Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com 5/22/23 Updates on professional and collegiate athletes from Bartow County for the week ending May 21, 2023. MiLB ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; 6th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … appeared in four games this past week going 1-for-12 at the plate with five walks and three runs scored. The catcher/DH also stole one base. Somerset (23-15) split six games during the week with the Reading Fightin Phils and is in second place in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division. The Patriots trail Portland by 2-½ games. Somerset has a six-game series at the Erie Sea Wolves this Tuesday through Sunday. PRO SOCCER RUSSELL SHEALY — Crown Legacy FC (MLS Next Pro League; MLS Charlotte affiliate; Syracuse; Cartersville resident; Darlington HS) … one of four goalkeepers to have seen action this season for Crown Legacy, Shealy has yielded four goals with three saves in three games started at the beginning of the season. The 22-year-old started in a 2-2 draw with Huntsville on March 26, a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2 on March 31, and a 3-1 win on April 9 over New York Red Bulls II. Crown Legacy FC (7-1-1) currently leads the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference by five points over Columbus Crew 2. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 68-74-69 — 211 (2-under-par) as the Bulldogs won the NCAA Bath, Michigan Regional by eight shots over Illinois last Monday through Wednesday. Brumlow finished 18th in a field of 77 players with teammate Ben Van Wyk winning the individual title at 10-under par. Fellow teammates Caleb Manuel (7-under), Maxwell Ford (4-under), and Connor Creasy (1-under) all placed in the top 20. The UGA regional championship was their first since 2019. The 13-team regional was conducted at the par-71, 7,090-yard Eagle Eye Golf Club with Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Florida, and Texas advancing to the NCAA Championships May 26-31 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. SOFTBALL ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … seeing action in three of the Eagles’ four NAIA Opening Round tournament games in Ashland, Oregon, Evans was 1-for-6 with two walks at the plate. Reinhardt beat Southeastern University (Florida) and the University of Vanguard (California) before being eliminated with back-to-back losses to opening-round host Southern Oregon University. In 39 games this season, Evans hit for a .352 average including one home run and 16 RBIs. The Eagles finished the year with a 37-13 record. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … in four games at the Ashland, Oregon NAIA Opening Round tournament, Lee was 2-for-10 at the plate and scored two runs. Reinhardt beat Southeastern University (Florida) and the University of Vanguard (California) before being eliminated with back-to-back losses to opening-round host Southern Oregon University. In 43 games this season, Lee batted .327 with 10 RBIs and stole 15 bases. The Eagles finished the year with a 37-13 record. BASEBALL LOGAN MARTIN — University of Kentucky (Sr., Cartersville HS) … tossed an inning of scoreless relief Saturday in an eighth-inning appearance at home against 3rd-ranked Florida. He received no decision in an eventual 5-2 loss to the Gators. The pitching appearance was the first for the senior since April 22 against Texas A&M. Martin (1-1) has appeared in eight games (seven starts) with a 4.24 ERA in 23-⅓ innings. The 19th-ranked Wildcats open the SEC Championship Tournament in Hoover, Alabama Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. EDT against Alabama in an elimination game. The winner advances to the double-elimination portion of the bracket to play top-seeded Florida. The SEC tournament continues through Sunday. GUNNER MILLSAP — Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Fr., Cartersville HS) … walked three of six batters faced but struck out a pair and worked a scoreless eighth inning Friday as the Cougars lost 18-13 at Lindenwood University (Missouri). He then worked another scoreless eighth inning Saturday allowing one walk and no hits in an 11-5 loss. SIU-E (26-27, 9-15) opens the Ohio Valley Conference tournament Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. EDT in an elimination game against Tennessee Tech. The winner moves into the double-elimination portion of the OVC Tournament in Marion, Illinois which continues through Saturday. DEVIN WARNER — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … only had one unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance last week as the Grizzlies earned a trip to the NAIA World Series by going 3-1 in Lawrenceville to win their Opening Round bracket. GGC had a win over Midway (Kentucky) and then won two of three matchups with Freed-Hardeman (Tennessee) to win the tournament. The No. 2 Grizzlies (50-6) received a first-round bye in the 10-team NAIA World Series and will play the Taylor (Indiana)/MidAmerica Nazarene (Kansas) winner on Saturday. The double-elimination tournament continues through Friday, June 2 in Lewiston, Idaho. PRESTON WELCHEL — Tennessee Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … appeared in two games and had eight RBIs in a 30-18 win over Cumberland (Tennessee) last week at the NAIA Opening Round Bracket in Upland, Indiana. The Bulldogs finished 1-2 in the tournament with both losses to eventual runner-up, Point Park University (Pennsylvania). In two games, Welchel was 5-for-8 at the plate including a pair of doubles, one homer, two walks, six runs scored, and eight RBIs. For the season, the outfielder hit for a .281 average including six home runs and 30 RBIs appearing in 42 games. TWU finished the year with a 43-11 record. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter in all four games as the Grizzlies won the NAIA Lawrenceville Opening Round Bracket last week, the catcher was 3-for-14 at the plate including a double, two sac bunts, one sacrifice fly, and four RBIs. Georgia Gwinnett had a win over Midway (Kentucky) and then won two of three matchups with Freed-Hardeman (Tennessee) to win the tournament. The No. 2 Grizzlies (50-6) received a first-round bye in the 10-team NAIA World Series and will play the Taylor (Indiana)/MidAmerica Nazarene (Kansas) winner on Saturday. The double-elimination tournament continues through Friday, June 2 in Lewiston, Idaho. DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham-Southern College (So., Cartersville HS) … collected his fourth pitching victory of the year Saturday as the host Panthers beat Lewis & Clark College (Oregon) in an elimination game at the NCAA D-III Regionals. Williams entered with one out in the fifth inning and completed the game without allowing a run. The right-hander scattered three hits and a pair of hit batsmen while striking out six of twenty batters faced in a 15-8 win. BSC was eliminated by Universite of La Verne (California) Sunday in a game Williams worked two innings of relief. He yielded a pair of earned runs on four hits and one walk facing 13 batters in the second and third frames of an eventual 15-10 loss. Williams pitched 51 innings this season appearing in 16 games (four starts). He had a 4.06 ERA with 43 strikeouts. Birmingham-Southern’s season ends with a 39-11 record.

Charles Wilson / Bartow Sports Zone This week’s edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow includes updates on three local professional athletes and a dozen local collegiate athletes in track and field, golf, softball, and baseball. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-A affiliate; 2nd yr. pro; Auburn University; Cartersville HS) … suffered a pitching loss Saturday as the River Bandits fell 4-2 at home to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Barnett went 3-⅓ innings in his start and allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out five. Quad Cities (12-21) went 2-5 last week against Cedar Rapids. This week the River Bandits play a six-game series at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; 6th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … saw action at catcher and as DH in four games last week as the Patriots split six games at the Portland Sea Dogs. The 23-year-old was 2-for-11 at the plate including six walks, two runs scored, one RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. Somerset (20-12) has a six-game home series Tuesday through Saturday against the Reading Fightin Phils. PRO BASKETBALL A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (National Basketball League of Canada; 6th yr. pro; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … averaged 26 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals in three playoff games last week but The Five lost Games 3 and 5 of their best-of-five NBL-C semifinal series and were eliminated. Mosby, 27, averaged more than 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game in the 2022-23 season. TRACK AND FIELD STEPHEN SMITH — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … the Owls’ pole vaulter placed second at the eight-team Atlantic Sun Conference Championship in Jacksonville, Florida May 11-13 behind teammate Simon Seid. Smith cleared 4.73m (15 feet, 6-¼ inches). Kennesaw State finished second as a team behind Liberty University. ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … placed third in the 400 meter hurdles (54.59) and was part of a pair of scoring relay teams as the Bruins finished seventh at the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference Championship in Normal, Illinois this past weekend. Toviave was on Belmont’s fifth place 4x100 meter relay team (42.18) and sixth place 4x400 meter relay team (3;22.68). GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … fired an opening round 68 (3-under-par) Monday as the Bulldogs took an early lead at the NCAA Bath, Michigan Regional. Georgia’s first round team score of 18-under-par leads Michigan State and Illinois by six shots with two more rounds remaining in the 54-hole regional. The top five of thirteen teams at the regional will advance to the NCAA Championship May 26-31 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Bath Regional is being conducted through Wednesday at the 7,090-yard, par-71 Eagle Eye Golf Club. SOFTBALL SKYLAR CHAPPELL — Cottey College (Sr., Woodland HS) … Chappell and the Comets (34-19) had their NAIA Opening Round tournament game with the University of Mobile (Alabama) postponed on Monday. The double-elimination bracket will begin Tuesday in Chickasha, Oklahoma. ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … in Monday’s first game at the NAIA Opening Round tournament in Ashland, Oregon, Evans was 1-for-3 at the plate in an Eagles’ 6-4 win over Southeastern University (Florida). Reinhardt (36-11) plays Tuesday against the University of Vanguard (California) . A win Tuesday sends the Eagles to the four-team Opening Round bracket finals on Wednesday. A loss means an elimination game Tuesday evening. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … in Monday’s first game at the NAIA Opening Round tournament in Ashland, Oregon, Lee was 0-for-3 at the plate but scored a run in a 6-4 win over Southeastern University (Florida). Reinhardt (36-11) plays Tuesday against the University of Vanguard (California). A win Tuesday sends the Eagles to the four-team Opening Round bracket finals on Wednesday. A loss means an elimination game Tuesday evening. BASEBALL CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … finished his freshman season with a .400 batting average utilized as a catcher, DH, and left fielder. In 36 games (32 starts), Bonner had 52 hits including six doubles, two triples, and three home runs with 33 RBIs. Defensively, he finished with a .984 fielding percentage in 123 total chances. The Panthers, who were upset at their conference tournament, finished the year with a 27-15 record and did not receive an at-large bid Monday for the NCAA D-III national tournament. KENNY JINKS — Wheeling University (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a pair of relief appearances last week at the Mountain East Conference tournament in Charleston, West Virginia. The southpaw did not receive a pitching decision in either appearance — both Cardinals’ losses. In the two outings, Jinks worked 4-⅔ innings allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks. He hit one batter and struck out five. Wheeling has a win over West Liberty in the tournament and losses to Concord University and University of Charleston (West Virginia). The Cardinals finished the season with a 29-22 record. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … in five GCAA conference tournament games last week, Rothschild was 10-for-20 at the plate with a pair of doubles. He walked five times, scored eight runs, and drove in eight. ABAC (31-30) reached the conference tournament finals but lost to Andrew College. Rothschild completed his freshman season with a .351 batting average. He hit three homers and drove in 46 runs in 154 at-bats across 48 games played. STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Sr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-7 at the plate with one walk, one run scored, and one stolen base as the Mountain Lions lost two straight in the Peach Belt Conference best-of-three championship series at Georgia Southwestern State. The Hurricanes won 5-4 and 9-2 Saturday to secure the conference’s automatic bid in the NCAA D2 tournament. Young Harris (38-17) did not receive an at-large bid Sunday night so their season comes to an end. Spell, a Peach Belt Conference All-Conference third baseman, completed his senior season with a .315 batting average, four homers, and 36 RBIs in 55 starts at third base. In three active seasons with the Mountain Lions, he hit .315 with eight home runs, 70 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of .442. He also had a .911 fielding percentage on defense in 258 total chances. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in the host Grizzlies first game of an NAIA Opening Round double-elimination bracket in Lawrenceville, Wilbanks was 2-for-4 at the plate including a double. He was also hit by a pitch and scored one run as Georgia Gwinnett blew out Midway University (Kentucky) 18-1. The Grizzlies face Freed-Hardeman (Tennessee) Tuesday afternoon in the second round. The tournament continues through Thursday. DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham-Southern College (So., Cartersville HS) … the Panthers learned Monday afternoon that they will be the No. 1 seed and host the four-team Birmingham Regional Friday through Sunday. BSC plays Lewis & Clark College (Oregon) Friday in the first round. The other two teams in the bracket are the University of La Verne (California) and Franklin College (Kentucky).

Each of the four local high school track and field teams had athletes participating this past Thursday through Saturday at their respective GHSA State Championship Meets. Adairsville was in action at the Class AAA Meet at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany while Cartersville, Cass, and Woodland were participating in the Class AAAAA Meet at Kinnett Stadium in Columbus. State Meet Results for locals: ADAIRSVILLE 4th — Aliya McBryde — High Jump — 5-2 5th — Tre Winters — High Jump — 6-2 9th — Aliya McBryde — 100M Hurdles — 16.40 12th — Tre Winters — Long Jump — 20-5-½ 13th — David Betanzos — 3200M Run — 11:06.28 14th — Callie Viktora — 1600M Run — 5:52.17 16th — Charles Coleman — High Jump — 5-8 CARTERSVILLE 3rd — Kendrick Price — 100M Dash — 10.68 5th — Cartersville Girls 4x800M Relay — 10:03.50 (Vivi Vest, Elizabeth Nelson, Leyla Booth, Anna Grace Boone) 7th — Cam’ren Collum — High Jump — 6-4 11th — Malachi Vosburgh — 1600M Run — 4:34.17 12th — Jaylen Scott — Discus — 133-1 CASS 6th — Kaitlyn Godwin — 200M Dash — 25.13 7th — Kaitlyn Godwin — 100M Dash — 12.24 8th — Kaitlyn Godwin — 400M Dash — 59.03 10th — Kiana McDaniel — Shot Put — 34-2 WOODLAND 8th — Danielle Thayer — 1600M Run — 5:20.58 8th — Danielle Thayer — 3200M Run — 11:41.84 8th — Woodland Girls 4x800M Relay — 10:12.15 (Emma Segars, Olivia Berry, Miranda Pelow, Danielle Thayer) 10th — Kiconco Bassler — 300M Hurdles — 46.62 11th —Woodland Boys 4x800M Relay — 8:12.35 (Kameron Chappell, Andy Forsyth, Tyler Jones, Drew Thayer) 11th — Boys 4x800M Relay — 8:12.35 11th — Christiaan Vera — High Jump — 6-0 11th — Jamarion Walker — Long Jump — 20-10 12th — Jamarion Walker — 400M Dash — 50.12 12th — Zachary Wiggins — 300M Hurdles — 40.02

The Georgia Highlands College softball team had their 2023 campaign come to a close Thursday with a pair of narrow losses at the double-elimination GCAA conference tournament held at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, Georgia. The Chargers lost to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 11-10 in the opening round and then fell to Georgia Military College 8-7 in an elimination game. ABAC posted seven runs over the final three frames for a come-from-behind win over the Chargers. Later, GMC held off the Chargers late to eliminate Georgia Highlands. Georgia Highlands finished the season with a 20-30 record.

