After losing a conference game for the first time this season Friday in Swainsboro, the Georgia Highlands baseball team bounced back to sweep a Saturday doubleheader with East Georgia State, 7-3 and 12-1. In the opener, the two teams were even after six innings at 3-3 before the Chargers scored four times in the top of the seventh. Georgia Highlands took advantage of six walks, an error, and one base hit in the inning to score the decisive runs. Three Chargers pitchers limited the Bobcats to just one earned run in the first game. Ryan Suppa (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 3K) picked up the pitching win in relief of starter Conner Perry (5 IP, 2R, 1ER, 4H, 3BB, 2K). Chandler Wood (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1K) earned a save with a scoreless seventh on the bump. In the second game Saturday, GHC pitcher Eric Moore tossed a seven inning complete game. He scattered seven hits and one walk while striking out five. The Chargers offense in Game 2 grabbed a 3-0 lead through the first four frames and then pulled away posting nine runs across the final three innings. Ethan Anderson collected five hits in the doubleheader and had four RBIs. Parker Poteet finished the day with three doubles at the plate. Caden Smith contributed two hits including a double and three RBIs. Zayd Brannigan also had two hits and three RBIs. Ben Olson totaled a pair of hits including a solo home run and David Smith had a two hits in the second game. Conner Todaro (RBI) and Mitchell Walker (2 RBIs) added one hit apiece. East Georgia slips to 21-16 on the year and 2-6 in the GCAA. Georgia Highlands (31-3, 7-1) plays at South Georgia Tuesday and will host the Hawks Friday in a single game and Saturday in a doubleheader at LakePoint.

Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided the opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville. The Adairsville High School Elite Athlete of the Month is Tristin Alford. A senior and the Line 3 singles player for the Tigers’ tennis team, Alford accomplished a six match win streak during Region 6-AAA play this season. “Tristin plays every point like it is his last,” said Adairsville head tennis coach Chris Davidson. “He is my varsity senior that plays harder than any player I have ever coached.” The son of Glenn Alford, Tristin carries a 3.5 GPA and plans to attend technical school after graduation to become an electrical technician. Aidan Larkin is the Cass High School Elite Athlete of the Month for March. The son of Michael and Rachel Larkin is a sophomore and a two-year starter for the Colonels varsity baseball team at shortstop. Larkin currently leads Cass in multiple offensive categories including batting average (.314), OPS (1.015), and extra base hits (9). He also plays baseball with his club team, 6-4-3 DP Cougars, and was recently named a Perfect Game 2022 Preseason Underclass All-Region Player. In addition to his stellar play, Aidan has also taken a greater leadership role with the team despite his youth and moving in from Connecticut just two years ago. The coaching staff credits Larkin for his passionate play and effort to improve every day. He carries a 3.9 GPA and continues to make tremendous strides toward realizing his goal of playing baseball at the collegiate level. The March 2022 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Woodland High School is Jaeden Smith. A junior this school year, Jaeden is a member of the Wildcats’ football team and is a first year competitor in sprints and jumps for the Woodland track and field team. One of the team’s leaders this season although he is new to track, Smith has broken his personal records at every meet. His improvement has been expedient and has been willing to try new tasks without any complaints. He has become a vital member of the team in long jump and sprints. “Jaeden is a role model in the classroom and on the field,” said Woodland coach Rebecca Beard-Arndt. “The younger athletes and the veterans look up to him for support. We are very fortunate to have him on the team and represent us as a true Wildcat.” The son of Maranda Smith, Jaeden is an A/B honor student and plans to pursue a degree in engineering or sports medicine. The March 2022 Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School is Eric Toviave. A senior, four-year letterman in both football and track and field, Toviave is the son of Ameyo Agassi and Opportun Toviave. Toviave was a defensive back and special teams player for the football team and competes in the 110M and 300M hurdles on the track. He also runs a leg on the Canes’ 4x100M relay team, and the 4x400M relay team. As of April 1 this season, Toviave is ranked 13th in Georgia in all classifications at the 100M hurdles; 5th in Class 5A; and 126th nationally. In the 300M hurdles, he holds a 39th ranking in Georgia in all classifications; 12th in Class 5A; and 348th nationally. His 4x100M relay team now holds the school record and last season as a junior he placed third in Class 5A in the 110M hurdles at the GHSA State Track and Field Championships. “Eric is the senior leader of our sprinters,” said assistant track coach Christina Long. “He is an outstanding hurdler and sprinter that is ranked both state-wide and nationally. Eric’s happy, outgoing personality is infectious and makes him the emotional leader of our entire team. Eric has had a challenging path growing up to include many things that would have caused most people to become cynical and even depressed, not Eric. He is optimistic, happy, an encourager, a team player, builder, and a leader. Whatever needs to be done, Eric will offer to do it. We are lucky to have him as part of our team. I am proud to have known him and to play a very small part in what he is becoming.” Toviave plans to run collegiate track and would like to pursue track and hurdles for as long as possible. He also plans to pursue a degree in industrial or electrical engineering with a dream to begin his own company as an independent contractor. Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool

