While the Division I teams of the NCAA are entering the final week of the regular season, all of the other levels of college baseball and softball are either well into or entering the 2022 post season. Former Cartersville pitcher and current University of Houston grad student, Hannah Todd, posted a pair of outstanding performances in the circle for the Cougars last Wednesday against Texas A&M. The right hander worked the final 9-1/3 innings of a doubleheader to pick up a Game 1 save and an extra innings win in Game 2 over the Aggies. On collegiate baseball diamonds, four local pitchers and four other position players saw action this past week -- some in post-season play. At the professional baseball level, Connor Justus continued to hit over .300 in Triple-A while Anthony Seigler hit safely in each of his starts during the week. Meanwhile, Sam Howard has been designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. PRO BASEBALL SAM HOWARD — Indianapolis Indians (9th year pro; Pittsburgh Pirates organization; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS) … the southpaw was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis May 2 ahead of the Pirates’ roster reduction to 26 players. He has since been designated for assignment and dropped from the Pittsburgh 40-man roster this past Saturday. CONNOR JUSTUS — Charleston Dirty Birds (7th year pro; Triple-A Independent Atlantic League; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS) … had a solid week at the plate going 6-for-19 with a double, one home run, two walks, three runs scored, and five RBIs. The shortstop has a .308 batting average through 16 games and 64 plate appearances this season. The Dirty Birds are 9-7 and currently third in the South Division of the Triple-A Atlantic League behind Gastonia and High Point. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Tampa Tarpons (5th year pro; NY Yankees organization; Cartersville HS) … the switch-hitting catcher hit safely in all five games started last week going 5-for-18 with a double, one home run, four walks, and five runs scored. He also stole one base as the Tarpons went 4-2 at the Bradenton Marauders. Tampa (13-13) is in fourth place in the Florida State League’s West Division. The Tarpons play a six game series at the Dunedin Blue Jays Tuesday through Sunday. SOFTBALL MORGAN COOPER — Columbus State University (Fr., Woodland HS) … was utilized as a pinch runner Saturday in a 6-5 Peach Belt Conference tournament win over Flagler College. The Cougars also beat Lander in the semifinals before falling to North Georgia in the championship game. Columbus State (30-24) also finished second in the PBC regular season but the Cougars did not receive an NCAA D2 National Tournament at-large bid. PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … the Wolves’ catcher went 1-for-4 as her team was swept by Piedmont in the best-of-three championship series of the USA South Athletic Conference. Wesleyan (24-16) had its season end after not being selected for an NCAA D3 at-large bid. HANNAH TODD — University of Houston (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … enjoyed an outstanding day in the circle last Wednesday during a Cougars’ doubleheader sweep of Texas A&M. The righty retired the final five outs and earned her second save of the season in the Cougars first 3-2 home win over the Aggies. Todd entered in the sixth inning with one out yielding just one hit, an intentional walk and no runs while fanning two of seven batters faced. She then started the second game of the doubleheader — another 3-2 win — and worked all eight innings. Todd scattered five hits and one intentional walk giving up just two earned runs for her tenth win of the year. Houston (26-26-1) will play next in the American Athletic Conference single-elimination tournament that begins Thursday in Greenville, North Carolina. BASEBALL MASON BARNETT — Auburn University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a four inning start last Friday giving up a pair of earned runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out five with no decision in the 18th-ranked Tigers’ eventual 11-8 home loss to 3rd-ranked Arkansas. Auburn (32-16, 13-11) plays at Troy Tuesday before hosting a three game series with Alabama Friday through Sunday. JAKE GOOCH — Central Alabama CC (So., Cartersville HS) … hit safely in all five games last week and finished the stretch 6-for-12 with two doubles, four walks, two runs, and six RBIs. The Trojans were 2-3 falling at Wallace-Dothan and splitting a four game series with Wallace State-Hanceville. CACC did not qualify for the conference post season tournament and finished the season 24-31 overall and 12-20 in the Alabama Community College Conference. KENNY JINKS — Shorter University (So., Woodland HS) … struggled in a pitching start as the Hawks’ lost their Gulf South Tournament game to No. 1-seed Delta State, 13-0, Friday at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama. The southpaw faced just six batters surrendering five earned runs on three hits and two walks. The Hawks (29-21) bounced back to defeat Auburn-Montgomery, Valdosta State, and Lee to reach an fourth straight elimination game Tuesday against Alabama-Huntsville. In Monday’s 11-1 win over Lee, Jinks entered in the third inning and worked four shutout innings to earn the pitching victory. He scattered three hits and one walk while striking out three. Tuesday’s Shorter/UAH winner will play Lee for the GSC’s automatic bid to the NCAA D2 National Tournament. MASON McBEE — Coastal Alabama - South (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a pair of relief appearances last week at home against Enterprise