Woodland softball lost for the first time this season Tuesday night, falling at 4th-ranked Calhoun 7-4. The No. 8 Lady Cats led 1-0 early but fell behind in the bottom of the fourth inning and never regained the lead. Calhoun scored twice in the fourth inning; added a run in the fifth; and scored four more in the sixth inning. Woodland added a single run in the sixth that made the score 3-2 at the time and added two more in the seventh after falling behind 7-2. Haley Collum (6 IP, 7R, 4ER, 8H, 1BB, 6K) suffered the pitching loss. Bailey Ryan led the Lady Cats’ offense with a pair of hits. Ashlyn Baines (two RBIs), Alana Carnes, Mackenzie Araya, Kamryn Smith. Harley Hannah added one RBI. Calhoun improved to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in Region 7-5A. Woodland (4-1, 0-1) visits Pace Academy Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and will host region rival Hiram Thursday at 5:55 p.m. CASS 6, DALTON 4 Cass softball scored five of its six runs in the final three innings to pull out a 6-4 Region 7-5A win Tuesday night at Dalton. The Colonels led 1-0 after one inning but trailed 2-1 heading to the fifth inning. Cass went up 3-2 in the fifth, led 4-3 after six innings, and added two more runs in the top of the seventh. Darianna Sosa (double) and Bailey York (RBI) led the Lady Colonels’ offense with two hits each. Braelyn Franklin (RBI), Reese Howard (RBI), Autumn Smith (RBI), Payton Mize, and Harlee Thomason added one hit apiece. York (7 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 5BB, 2K) went the distance in the circle for Cass to pick up the pitching victory. The Colonels (2-5, 1-0) step outside region play Wednesday by hosting Wheeler then return to region action Thursday at home against 4th-ranked Calhoun.

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes and the Cass Colonels will open the 2023 season this Friday night ranked in the Top Ten in Class 5A by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cartersville is ranked as the No. 6 team in the classification with Cass ranked No. 9. Two other teams in Region 7-5A are also included in the opening Top Ten. Calhoun is ranked No. 4 and Hiram starts the season ranked No. 10. Ware County opens the season as the top team in Class 5A, followed by Creekside and Warner Robins. Cartersville opens the season Friday at home against Cherokee. Cass will play Class 6A’s No. 7 ranked team, the Rome Wolves, Friday night at Barron Stadium in Rome.

Cartersville High’s volleyball team opened the 2023 season Friday and Saturday at the Sandy Creek High School Invitational winning four of five matches. The Hurricanes had straight sets wins over Trinity Christian and Elite Scholars Academy Friday evening and beat Jonesboro and Kell in straight sets on Saturday before falling to host Sandy Creek in two sets. Cartersville (4-1) is scheduled to host Heritage-Catoosa and Allatoona Tuesday at the Storm Center.

Adairsville softball dropped a 17-10 decision Monday to visiting Cedartown. The two teams combined for 29 hits in the slugfest. Gabi Becerra had four hits to lead Adairsville including two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs. Madison Baker (three RBIs), Riley Mounger, Ashlyn Carlton, and Chelsea Bates (RBI) followed with two hits each. The non-region loss dropped the Lady Tigers to 1-3 on the season. Adairsville hosts Sonoraville Thursday at 5 p.m.