The Adairsville girls soccer team wrapped up its 2022 season Friday night with an 8-0 shutout of visiting Mt. Zion-Carroll. The Lady Tigers poured in seven first half goals and cruised to the non-region victory. Senior Megan Hardin closed out her high school career with a hat trick of goals and one assist with a corner kick. Hardin’s goals came in the 13th minute off an assist from Gabi Becerra, in the 28th minute off a 25-yard direct kick that squeezed inside the top left corner, and in the 30th minute. Kaylee Jordan, Elle Causby, Emma Ridley, Becerra, and Jessica Hogue scored the other Adairsville goals. Jen Perez and Ridley contributed first half assists. Becerra assisted on the Tigers’ second half goal. Jordyn Hartline started at keeper and earned the shutout with one crucial save. Adairsville finished its 2022 campaign with a 9-4-1 record.

Cass baseball lost both games of a Region 7-5A home doubleheader with Calhoun Friday night at the Cass Athletic Complex, 9-4 in extra innings and 16-0. The Colonels held leads of 2-0 in the first inning, 3-2 in the third, and 4-3 through five innings in the first game before Calhoun sent the game to extra innings with a run in the top of the sixth. The 5th-ranked Yellow Jackets then scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning to secure their win. A two-run double by Kris Sutton and a three run home run by Andon Lewis were the big blows for Calhoun. Hayden Cole had a pair of doubles and three RBIs for Cass. Aidan Larkin also had two hits including a double and Carson Hill contributed a double with one RBI. Chase Botts and Todd Gaddy added one hit each for the Colonels. In the second game, Calhoun took a 7-0 lead in the top of the first inning and took advantage of thirteen walks by Cass pitchers to close out the nightcap in just four inning. The Yellow Jackets’ Cooper Evans tossed a four-inning no hitter with three walks and ten strikeouts. Evans also had two hits including a double and three RBIs to lead the Calhoun offense. Calhoun improved to 15-4 on the season and 5-2 in Region 7-5A. Cass (5-16, 4-5) steps out of region play next week to participate in the Battle for Bartow Classic at LakePoint in Emerson. The Colonels will play Sandy Creek, ranked No. 9 in Class 3A, next Thursday at 4 p.m. Cass will then face Locust Grove (RV, Class 5A) and Ringgold (RV, Class 3A) Friday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

After dropping their first region game of the year Tuesday night at 6th-ranked Blessed Trinity, the top-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes responded with a doubleheader sweep of the Titans Friday night at Richard Bell Field. Cartersville scored at least two runs in each of the first four frames to win the first game 11-1 in five innings. The Canes then took a 4-0 lead in the first inning of Game 2 and held on to edge the Titans, 4-3. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes’ pitching was fantastic. Caden Carroll (5 IP, 1ER, 2H, 11K) worked a complete game in the opener tossing a two-hitter with no walks and eleven strikeouts. In Friday’s second game, Colt McKibben (4.1 IP, 3ER, 2H, 2BB, 5K) picked up the win and worked on the mound into the fifth inning. Phillip Schiltz (2.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 7K) took over in the fifth and closed out the Titans. Drew Rothschild paced the Canes’ offense in the doubleheader with four hits including two doubles and six RBIs. Elliott Eastin (RBI), Hank Smith (double, RBI), and Caleb Daniel finished with two hits each. Jacob Ray (double, 2 RBIs), Blake Sutton (2 RBIs), Harrison Childers (RBI), and Jake Brasfield contributed one hit apiece. Curt Bonner added one RBI. Blessed Trinity slips to 13-8 overall and 7-2 in Region 7-5A. Cartersville (13-4, 6-1) travels to Calhoun for a region doubleheader next Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. The Canes will then play non-region games against Sandy Creek and North Paulding April 8 at Lakepoint as part of the 2022 Battle for Bartow Classic. Cartersville will also face Locust Grove Saturday April 9 in the Battle for Bartow.