State CC. The righty worked the sixth inning, facing five batters in a 3-1 loss last Thursday. He allowed one earned run on a walk and two hits. Saturday, McBee entered in the fifth inning and did not allow a run in 1-1/3 innings yielding one hit and one walk in a Sun Chiefs’ 10-9 win. Coastal (29-23-1, 19-13) has a play-in game Thursday against Bevill State for the ACCC Tournament that continues through Tuesday, May 17 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama. STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Jr., Cass HS) … went 3-for-10 with a sac fly and two RBIs as the Mountain Lions won their best-of-three conference tournament play-in series against visiting Flagler College. Spell reached base six times overall in the series by adding two walks and was hit by a pitch. YHC (35-17) opens the Peach Belt Conference four-team, double-elimination bracket against top-seed Columbus State Friday afternoon in Columbus. PRESTON WELCHEL — Coastal Alabama - South (So., Cartersville HS) … in a four game series last week with Enterprise State, the Sun Chiefs’ outfielder went 6-for-14 at the plate with a walk, two runs scored, and three RBIs. Coastal (29-23-1, 19-13) has a play-in game Thursday against Bevill State for the ACCC Tournament that continues through Tuesday, May 17 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (So., Cartersville HS) … entered as a defensive substitute at catcher Sunday in the eighth inning of the Grizzlies’ 9-1 home win over Fisher College (Massachusetts) in the Continental Athletic Conference Tournament. Georgia Gwinnett (42-14) won the GAC title with a 5-2 victory over Fisher Monday. The Grizzlies will host the NAIA Opening Round starting Monday May 16. DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham Southern College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … closed out the final two innings Monday of the Panthers’ Southern Athletic Association Championship series clinching win over 6th-ranked Millsaps College. Williams faced nine batters allowing one earned run on no hits and three walks to finish off an 8-3 win. Coupled with Sunday’s 14-4 win, 3rd-ranked Birmingham Southern (38-8) won the best-of-three series and will head into the NCAA D3 National Tournament as SAA champs.

The Cartersville boys golf team placed third out of 19 teams in the North Georgia Classic May 6-7 at Achasta Golf Course in Dahlonega. Lambert High School won the 36-hole event followed by Oconee Academy with the Hurricanes completing the tournament with a 10-over-par score. The Cartersville team fired an impressive even-par 288 in the second round. Cartersville’s Jake Lawson placed second individually out of 116 players. The senior fired rounds of 67-69 for an 8-under-par total. Jake Wehunt finished tied for 19th with a four-over 148. Andrew Lutjens and Camden Meadows both shot seven-over to tie for 27th.

After going hitless in the opening game of their Class 5A state quarterfinal best-of-three series with Greenbrier Monday night at Richard Bell Field, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes produced a dozen hits in Game 2 for an 11-1 win. The Cartersville victory extends the series to a deciding game Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. — again at the Cartersville Baseball Complex. Greenbrier pitcher David Bell was the star of Game 1. The senior, committed to Georgia State, tossed a no-hitter as the Wolfpack won 3-0. He needed only 91 pitches and struck out seven in his complete game effort. Cartersville starter, Ryan Johnson, was tagged with the loss in the opener. He allowed three runs — only one earned — on two hits and four walks. Geoffrey Gore worked three innings of scoreless relief surrendering just two hits while fanning two. The Wolfpack scored their first two runs in the third on a hit batsman, a walk, and a two-run throwing error following a bunt attempt. They added an insurance run the next inning on a walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly. Batting first as the visitors in Game 2, the Canes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning and never trailed as Cartersville’s starting pitcher — Caden Carroll — limited the Greenbrier offense to just three hits. Carroll worked all seven innings yielding just one walk. He struck out twelve. Curt Bonner singled to start the game for the Cartersville offense and Paul Gamble was inserted as a courtesy runner for the Canes’ catcher. After Elliott Eastin walked, the two baserunners swiped second and third on a double steal. A throwing error on the play allowed Gamble to score the opening run. The Hurricanes added three more runs in the third inning. Eastin produced a two-run single and Harrison Childers later added an RBI base hit. After Greenbrier (23-10) narrowed the margin to 4-1 in the bottom of the third, the Canes added on four more runs in the top of the fourth. Three hits, a pair of walks, and an infield error by the Wolfpack enabled Cartersville to build an 8-1 advantage. Eastin drove in a run with a groundout, Drew Rothschild doubled in a run and later scored on a wild pitch. Smith, who finished the game with three hits, drove in another run with a single in the sixth inning to make the score 9-1 while Bonner produced a sac fly and Eastin another RBI single in the top of the seventh for the Canes’ final two runs. Eastin totaled four RBIs on two hits and a sacrifice fly. Brasfield also had two hits. Bonner (RBI), Caleb Daniel, Rothschild (double, RBI), Childers (RBI), and Blake Sutton had the other Canes’ hits. Gamble, Smith, Eastin, Brasfield, and Sutton each stole a base in the victory. The win improved No. 1-ranked Cartersville to 28-6 on the season.