The Cartersville High School girls’ and boys’ golf teams have qualified for the GHSA Class 5A State Championship Tournament following an area tournament win by the girls and a runner-up finish by the boys at Fields Ferry Golf Course in Calhoun. Bartow County resident, Christian Surcey of North Cobb Christian High School, has also qualified for the Class AA State Championship Tournament. The Cartersville girls carded a team total of 296 to win Area 3-AAAAA by 15 shots over Chamblee High School. Both teams will advance to the Class 5A State Tournament at Fields Ferry Golf Course on May 22 and 23. The Cartersville boys’ team finished eight shots behind Area 3-AAAAA winner Calhoun for a runner-up finish. Calhoun shot 302 to win the five-team area tournament with Cartersville firing a 310 team total. Both teams advance to the Class 5A State Tournament May 22-23 at Cartersville Country Club. The Class AA girls' State Championship for Surcey will be May 22-23 at Okefenokee Country Club in Blackshear. She shot 77 at the Area 4-AA Tournament to qualify as an individual. Individual scores for the Lady Canes in their Area Tournament win included an 87 by Brooklyn Heath and a 91 by Sophie Kim. Lily Cagle finished with 118 and Maddy Morris with 123. The Cartersville boys were led in the Area Tournament by Brody Tidwell’s 76. Anderson McCary, Noah Pogue, and Owen Dunn each shot 78. Andrew Lutjens carded an 80 and Reid Lowry shot 81.

More than two dozen local track and field athletes will compete in the 2023 GHSA State Track and Field Championships this weekend following successful efforts at State Sectional Qualifying meets last weekend. The qualifying competitors from Adairsville earned their spots last Saturday in Columbus and will advance to the Class AAA Championship Thursday through Saturday at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany. The qualifying competitors from Cartersville, Cass, and Woodland qualified at Jefferson High School last weekend and will head to Kinnett Stadium in Columbus this Thursday through Saturday for the Class AAAAA Championship. ______ Adairsville Class AAA State Championship Meet Qualifiers Aliya McBryde — 100M Hurdles — 2nd — 16.12 Tre Winters — High Jump — 3rd — 6-4 Callie Viktora — 1600M Run — 4th — 5:50.79 David Betanzos — 3200M Run — 4th — 10:46.89 Tre Winters — Long Jump — 4th — 20-4.25 Aliya McBryde — High Jump — 8th — 5-2 Charles Coleman — High Jump — 8th — 6-0 ______ Cartersville Class 5A State Championship Meet Qualifiers Girls 4x800M Relay Team — 2nd — 10:06.88 (Vivi Vest, Elizabeth Nelson, Leyla Booth, Anna Grace Boone) Kendrick Price — 100M Dash — 5th — 10.88 Malachi Vosburgh — 1600M Run — 5th — 4:26.34 Jaylen Scott — Discus Throw — 6th — 136-7 Cam’ren Collum — High Jump — 7th — 6-0 Cass Class 5A State Championship Meet Qualifiers Kaitlyn Godwin — 200M Dash — 4th — 25.12 Kaitlyn Godwin — 400M Dash — 6th — 58.06 Kiana McDaniel — Shot Put — 7th — 32-11.25 Kaitlyn Godwin — 100M Dash — 8th — 12.43 Woodland Class 5A State Championship Meet Qualifiers Danielle Thayer — 3200M Run — 2nd — 11:42.62 Boys 4x800M Relay Team — 2nd — 8:12.24 (Kameron Chappell, Andy Forsyth, Tyler Jones, Drew Thayer) Girls 4x800M Relay Team — 3rd — 10:13.37 (Emma Segars, Olivia Berry, Miranda Pelow, Danielle Thayer) Jamarion Walker — 400M Dash — 3rd — 49.77 Christiaan Vera — High Jump — 3rd — 6-0 Kiconco Bassler — 300M Hurdles — 5th — 46.80 Zachary Wiggins — 300M Hurdles — 6th — 40.11 Danielle Thayer — 1600M Run — 7th — 5:27.34 Jamarion Walker — Long Jump — 7th — 21-7

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Highlights from this week's action: Former Cartersville Purple Hurricanes standout A.J. Mosby continues to compete with the Sudbury Five in the National Basketball League of Canada playoffs and former Cass baseball standout Steven Spell, a senior at Young Harris College, was named All-Peach Belt Conference First Team. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-A affiliate; 2nd yr. pro; Auburn University; Cartersville HS) … in a no-decision start this past Saturday at the Great Lakes Loons, Barnett allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks. He struck out seven in five innings on the mound. The Bandits ultimately lost the game 7-6 in ten innings despite having a 6-4 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh. Quad Cities (10-16) is in fifth place in the Midwest League West Division and has a six-game home series Tuesday through Sunday with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; 6th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … saw action in four home games last week against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies going 2-for-12 with three walks, one run scored, and had a two-out RBI. The Patriots won five of six during the week. Somerset (17-9) is in second place in the Northeast Division of the Eastern League. They have a six-game series Tuesday through Sunday at the division-leading Portland Sea Dogs. PRO BASKETBALL