analyst for the Georgia Bulldogs' radio broadcasts in 2025. The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Josh Brock will take on a significant role in the upcoming 2025 Georgia football season as the new color analyst for the Georgia Bulldog Radio Network. A former offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, Brock played from 2002 to 2005, contributing to SEC Championship teams in 2002 and 2005.   Currently, he works as a managing partner at Brock Fields Financial Advisors of Raymond James in Cartersville, where he resides with his wife, Tamara, and their daughters, Carder and Mary Collins.   In addition to his new role, Brock has been actively involved in Georgia football media, serving as an analyst on the Bulldogs Live call-in show and contributing to the Dawg Talk postgame radio show. His experience also includes high school football on WBHF, where he contributed to Countdown to Kickoff, provided sideline commentary for the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes, and participated in the postgame show for 15 years.   Brock steps into the booth to replace long-time analyst Eric Zeier, who held the position for 17 seasons. He will join the permanent play-by-play voice, Scott Howard, and former Georgia teammate DJ Shockley, as Shockley begins his fifth season as the sideline reporter. This change was in the football media guide released by Georgia ahead of SEC Media Days in Atlanta this week.

July 13, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Harris Pressley homered, went 3-for-3 at the plate, and was the winning pitcher Sunday afternoon as Cartersville Little League 12U topped Smyrna 5-1 and won its second round game at the Georgia Little League State Tournament at Vine Ingle Little League in Macon. Harris Pressley smacks one of his three hits Sunday in Cartersville Little League 12U's 5-1 victory over Smyrna. Pressley was also the winning pitcher as Cartersville advanced to the final three and is one of only two undefeated teams remaining in the double-elimination state tournament in Macon. Pressley made the pitching start and tossed 5-⅓ innings to earn the pitching victory. He allowed one earned run on five hits with no walks and fanned three. Messiah Carter faced the final four batters in the sixth inning and retired the final two outs to close out the win on the mound. Cartersville 12U struck for four runs in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of three base hits and two Smyrna errors. The score remained 4-0 until Smyrna hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. Pressley answered the Smyrna run with a solo shot to left field in the top of the sixth to score Cartersville’s fifth run. Hayes Burris, Grayson Dean, Sawyer White, and Gavin Hamm had one hit each for the locals. Sawyer Ezell was credited with an RBI. In other action in Macon on Sunday, Warner Robins-American also stayed unbeaten in the double-elimination tournament with a 10-0 victory over Peachtree City. Franklin County defeated Oconee County 10-6 in an elimination game, and Northern-Columbus eliminated Martinez-Evans 16-3. On Monday, Smyrna will play Franklin County, and Peachtree City will take on Northern-Columbus in elimination games.  Cartersville and Warner Robins-American will have an off day on Monday before squaring off on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Tuesday’s winner will advance to the championship round on Thursday, but the loser will be forced to play an elimination game on Wednesday night.

July 12, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville Little League 12U opened the 2025 state tournament on Saturday afternoon in Macon with a dominating 15-0 win over Martinez-Evans Little League in three innings. Cartersville scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning and ended the game early with nine runs in the bottom of the third inning.  The locals out-hit Martinez-Evans nine to one. Harris Pressley issued one walk in the first inning, but otherwise struck out the side without allowing a hit. Grayson Dean pitched two shutout innings with two strikeouts. Pressley had two hits for Cartersville, including a two-run home run in the first inning. Hayes Burris also had two hits, including one double and one RBI. Connor Murphy had a triple with two RBI. Dean (RBI), Hayden Stewart, Sawyer Ezell, and Messiah Carter added one hit. Cartersville 12U advanced to the second round of the double-elimination tournament to play Smyrna Little League on Sunday at noon. Smyrna edged Northern-Columbus on Saturday, 4-3. In other first-round games, Warner Robins-American blanked Franklin County and Peachtree City shut out Oconee County by identical 10-0 scores. The Georgia 12U state tournament continues through Thursday at Vine Ingle Little League in Macon.