Charles Wilson / Bartow Sports Zone August 14, 2023 With just five weeks remaining in the 2023 MiLB regular season schedule, the two local prospects at the Double-A level look to finish the season strong. Anthony Seigler and the Somerset Patriots have already secured a playoff spot in the Eastern League while Mason Barnett and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals are in a battle with Springfield (Missouri) to win a spot in the Texas League post-season. The NFL preseason is now in full stride and three local athletes all saw action this past weekend with their respective teams. Cleveland tight end Miller Forristall had four receptions in a home loss to the Washington Commanders. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a touchdown pass in the Jags win at the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh defensive end Manny Jones was in action in the Steelers win at Tampa Bay. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Northwest Arkansas Naturals (KC Royals Double-A affiliate; 2nd-yr. pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made his first start for his new team last Tuesday night facing 20 batters in a 5-2 home loss to the Wichita Wind Surge. Barnett allowed two earned runs on four hits and struck out seven in five innings of work. The loss dropped his season mark to 4-7 in 17 starts. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 3.21 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 87 innings. The Naturals went 2-4 at home this past week against Wichita and currently trail Springfield by one game in the Texas League North Division second-half standings. Northwest Arkansas is 19-19 in the current half and 48-59 for the year. They play six games this Tuesday through Sunday at the Corpus Christi Hooks. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; 6th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … saw action in three games this past week and was 3-for-10 at the plate with a solo home run and three RBIs. The home run was his second of the season. Seigler has a .172 batting average in 163 official at-bats this season with 21 RBIs. The Patriots, who won the first half race in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division, were 3-3 at home last week against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. They currently lead the second-half race by two games over the Ponies and are 63-43 overall. Somerset has seven games Tuesday through Sunday at the Reading Fightin Phils. NFL MILLER FORRISTALL — Cleveland Browns (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; TE; Alabama; Cartersville HS) … the Browns announced the reacquisition of Forristall on August 4 for their 90-man roster. Over the course of his career, he has spent time on the Tennessee Titans (2021) and Cleveland Browns' practice squad (2021-22). He appeared in six games during his stints with the Browns (two in 2021 and four in 2022), recording one special teams stop. The 6-4, 250-pound 25-year-old is wearing no. 86. In last Friday’s preseason home loss to the Washington Commanders, Forristall was targeted four times and had four catches for 66 yards. His longest reception was 27 yards. The Browns play another preseason game this Thursday night at Philadelphia. MANNY JONES — Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL; 2nd-yr. pro; DE; Colorado State; Woodland HS) … saw action in the Steelers’ 27-17 win at Tampa Bay last Friday night but did not record a stat line. Pittsburgh hosts the Buffalo Bills Saturday night for their second preseason game. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; QB; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … started and played two series Sunday as Jacksonville won at Dallas 28-23. In his second drive, Lawrence led a 4-minute, 40-second scoring drive that covered 42 yards in six plays and culminated with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk. He then connected with Zay Jones for a two-point conversion pass giving the Jaguars an 8-0 lead. In all, the 23-year-old signal caller was 5-for-6 for 36 yards. Jacksonville visits the Detroit Lions Saturday afternoon for their next preseason game. PRO GOLF JASON BOHN — PGA Tour Champions (Acworth resident; Cartersville Country Club member) … playing in his tenth event since turning 50 years old, the Pennsylvania native carded rounds of 73-70-72 (1-under-par) and tied for 41st place this past weekend at the Boeing Classic played at the par-72, 7,217-yard Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie, Washington. The senior tour event was won by Stephen Ames with a 19-under-par total. Bohn is currently 77th in the season-long Schwab Cup ranking.

What was planned as a busy weekend tournament for both Woodland and Adairsville, the Dalton Invitational Tournament struggled with the rain disruption and severe weather Friday and Saturday. Both local teams only played one game each as a result. Woodland stayed unbeaten on the season Saturday with a victory over Dade County and Calhoun shut out Adairsville. WOODLAND 12, DADE COUNTY 4 The Wildcats surged for a dozen runs on eleven hits Saturday to beat Dade County at the Dalton Invitational, 12-4. Pitchers Peyton Dorn (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB) and Ashlynn Baines (3 IP, 4ER, 3H, 1BB, 1K) combined in the circle, limiting the Wolverines to four earned runs on four hits and two walks. All the Dade County runs came after Woodland had built an early 9-0 lead. Elizabeth Hartsfield had two hits including a three-run home run in the second inning to give the Lady Cats a 9-0 advantage. Jordan Hammonds (double, three RBIs) and Ashlynn Baines also finished with two hits. Kamryn Smith and Taylor Adcock both doubled while Bailey Ryan, Haley Collum, and Harley Hannah contributed one hit and one RBI apiece in the win. KK Castleberry hit a three-run homer for Dade in the fifth inning. Woodland (4-0) is scheduled for a busy week. The Lady Cats host Southeast Whitfield Monday at 5:30 p.m. They visit Calhoun Tuesday, and Pace Academy Wednesday, before entertaining Hiram on Thursday. CALHOUN 8, ADAIRSVILLE 0 The Yellow Jackets used a big fourth inning Saturday, aided by a pair of Adairsville miscues, to defeat the Lady Tigers 8-0 in five innings at the Dalton High Invitational. Calhoun was up 1-0 before adding seven more runs in the decisive frame. Meanwhile, Calhoun pitchers Athens Hudson and Avery Greeson combined for a no-hitter and three strikeouts. Adairsville utilized three hurlers — Chelsea Bates (3 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB, 2K), Jordan Clay (0.1 IP, 7R, 2ER, 3H, 1BB), and Ashlyn Carlton (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H) in the loss. Adairsville (1-3) has three home games scheduled for the upcoming week. The Lady Tigers host Cedartown Monday at 5 p.m., Armuchee Tuesday, and Sonoraville on Thursday.

Woodland volleyball earned a split of matches Thursday night at home defeating Southeast Whitfield 25-23, 18-25, 15-12 and losing to Chattooga 25-16, 17-25, 11-15. Kendall Condon had 33 assists on the night and added 14 digs and three aces. Anastyn Jones totaled 11 kills with six digs. Megan Schultz also had 11 kills with six digs and two aces. Kiera Pedigo contributed five kills, four blocks, and four aces. Lili Womack finished with 17 digs, four assists, and three aces. Woodland (1-3) travels to South Paulding on Tuesday.