A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (National Basketball League of Canada; 6th yr. pro; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … the Five lost their final regular season game last Tuesday to the London Lightning 106-101 and began the NBLC playoffs as the No. 2-seed against 3rd-seeded Windsor Express. The Five and Express split the first two games of their best-of-five series this past Friday and Saturday at Sudbury. The Five won Game 1 108-99 and the Express won Game 2 103-100. Mosby scored 31 points with six boards, five assists, and five steals in the regular season finale. He then poured in 23 points with three rebounds and four assists in the playoff victory. In Saturday’s loss, he was limited to five points, one rebound, four assists, and one steal. Games 3 and 4 of the playoff semifinal are Wednesday and Friday at Windsor. If a Game 5 is needed, it is slated for Sunday afternoon hosted by The Five. SOFTBALL LAINEY BAKER — Samford University (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a pitching start Sunday and went 2-⅔ innings but did not receive a decision in a game the Bulldogs won 5-3 at Chattanooga. Baker gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks. Samford (23-29, 12-6 Southern Conference) is seeded No. 2 in the SoCon Championship tournament and opens the double-elimination tournament in Chattanooga Wednesday against East Tennessee State. BASEBALL CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … although the Panthers hosted and entered the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament as the No. 1 seed, they lost their first two games in the double-elimination tournament — falling to Maryville College (Tennessee) 7-3 and Covenant College 2-0. Bonner made one start in left field and another as a designated hitter but was 0-for-8 at the plate. The Panthers ranked 23rd nationally, await an announcement from the NCAA regarding their post-season assignment. KENNY JINKS — Wheeling University (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a four-inning relief appearance and collected his eighth win of the season last Friday in a 3-2 victory at West Liberty University. Jinks did not allow a run, hit, or walk in his appearance and fanned four of the thirteen batters faced. The Cardinals (28-20, 17-13) will be a No. 2-seed in the six-team Mountain East Conference tournament that begins Wednesday at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston, West Virginia. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … faced three batters in a third-inning relief appearance Sunday allowing one hit and one walk as the Flames lost 13-9 to Valdosta State at the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Oxford, Alabama. Lee (28-25) finished 2-2 at the GSC tournament. McKibben made 15 appearances this season for the Flames with a 4.13 ERA in just over 28 innings. SAM MELTON — Rockingham CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a pinch-hitting appearance and drew a walk in a 13-3 home win last Thursday over Virginia Peninsula CC. Rockingham finished the regular season with a 12-31 record. Melton appeared in 18 games hitting .216 in 52 plate appearances with 11 walks and eight RBIs. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-6 with one walk and one RBI last week as the Stallions lost at East Georgia and won at Gordon State. ABAC (28-28, 14-11) is the No. 2 seed in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament Monday through Thursday at LakePoint in Emerson. The Stallions’ first game in the double-elimination tournament is Tuesday against the Georgia Highlands/Andrew College winner. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (So., Woodland HS) … started on the mound, scattered five hits, and did not allow a run in 7-⅓ innings as the Scots knocked off top-seeded LaGrange College Friday at the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament. Smith was credited with his third win of the season in a 2-0 shutout. Covenant also had tournament losses to Belhaven (Mississippi) and Huntingdon College ending their season with a 16-18 mark. Smith completed the year with a .286 batting average and three RBIs in 14 official at-bats. On the mound, he was 3-4 in 11 appearances. He had a 5.75 ERA in 56-⅓ innings with a 31:15 K/BB ratio. STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Sr., Cass HS) … earned postseason honors from the Peach Belt Conference this past week when the Mountain Lions’ third baseman was named All PBC First Team. Meanwhile, Young Harris (38-15) went 4-1 hosting a double-elimination portion of the Peach Belt Conference tournament and advanced to this weekend’s best-of-three championship series against Georgia Southwestern State in Americus. Spell was 4-for-20 in those tournament games with two doubles, three runs scored, and three RBIs. He was also hit by a pitch twice. DEVIN WARNER — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a win over Iowa Wesleyan and two over Fisher College (Massachusetts) to win the Continental Athletic Conference Championship tournament, Warner was 6-for-9 at the plate with a walk, three doubles, four runs scored, and eight RBIs. The Grizzlies (47-5) will host an NAIA National Tournament Opening Round double-elimination tournament May 15-18 in Lawrenceville. PRESTON WELCHEL — Tennessee Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 0-for-4 with a walk in one start and a pair of pinch-hitting appearances last week while the Bulldogs finished 2-2 at the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament. Both losses were to eventual tournament champion Union College (Kentucky). NAIA 3rd-ranked TWU (42-9) awaits the national opening round tournament site and pairings announcements. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a win over Iowa Wesleyan and two over Fisher College (Massachusetts) to win the Continental Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, Wilbanks was 3-for-8 with a double, hit-by-pitch, sac fly, and six RBIs. The Grizzlies (47-5) will host an NAIA National Tournament Opening Round double-elimination tournament May 15-18 in Lawrenceville. DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham-Southern College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a pair of relief appearances and was credited with one win in Southern Athletic Association tournament games. Both games were victories over Berry College. In a one-inning appearance Friday, the right-handed pitcher faced the minimum and struck out one in a 5-4 win. On Saturday, Williams entered in the sixth inning and worked 2-⅓ innings without receiving a decision. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits and one walk. The Panthers ultimately won the title-clinching game 9-6. BSC (36-9) awaits their NCAA D-III National Championship Tournament assignment. JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-12 with one walk and two runs scored as the Jaguars went 1-2 at the Peach Belt Conference double-elimination tournament in Americus. Augusta finished the season with a 26-24 record. Wilkie, who began his collegiate career at Lipscomb University, hit .292 in 49 starts and 192 official at-bats this season. He had three home runs and 33 RBIs. He also hit .317 with one homer and 23 RBIs in his junior season with the Jaguars. TRACK AND FIELD BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (So., Cartersville HS) … placed 12th in the 3000-meter steeplechase and 18th in the 1500-meter run at the Gulf South Conference Championship May 4-6. Archer completed the steeple in 9:58.36 and the 1500m in 4:03.49. The Falcons finished fourth as a team behind Lee University, Mississippi College, and Alabama-Huntsville at the seven-team title meet. Next on the schedule for Montevallo is the Lee University Last Chance Meet on Saturday. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … the Bulldogs found out last Wednesday they were selected to participate in the regional rounds of the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships. Georgia was assigned as the No. 6-seed at the 13-team Bath, Michigan Regional to be held at Eagle Eye Golf Club. Illinois, Florida, defending national champ Texas, Oregon, and Kansas State are the top five seeds. The top five finishing teams at the 54-hole regional May 15-17 will advance to the national finals May 26-31 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The hosting Greenbrier Wolfpack took a 3-0 lead in the second inning Monday evening and held off the Purple Hurricanes for a 5-3 win that clinched the Class 5A best-of-three state quarterfinal series, two games to one. The two teams split their opening doubleheader in Evans on Saturday. Cartersville won the first game 4-3 and Greenbrier won the second game 6-4. The Canes scored a single run in the third inning and two more in the fourth Monday to narrow their deficit to 4-3, but got no closer. Greenbrier tacked on an insurance run in the sixth inning. Pitchers Griffin Stewart (3.1 IP, 3ER, 4H, 2BB, 2K) and Logan Brogdon (3.2 IP, 0R, 4H, 0BB, 6K) combined on the mound for the Wolfpack limiting the Hurricanes to three runs on eight hits. The two hurlers combined for eight strikeouts. Phillip Schiltz (4 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 1BB, 4K) made the pitching start for Cartersville and was tagged with the loss. Ryan Johnson (3 IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 2K) retired the final nine outs in relief. Jamie Daly (solo HR, triple) and Brogdon had three hits each for the Wolfpack. Kyle Puffer (double, two RBIs), Bryson Bell, and Hunter Knutson (double, RBI) added one hit each. Harrison Childers led the Canes with a pair of hits. Landon Cole (double, two RBIs), Luke Miller (RBI), Miles Owen, Caleb Daniel, Isaac McNair-Seigler, and Paul Gamble added one hit apiece. Greenbrier advances to the Class 5A state semifinals and will play at the Loganville/Locust Grove winner beginning this Saturday. Cartersville finishes the year with a 32-4 record and a Region 7-5A championship.