July 11, 2025 The Georgia Little League State Tournament begins on two fields Saturday at Vine Ingle Little League in Macon, where eight district champions will battle it out in a double-elimination bracket that will continue through Thursday, July 17. Cartersville Little League 12U will represent District 1 and is scheduled to square off with Martinez-Evans Little League on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the opening round.  The other three first-round matchups on Saturday include Franklin County Little League vs. Warner Robins-American Little League at 10:30 a.m., Oconee County Little League vs. Peachtree City Little League at 10:30 a.m., and Smyrna Little League vs. Northern-Columbus Little League at 1 p.m. Four more games, including two elimination games, will be played on Sunday. There will be two elimination games on Monday evening, a pair of games on Tuesday evening, and one elimination game on Wednesday night before Thursday’s championship round. Little League 12U baseball started in Georgia in 1951, and although Cartersville Little League started in 1954 and has represented its district more times than any other program, the local league is seeking its first-ever state title in the 12U division. Historically, Georgia Little League baseball has produced six Southeast Region champions and three World Series champions. East Marietta Little League won the Region and World titles in 1983. Northern-Columbus Little League and Warner Robins-American Little League won back-to-back Region and World Series championships in 2006 and 2007.  Northern-Columbus won the Southeast Region in 2010, and Warner Robins-American did the same in 2011, but both were eliminated at the Little League World Series. The most recent region champion from Georgia was Peachtree City-American in 2018.

July 10, 2025 Cartersville Little League Baseball 10U had its 2025 state tournament run come to an end Wednesday night with a 4-3 loss to Smyrna Little League 10U at Brinkley Park in Smyrna. Cartersville finished 3-2 in the state tournament, placing third. Both losses came at the hands of Smyrna, who will play Warner Robins American Little League 10U for the state championship on Thursday. In Wednesday night’s loss, Cartersville 10U trailed 4-0 through two innings, and the game was halted due to lightning in the area. When the game resumed around 10:30 p.m., Cartersville posted one run in the fourth inning and managed two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, but could not extend the game. The locals had a potential tying run on third base with only one out in the final frame, but the Smyrna pitcher recorded two strikeouts to silence the Cartersville threat. Camaro Geldhauser (4-⅓ IP, 4ER, 6H, 2BB, 3K) and Braden Taylor (1-⅔ IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 2K) were the pitchers of record for Cartersville.  Wheeler Arthur (RBI), Will Moore, Jaxon Martin, and Tripp Walker had one hit each. Cartersville 10U finished the year as the Georgia District 1 champions, earning state tournament wins over Athens (7-6), Northern-Columbus (6-2), and Peachtree City (12-4). Team members include: Wheeler Arthur, Caleb Cox, Anders Dial, Camaro Geldhauser, Cas McFarland, Jaxon Martin, Will Moore, Will Porter, Finley Rogan, Hudson Russell, Braden Taylor, Josh Villareal, and Tripp Walker. Coaches: Blake Arthur, Chad Walker, and Derek Geldhauser.

July 9, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com When former Cartersville High and University of Georgia golfer Buck Brumlow sticks a tee in the ground on the first hole of the Golf Chateau-Bromont Course in Quebec, Canada, Thursday morning, it will be the beginning of only his third competitive round of a new professional career. The former Cartersville Purple Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs standout is one of the newest members of PGA Tour Americas after earning an exemption as a Top 25 finisher in the PGA TOUR University standings during his collegiate senior season. Brumlow, 22, missed the cut at the Discover New Brunswick Open last week after shooting 70-73. It was his first tournament as a professional, following an outstanding amateur career at the University of Georgia, where he was a 2025 Southeast All-Region honoree and named to the Second Team All-Southeastern Conference.  In his four years as a Bulldog, Brumlow never missed a tournament and joined fellow UGA and PGA TOUR stars Russell Henley, Kevin Kisner, Brian Harman, and Trent Phillips as the only players to accomplish the feat. Brumlow won the 2025 Ford Collegiate and had eight Top Ten finishes in his senior season. He helped lead the Bulldogs back to the NCAA Championships in Carlsbad, California, where they struggled to a 22nd-place finish. “I think the most important lesson I learned last week is to control what I can control,” said Brumlow on Monday morning as he began preparations for his second pro event. “Golf is a difficult game, and it can be unfair at times, but you have to accept it, move forward, and understand there isn’t anything you can do about the bad breaks.” His talent was evident throughout his entire collegiate career, but he admits he turned a corner during his final year as a Bulldog. “My senior season gave me a ton of confidence,” noted Brumlow. “Just knowing I can win and can put myself in a position to win consistently gave me the boost I needed to turn professional.” Brumlow took on the first tournament last week with only a few familiar faces surrounding him. “I’m up here with a few teammates from UGA, which has been nice,” said Brumlow. “I didn’t bring a caddy for these first two events, but I would love to have someone to travel and walk the course with me. My family has been great, calling me and checking on me, and my girlfriend is flying up this week, which I’m excited about.” This week, the ten-event Canadian swing of the PGA Tour Americas moves to Golf Chateau-Bromont in Quebec, about one hour east of Montreal. Brumlow said he is leaning on information he received from his swing coach at UGA the last two seasons. “Mookie Demoss was my coach the last two years at UGA, and played on this Tour for a couple of years. He gave me good information on the travel, how the golf courses will be set up, and how to prepare myself for playing golf in a different country.” Brumlow understands the importance of securing his footing as a professional, and the expenses of trying to climb the pro ranks can add up quickly. “You don’t make a lot of money on this tour, and you spend a lot on travel and hotels, so sponsorships are key. I don’t have many at the moment, but hopefully will figure that out soon.” Making cuts and climbing the Fortinet Cup points race of the PGA Tour Americas is also essential. Only the top ten players on the final Fortinet Cup Standings at the end of the season earn exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership for the following season. The Korn Ferry Tour is the primary developmental circuit for aspiring PGA TOUR players and is essentially the second tier of professional golf in the United States. Climbing the ladder of professional ranks is challenging in every sport, but it can seem particularly daunting in the early days of a pro career in an individual sport. Brumlow knows, however, that he has the talent and the drive to make his mark. UGA head coach Chris Haack described it weeks ago to John Frierson of Georgiadogs.com , “Buck’s just finally believing in himself and how good he is. We keep telling him to trust himself and trust the process.” “I’m a talented golfer,” Brumlow responded to Frierson. “It has just taken me time to mature and figure out how to play my game.” Brumlow plans to stay on the North American segment of PGA Tour Americas for the entire ten-event segment, which continues through September, but remains optimistic that things can change quickly. “I’ll play all the events on this Canadian swing unless I receive a sponsor’s exemption for a PGA TOUR or Korn Ferry Tour event.”