The Woodland Wildcats completed a three game region series sweep of Hiram Friday night by winning both games of a doubleheader over the Hornets, 15-5 and 9-1. Woodland out hit Hiram fourteen to six in the opener and closed out the game in five innings. Hunter Shirley (3 IP, 0R, 3H, 5BB, 6K), Noah Herring (1.2 IP, 5ER, 3H, 3BB, 2K), and Chase Carson (0.1 IP, 0R, 1H) combined on the mound for the Wildcats. Ayden Ray (double, three RBIs), Julian Wright (RBI), and Coby Barrett led Woodland with two hits each. Jacob Gravett, Rowan Billings (double, sac fly), and Conner Stermer (double) each had one hit and two RBIs. Austin Sanders and Mason Williams contributed one hit and one RBI each. Jackson Rutledge, Jake Clowers, and Chase Carson also added one hit each. In Game 2, the Wildcats trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning but scored three times in the fifth and added six more runs in the sixth to pull away with the victory. Nate Rosser (3 IP, 0R, 0H, 4BB, 4K), Barrett (2.1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 3H, 5K), and Sanders (1.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 4K) each pitched for Woodland. Mason Williams had two hits for the Wildcats in Game 2. Carson (3 RBIs), Gravett (3 RBIs), Ray (2 RBIs), Rutledge (RBI), Wright, Billings, Stermer, and Bret Good added one hit apiece. Hiram falls to 1-19 on the season and 0-9 in Region 7-5A play. Woodland (10-11, 3-6) is scheduled to face Valdosta, Cedartown, and Ringgold next week as part of the Battle for Bartow Classic at LakePoint in Emerson. The Wildcats will then have three-game region series remaining with Calhoun April 12-15 and Cass April 19-22.

Coahulla Creek scored twice in the fifth inning to tie Adairsville and added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat the Tigers in Whitfield County, 6-4. In a back-and-forth affair, Adairsville led 1-0 after one inning. The host Colts scored twice in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Tigers then tied the game 2-2 in the third and took a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning before the Colts’ comeback. Coahulla Creek out hit Adairsville nine to five with Joey Estrada collecting three of the Colts’ base hits. Bailey Stroud (2.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 1K) picked up the Colts’ pitching win in relief of starter Julian Childs (4.1 IP, 4R, 2ER, 4H, 3BB, 3K). Peyton Bowen (1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) took the pitching loss for Adairsville. Jack Nelson (4.2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 6H, 3BB, 8K) started on the mound for the Tigers and Dawson Craig (0.1 IP, 0R, 1BB) retired the final out in the fifth inning. Coahulla Creek (7-11, 3-4 Region 6-AAA) plays at Adairsville (8-8, 3-4) Tuesday at 5:55 p.m.

The Georgia Highlands baseball team suffered its first conference loss of the season Friday afternoon in Swainsboro falling at East Georgia State, 7-4. The two teams were tied 3-3 through four innings, but the Bobcats took the lead for good with a four-run fifth inning. The Chargers added a single run in the eighth on an Ethan Anderson solo home run, but it wasn’t enough. Parker Poteet finished with a pair of hits and two RBIs for Georgia Highlands. Caden Smith doubled for the Chargers only other safety. Gage Vailes (4.1 IP, 7ER, 8H, 2K) was the losing pitcher for Georgia Highlands. Hunter Goodwin (3.2 IP, 0R, 1H) retired the final eleven outs without surrendering a run. The Chargers (29-3, 5-1) will complete this week’s series with the Bobcats with a doubleheader Saturday at East Georgia (21-14, 2-4).