Georgia Highlands lost its opening game of the GCAA tournament Monday at LakePoint, falling to Andrew College 6-3. The first round of the tournament was single-elimination, thus ending the Chargers' season. The Tigers and Chargers traded the lead early and were tied 2-2 through the opening five innings. Andrew took the lead with a solo home run in the top of the sixth and added on three more runs in the eighth for a 6-2 cushion. GHC’s Mitchell Walker hit a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the ninth but the Chargers got no closer. Trey Baker (6 IP, 3ER, 7H, 3BB, 6K) made the start on the hill for Georgia Highlands and was saddled with the pitching loss. Trip DoVale (1.2 IP, 3ER, 3H, 2BB) and Skyler Thellman (1.1 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 2K) pitched in relief. Dekel Williams (two doubles, four RBIs) and Maddox Mueller (solo HR) led the Andrew offense with three hits each. Hudson Sapp, Austin Slate (RBI), and Walker (solo HR) had two hits each for the Chargers. Adam Love, Ryan Wideman, Jay Murdock, Connor Faulkner (RBI), and Parker Poteet added one hit apiece. The Tigers (29-21) advance to the second round Tuesday to play No. 2-seed Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Georgia Highlands completes the season with a 33-21 mark. The GCAA tournament continues at LakePoint through Thursday.

Cartersville baseball split its doubleheader Saturday in Evans with Greenbrier sending the best-of-three Class 5A state quarterfinal series to a deciding game on Monday. The Purple Hurricanes won the opening game Saturday 4-3 but it was the host Wolfpack who won the second game, 6-4. The rubber game of the series will take place Monday at 5 p.m. back in Evans. The loss for Cartersville was the Canes' first loss to a team from Georgia this season. Their two previous losses were to teams from Mississippi (DeSoto Central) and Louisiana (Baton Rouge Catholic) in the Perfect Game High School Showdown in early March. The loss also snapped a 26-game winning streak that was the longest in school history. Miles Owen, who finished with two hits, drove in a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning with a single to secure a come-from-behind effort in the Canes’ win. Greenbrier scored twice in the second inning for an early 2-0 lead and added a run in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Cartersville scored twice in the top of the third to tie the score at 2-all at the time. The Hurricanes outhit the Wolfpack in Game 1, seven to four. Phillip Schiltz (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 2K) picked up the pitching victory for Cartersville by recording the final six outs. Caden Carroll (4 IP, 3ER, 4H, 4BB, 4K) started the opener and Geoffrey Gore (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 3BB, 1K) worked an inning of middle relief. Mark Abell (7 IP, 4R, 0ER, 7H, 2BB, 6K) suffered the pitching loss for the Wolfpack even though all runs against him were unearned. Kyle Puffer had two hits and a pair of RBIs for Greenbrier. Caleb Daniel contributed a pair of hits and one RBI for Cartersville. Cameron Cochran (double), Paul Gamble, and Harrison Childers had the other Canes’ base hits. In Game 2, the lead changed hands four times with the Wolfpack coming out on top with two go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh inning. Greenbrier led 1-0 in the top of the second and 3-2 with a run in the fifth. Cartersville led 2-1 through three innings and scored twice in the bottom of the sixth on a Childers’ home run to knot the score at 4-4. Griffin Stewart (1.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 2K) picked up the pitching win for Greenbrier in relief of starter Brody Cleveland (5.1 IP, 4R, 2ER, 5H, 1BB, 1K). Gore (1.2 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 1K) was tagged with the pitching loss for Cartersville. Ryan Johnson (4 IP, 2ER, 8H, 1BB, 7K) made the start on the mound and Nicholas Hruby (1.1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 0BB) pitched in middle relief for the Hurricanes. Jamie Daly had three hits and two RBIs to pace the Greenbrier offense. Five other members of the Wolfpack — Hunter Knutson (RBI), Gage Kirkland, Taylor Maciaszek (double), Gauge Toole, and Puffer (two RBIs) — contributed two hits each. Like Childers, Isaac McNair-Seigler had two hits in the second game for Cartersville. Kaden Stephenson had the other Canes’ base hit. Cartersville (31-3) returns to Greenbrier (29-6) Monday for the deciding game in the state quarterfinal series. The winner will play the Loganville/Locust Grove winner in the state semifinals May 13-15. That series also plays a rubber game Monday at 6 p.m. at Locust Grove. Loganville won 5-0 Saturday to extend the series after Locust Grove won Game 1, 6-3.