July 9, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville Little League Baseball 10U team won its third consecutive elimination game Tuesday night, defeating Peachtree City Little League 10U 12-4 at the 8-to-10-year-old Georgia Little League State Tournament at Brinkley Park in Smyrna. Cartersville 10U trailed 2-1 after two innings, but posted five runs in the top of the third and three more in the fourth to take a 9-2 lead. Although Peachtree City narrowed the margin to 9-4 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, Cartersville added three in the sixth to finish their eight-run victory. Josh Villareal collected the Cartersville pitching win by working 2-⅔ innings of middle relief. Tripp Walker made the pitching start, and Jaxon Martin closed the game with two scoreless innings. The local pitching trio combined for six strikeouts. Walker led the Cartersville 10U bats with two hits and two RBI. Finley Rogan (three RBI), Camaro Geldhauser (two RBI), Will Moore, Hudson Russell, and Villareal added one hit. The win over Peachtree City moves Cartersville's 10U team into a state semifinal elimination game and a rematch on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Smyrna Little League. Cartersville lost to Smyrna 2-0 in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament last Saturday. In addition to Tuesday night’s win, Cartersville 10U has state tournament wins over Athens (7-6) and Northern-Columbus (6-2) to reach the final three teams remaining in the state tournament. The Cartersville 10U vs. Smyrna winner on Wednesday will need two wins over Warner Robins-American Little League 10U on Thursday to win the state title. The Warner Robins squad is the only remaining team without a loss. The tournament winner earns a bid to the regional Tournament of State Champions, which begins on July 18 in Wilson, North Carolina.

July 8, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Bartow County Little League 12U won the state championship on Tuesday night in West Point with a 12-3 victory over Dudley Little League. In the photo from left: Coach Kenneth Crenshaw, Coach Jessica Baker, Zaylee Hudson, Lily Wilson, Kallaway Crenshaw, Paislee Rooks, Kynzie Poole, Madison Evans, Remi Sewell, Maci Walker, Makenzie Baker, Milania Murphy, Peyton Crabbe, Kaley Nichols, and Manager Karla Crenshaw. The Bartow County Little League Softball 12U team claimed the 2025 Georgia state championship on Tuesday night in West Point, notching a decisive 12-3 win against Dudley Little League. Bartow 12U secured their second victory over Dudley in the double-elimination tournament. The teams faced off in a tough extra-innings match during the second round, with Bartow emerging victorious, 7-6. On Tuesday, Bartow dominated the game from the start, securing a nine-run victory and clinching the state title without losing any of their three games in the tournament. Bartow's other state tournament win was a 9-1 triumph over Columbus-American Little League on Monday night. In Tuesday's title game, Bartow scored three runs in the top of the first inning, followed by five more in the second and two in the third, establishing a 10-0 lead. Dudley responded with a run in the third inning and two additional runs in the fourth, reducing the gap to 10-3, but couldn't close it further. The locals secured their lead by adding two more insurance runs in the top of the sixth, bringing their total to 12 runs. Kallaway Crenshaw tossed a complete game in the circle to earn the title game pitching victory. She allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out four. Meanwhile, Bartow 12U’s bats pounded out 19 hits, including four doubles, and the defense committed only one error. Remi Sewell (two doubles, two RBI) and Kynzie Poole (RBI) paced the Bartow offense with three hits. Crenshaw (double, sac fly, four RBI), Milania Murphy (RBI), Kaley Nichols, and Peyton Crabbe produced two hits. Madison Evans (two RBI), Makenzie Baker (two RBI), Maci Walker (double), Zaylee Hudson, and Lily Wilson added one hit.  As Georgia state champions, Bartow 12U will now prepare for the Southeast Region Tournament that begins on Sunday, July 20 in Warner Robins, Georgia. The seven-team double-elimination bracket will include the state champions from six other states, and ESPN+ and ESPN will televise games.  The first-round matchups on July 20 feature Florida playing against Tennessee at 11 a.m., West Virginia taking on North Carolina at 2 p.m., and Bartow County competing against the South Carolina state champions at 5 p.m. Virginia has a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Florida/Tennessee game on Monday, July 21. The region tournament concludes on Friday, July 25, with the Southeast Region champion advancing to the Little League Softball World Series on August 3-10 in Greenville, North Carolina.