Georgia Highlands College softball was swept in a conference doubleheader Friday at Stars Field in Cassville, falling 16-10 and 15-7 to East Georgia State. Allison Deweese had three hits including a home run and two RBIs to pace the Chargers’ offense in the first game. Haley Robinson doubled and hit a grand slam home run. Hailey Cronic also hit a home run for Georgia Highlands. Gracee Ellis (3 IP, 8ER, 9H, 2BB, 1K) was tagged with the pitching loss in the opener. Maggie Schandera (0.2 IP, 7ER, 4H, 1BB) and Katie Traynor (3.1 IP, 1ER, 5H, 1K) also pitched. Mac Wilkerson had three hits including a pair of grand slam home runs for the Bobcats. In Game 2, East Georgia broke open a 4-3 game in the fifth inning by posting 11 runs over their final two offensive frames to ease away with a 15-7 win. Robinson suffered the pitching loss in the second game for the Chargers. Katie Traynor (0.2 IP, 4ER, 4H) and Ellis (1.1 IP, 5R, 2ER, 5H) also pitched in relief. Robinson also finished with two hits including a double and one RBI. Deweese contributed two hits and one RBI. Audrey Johnson homered and completed the second game with four RBIs. East Georgia improved to 29-16 overall and 9-1 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Georgia Highlands (10-24, 3-5) returns to action at home next Tuesday hosting Georgia Military College.

The Woodland girls and boys track and field teams won the annual Bartow County Track and Field Championships Thursday hosted at Cartersville’s Weinman Stadium. The Woodland girls won with 169 points followed by Cartersville (107), Cass (89), and Adairsville (23). The Woodland boys claimed victory with 156.5 points. Cartersville was runner up with 110.50 followed by Cass (83) and Adairsville (70). Event Results:

The Cartersville High School tennis teams had matches this week with Cedartown and Blessed Trinity. The Cartersville boys edged the Bulldogs 3-2 but fell to the Titans 5-0. The Cartersville girls dropped a pair of 3-2 matches. The Lady Canes will be the No. 2 seed in the Region 7-5A Tournament while the Cartersville boys will be the No. 3 seed. Cartersville will host the Region 7-5A Tournament April 12-14. CEDARTOWN 3, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 2 Singles Line 1 — Emily Bush won 6-1, 6-0 Line 2 — Katie Lewis lost 2-6, 4-6 Line 3 — Madison Ferdon won 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 Doubles Line 1 — Mia Shaw / Anna Ramey lost 3-6, 7-6, 2-6 Line 2 — Sofia Motuba / Katherine Brown lost 4-6, 0-6 CARTERSVILLE BOYS 3, CEDARTOWN 2 Singles Line 1 — Luke Gambill won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 Line 2 — Walker Cooney lost 6-7, 0-6 Line 3 — Brock Wilson won 6-1, 6-2 Doubles Line 1 — Banks Wilson / Jack Minhinnett won 6-3, 6-4 Line 2 — Tom Bowen / Ben Caswell lost 2-6, 2-6 BLESSED TRINITY 3, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 2 Singles Line 1 — Emily Bush won 6-0, 6-0 Line 2 — Katie Lewis lost 2-6, 1-6 Line 3 — Madison Ferdon won 6-1, 6-0 Doubles Line 1 — Mason Cline / Mia Shaw lost 6-1, 6-7, 3-6 Line 2 — Anna Ramey / Sofia Motuba lost 2-6, 3-6 BLESSED TRINITY 5, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 0 Singles Line 1 — Luke Gambill lost 2-6, 1-6 Line 2 — John Paul lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 3 — Walker Cooney lost 2-6, 2-6 Doubles Line 1 — Banks Wilson / Brock Wilson lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 2 — Julian Cline / Chandler Mathison lost 3-6, 4-6

The Adairsville Tigers matched Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the hit column Thursday night, but came up short otherwise in a 4-1 Region 6-AAA road loss. The host Warriors posted two runs in the bottom of the first and never trailed in the contest. Adairsville narrowed the margin to 2-1 in the third inning but LFO added single insurance runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure the three-run victory. The win also completed a two-game region sweep for the Warriors. LFO won Tuesday’s matchup at Adairsville, 6-5, in eight innings. Donnie Brown (4 IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) and Tanner Mantooth (3 IP, 0R, 2H, 2BB, 3K) combined on the mound for Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Jack Whitley (6 IP, 4R, 3ER, 5H, 3BB, 1K) pitched all six innings for the Tigers and was saddled with the pitching loss in a complete game effort. Five different Warriors had one hit each in the game. Eli Walker, Peyton Tipton, and Jacob Gregg drove in one run apiece. Brenden Carroll had two hits for Adairsville including a double. Tyler Driggers contributed one hit and one RBI. Braden Powell and PJ Weeks each added one hit. LFO improved to 10-7 overall and 4-2 in region action. Adairsville (8-7, 3-3) will look to bounce back Friday at Coahulla Creek in a 5:55 p.m. first pitch.