The Georgia Highlands softball team earned a road doubleheader split with conference-leading Georgia Military College Saturday dropping the opener 11-3 before taking the second game, 3-1. The host Bulldogs will be the No. 1-seed in next week’s Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Championship tournament at Strong Rock Christian School and the Chargers will be the tournament’s No. 3-seed. In the first game Saturday, Georgia Highlands fell behind in the early innings and could not recover. The hosting Bulldogs posted six runs in the first two frames to build an early 6-2 advantage then added on late in an 11-3 win. Audrey Johnson hit a solo home run for the Chargers in the third inning to narrow the margin to 6-3, but it was all Georgia Military after that. Avery Mercer had a four-hit game for the Bulldogs and drove in three of their runs. Johnson finished with two hits including her homer and drove in two runs. Madison Dennis also had two hits for Georgia Highlands. Malone Aldridge, Abigail Lathrop, Brady Tharp, Allison Deweee (RBI), Jordan Blair, and Avery Fisher contributed one hit apiece for the Chargers. Jaycie Hand (2 IP, 6R, 4ER, 8H, 0BB) and Emma Veitch (3.2 IP, 5R, 3ER, 9H, 0BB, 3K) handled the first game pitching duties for GHC. Avien Trull (6 IP, 3ER, 10H, 2BB) tossed a six-inning complete game for the Bulldogs. In the second game of the day, the Chargers bounced back to knock off GMC behind a strong pitching performance by Rena Fraga. The southpaw and East Paulding High School product tossed a seven-inning complete game and allowed just a single, unearned run while scattering nine hits and one walk. Meanwhile, the GHC offense was powered by Dennis who doubled home a run in the third inning for a 1-0 lead, then smacked a two-run home run in the fifth inning for all the scoring Fraga and the Chargers’ defense would need. Deweese had two hits in the GHC victory. Aldridge, Lathrop, and Taylor Justice had the other Chargers’ hits in the game. Georgia Military finishes up the regular season 34-16 overall and 20-4 in the GCAA. Georgia Highlands will head to the conference tournament with a 20-28 season record after finishing 14-10 in conference action. The GCAA tournament is slated for May 10-11 at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove.

The Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association baseball tournament begins Monday at LakePoint in Emerson where the Georgia Highlands Chargers will be the No. 3-seed after splitting their final two regular season games earlier this week. This past Tuesday afternoon, the Chargers knocked off top-seed South Georgia State 6-5 before falling to bottom-seed Andrew College Thursday evening, 22-12. In the win over South Georgia, pitcher Oliver Wood (7 IP, 5R, 4ER, 9H, 0BB, 4K) tossed seven solid innings to keep the Chargers close with the visiting Hawks but it was Skyler Thellman who became the pitcher of record by striking out the side in the eighth inning. Chandler Anderson (1 IP, 2K) worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save. Ryan Wideman helped power the GHC offense with two doubles, a home run, and three RBIs. Austin Slate followed with two hits and one RBI. Adam Love and Bryson Stripling both hit solo home runs and Mitchell Walker added one hit in the win. In Thursday’s loss at Andrew College, Georgia Highlands fell behind early and was not able to recover. The host Tigers scored nine runs in the first two frames and added runs in every remaining inning except the third to end the contest in seven innings. Love led the Chargers’ offense with four hits including a home run and four RBIs. Jay Murdock had three hits including a homer and two RBIs. Hudson Sapp (two RBIs) and Slate (double, two RBIs). Walker contributed a triple and one RBI. Wideman added a double and Connor Faulker pitched in one RBI with a sacrifice fly. The Chargers utilized eight different pitchers in the loss including Trey Baker (0.2 IP, 6R, 2ER, 3H, 2BB), Declan Dun (1.1 IP, 3ER, 3H, 2BB, 2K), Trip DoVale (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 2K), Jeremy Gay (0.1 IP, 3ER, 2H, 1BB), Cole Turner (0.2 IP, 3ER, 4H, 2BB, 1K), Cason Rich (0.1 IP, 1ER, 0H, 1K), Zach Valentine (1 IP, 4R, 1ER, 3H, 2BB, 2K), and Kyle Stephenson (1.1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 1K). The win for Andrew College (28-21, 9-16) was their third straight heading into the conference tournament. Georgia Highlands (33-20, 13-12) plays Andrew College in the first round of the double-elimination tournament Monday at 3 p.m. The winner advances to face ABAC (28-28, 14-11) on Tuesday while the loser will fall to the elimination bracket. South Georgia State (36-19, 19-6) is the top seed and will play Tuesday against the Gordon State (23-30, 10-15) / East Georgia State (24-27, 10-15) winner from Monday’s first round. The GCAA Championship Tournament at LakePoint continues through next Thursday.