The Adairsville volleyball team opened the season Thursday night at home with a split of two matches. Adairsville fell to Temple in three sets after winning the opening set 26-24. Temple won the second set 25-17 and the deciding set 15-6. Adairsville then defeated Christian Heritage in straight sets 25-23 and 25-13. In the three-set loss, Jayna Wilson had six kills and seven aces. Addie Pearson totaled eight assists with four aces. Jordyn Hartline had four kills and Sherry Wells contributed eight digs. In the win over Christian Heritage, Addie Pearson finished with ten assists. Makenzie Harris had a pair of kills and two blocks. Jordyn Hartline had two kills and Adysen Garvey added four service aces. Adairsville (1-1) hosts a tournament Saturday that will include Southeast Whitfield, Temple, Pickens, Sonoraville, Oakwood Christian Academy, Paulding County, and Christian Heritage.

Cass volleyball split matches Thursday night in Calhoun. The Colonels earned a 25-15, 25-19 win over host Gordon Central but lost to North Murray, 25-23, 25-17. Jada Zimmerman had 12 kills on the night for Cass. Carson Brannon totaled 19 assists and six aces. Caidence Woolridge finished with 12 digs and Harlee Davis added four service aces. Cass (1-3) visits Pepperell on Tuesday and will play the host Dragons and Heard County.

The Lady Tigers used a seven-run fourth inning to do most of their damage Thursday night at home in a 9-4 win over Cass. Adairsville grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning before Cass scored four times in the top of the third to go up 4-1. The Tigers then sent eleven batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth and scored seven times for an 8-4 advantage. The hosts added an insurance run in the fifth to close out the scoring. Chelsea Bates was the winning pitcher for Adairsville with a complete-game effort. Bates scattered eight hits and six walks while fanning eight. Bailey York (3.1 IP, 6ER, 7H, 1BB, 3K) made the pitching start for Cass and was tagged with the loss. Emma Gibson (0.2 IP, 2ER, 4H) and Lily Powell (2 IP, 1ER, 1H) also pitched for the Colonels. Ashlynn Durden (double, RBI), McKenzie Pullum (double, RBI), Bates (double), and Taylor Evans (triple) led the Tigers’ offense with two hits each. Alissa Winters, Ashlyn Carlton (double, RBI), Riley Mounger (double, two RBIs), and Gabi Becerra (home run, three RBIs) added one hit apiece. Harlee Thomason (double, RBI) and Braelyn Franklin had two hits each for Cass. York, Darianna Sosa, Reese Howard (RBI), and Payton Mize finished with one hit each. KK Evans added one RBI for the Lady Colonels. Cass (1-5) starts play in Region 7-5A Tuesday at Dalton. Adairsville (1-2) plays Calhoun (10 a.m.) and Woodland (2 p.m.) Saturday in the Dalton High School Tournament.

Woodland softball routed Southeast Whitfield Wednesday evening in Dalton, 13-0 in four innings. The Lady Cats posted seven runs in the second inning, five more in the third, and an additional run in the top of the fourth inning. Pitcher Haley Collum tossed a one-hitter in the victory. She walked one and struck out three. Kamryn Smith (two RBIs), Ashlyn Baines (double, RBI), and Collum (double, RBI) led the Wildcats’ offense with two hits each. Mackenzie Araya (two RBIs), Jordan Hammonds (RBI), Alana Carnes (triple), and Bailey Ryan added one hit apiece. Southeast Whitfield slipped to 1-1 with the loss. Woodland (3-0) plays in the Dalton Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday. The Lady Cats will face Chattooga Friday at 4 p.m., Coahulla Creek Saturday at noon, and Adairsville Saturday at 2 p.m. CASS 4, GILMER 3 The Cass softball team bounced back from four straight losses to start the 2023 season with a come-from-behind, walk-off win Wednesday night at home over the Gilmer Bobcats 4-3. The Lady Colonels trailed 3-0 heading to the home half of the sixth inning when they got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs. Darianna Sosa singled and eventually scored on a passed ball before Payton Mize singled home Harlee Thomason with two outs to make the score 3-2. In the bottom of the seventh, Braelyn Franklin reached on an error and scored when Bailey York smacked a double into left field to knot the score at 3-all. One out later, KK Evans reached on an outfield error by Gilmer and York scored the game-winning run. Lily Powell earned the pitching win for the Colonels with a seven-inning, complete game in the circle. She scattered four hits and one walk while striking out four. One of the Bobcats’ three runs was unearned. Six Cass starters had one hit apiece. York (double, RBI), Sosa, Franklin (double), Mize (RBI), Harlee Thomason, and Cayce Brown contributed one hit each. The loss dropped the Bobcats to 0-4 on the season. Cass (1-4) is scheduled to play at Adairsville Thursday at 5 p.m.

Cass volleyball dropped a pair of matches Tuesday night at Temple High School falling to Cedartown and the host Temple Tigers in straight sets. Cedartown topped Cass 25-16 and 25-20. Temple defeated the Lady Colonels 25-9 and 26-24. Andrea Vergara had 11 digs in the Cass losses. Jada Zimmerman finished with six kills. Cass (0-2) plays again on Thursday against North Murray and Gordon Central at Gordon Central High School.