July 8, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com MLB Anthony Seigler collected his first Major League Baseball hit on July 2. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers (Major League Baseball; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … started at third base in both games of a doubleheader at Citi Field last Wednesday and collected his first Major League Baseball hit as the Brewers split a twinbill with the Mets. The 26-year-old also had unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearances on Saturday at Miami and Monday at home against the Dodgers. The Brewers were 3-3 in games last week and host a six-game home stand this week against Los Angeles and the Washington Nationals. Entering Tuesday night, Milwaukee (51-40) trails the Chicago Cubs by 3-½ games in the National League Central. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made his seventeenth start last Wednesday and received no decision in the Aviators’ 13-7 loss at the Oklahoma City Comets. Barnett pitched into the sixth inning and allowed four earned runs on three hits and five walks. The 24-year-old recorded five strikeouts. He left the game with one out in the sixth inning, trailing 3-0 with one runner on base. For the season, the right-handed starter is 5-1 with 70 strikeouts in 80 innings. He has a 5.85 ERA and a WHIP of 1.61. Las Vegas was 2-4 at home last week against Oklahoma City. The Aviators visit the El Paso Chihuahuas for a six-game series this week. Las Vegas (56-31 overall entering the week) has clinched a playoff berth by winning the first-half standings. They are 7-5 in the second half of the Pacific Coast League’s West Division. LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … made his fifteenth start of the season last Wednesday and received no decision in Quad Cities’ 6-5 home loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The 23-year-old right-handed hurler went four innings and allowed two earned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four. He left the game trailing 2-0, but the River Bandits grabbed a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning only to fall behind in the final frame. Martin is 7-3 this season with 56 strikeouts in 67-⅓ innings. He has a 4.01 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Quad Cities (48-32 overall entering the week) was 3-2 last week at home against Cedar Rapids. The Bandits are 9-5 in the second half of the Midwest League’s West Division and visit Fort Wayne this week for a six-game series with the TinCaps. PGA TOUR AMERICAS BUCK BRUMLOW — (1st year pro; University of Georgia; Cartersville HS) … the 22-year-old shot 1-over-par 143 (70-73) and missed the cut in his first professional event last week at the Explore New Brunswick Open in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. The PGA Tour Americas tournament was conducted at the Mactaquac Golf Course. The 36-hole cut narrowed the 156-player field to the low 68 scores. The cut score was 4-under-par on the 7,132-yard par 71 course. The next event on the Canadian swing is the Bromont Open on Thursday through Sunday at the 7,000-yard, par 70 Golf Chateau-Bromont in Quebec.

July 7, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Two of the three local Little League teams alive in state tournament action Monday night won their games. A third local squad was eliminated on a walk-off. The Bartow County Little League Softball 12U team advanced to the state championship round in West Point by defeating Columbus-American 12U, 9-1. Bartow 12U remains undefeated and needs just one win in the double-elimination tournament to clinch the state title. They will play Tuesday at 6 p.m. against the survivor of a 4 p.m. elimination game between Dudley Little League and Columbus-American. In Cobb County, the Cartersville Little League 10U baseball team won a second straight elimination game. Cartersville 10U scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the final inning to outlast Columbus-Northern Little League, 6-2. Cartersville 10U faces Peachtree City in Smyrna on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in another elimination game. The Bartow County Little League Softball 10U team lost an elimination game Monday night in heartbreaking fashion to Hart County, 10-9. Bartow 10U held a 9-2 lead through 4-½ innings, but Hart County scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth and two in the bottom of the sixth for a walk-off victory. Bartow 10U, the Georgia District 1 champions, finished with a 1-2 record in the state tournament.