All four local high schools had athletes competing in GHSA State Track and Field Sectionals Saturday with the Class 5A schools -- Cartersville, Cass, and Woodland -- participating at Apalachee High School in Winder while Adairsville competitors were in action at a Class 3A Sectional at Greater Atlanta Christian in Norcross. Eric Toviave of Cartersville qualified for the GHSA State Finals in four events while Tre Mitchell of Adairsville qualified for the GHSA State Finals in three events. Kaitlynn Godwin (Cass), Anna Grace Boone (Cartersville), Kendrick Price (Cartersville), and Tyler Jones (Woodland) earned finals spots in two events each. Class 5A State Sectional at Apalachee High School in Winder. Locals with Top Eight finishes: 2nd - 300M Hurdles - Cartersville - Eric Toviave - 39.49 2nd - 110M Hurdles - Cartersville - Eric Toviave - 14.75 3rd - Boys 4x800M Relay - Woodland - 8:17.07 (McKinley Chappell, Tyler Jones, Drew Thayer, JT Forsyth) 3rd - Boys Pole Vault - Woodland - Noah Baer - 11-06 4th - Girls 100M Dash - Cass - Kaitlyn Godwin - 12.54 4th - Girls High Jump - Cartersville - Anna Grace Boone - 4-10 4th - Girls 4x800M Relay - Cartersville - 10:12.72 (Mason Cline, Trinity Atkins, Anna Grace Boone, Elizabeth Nelson) 6th - Girls 3200M Run - Woodland - Rylee Evans - 11;36.06 7th - Boys 3200M Run - Woodland - 9:58.51 7th - Girls Shot Put - Cass - Raziyah Ware - 34-06.05 7th - Boys 4x100M Relay - Cartersville - 43.34 (Eric Toviave, Stephen Rowser, Khristian Lando, Kendrick Price) 7th - Boys 4x400M Relay - Cartersville 3:31.75 (Kemari Mitchell, Will Feuerbach, Kendrick Price, Eric Toviave) 7th - Girls 100M Hurdles - Woodland - Kiconco Bassler - 16.89 8th - Girls 200M Dash - Cass - Kaitlyn Godwin - 26.22 Class 3A State Sectional at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross. Locals with Top Eight finishes: 2nd - Boys 400M Dash - Adairsville - Tre Mitchell - 50.02 4th - Boys High Jump - Adairsville - Tre Winters - 6-00 5th - Boys 200M Dash - Adairsville - Tre Mitchell - 22.46 7th - Boys 100M Dash - Adairsville - Tre Mitchell - 11.33 7th - Girls 100M Hurdles - Adairsville - Aliya McBryde - 17.08

Conner Todaro and Caden Smith produced four hits each to lead a Georgia Highlands College 23-hit attack Thursday afternoon as the Chargers homered six times and beat visiting Gordon State, 27-13. The win clinched the No. 1-seed for Georgia Highlands (42-9, 18-7) heading into next week’s GCAA playoff tournament at LakePoint in Emerson. The tournament will run Monday through Thursday (May 9-12). Georgia Highlands will begin tournament action Tuesday at 1 p.m. against Monday’s Gordon State/East Georgia State winner. Todaro singled in the second, singled in the third, homered in the fourth, and singled in the fifth to help pace the GHC offense to their 42nd win of the season Thursday. Caden Smith also had a double and a home run with three RBIs in his four hits. Parker Poteet, who finished with three hits, started the Chargers’ scoring with an RBI double in the bottom of the first to tie the game 1-1. After that, the Chargers scored three runs or more in each succeeding frame including eight runs in both the third and sixth innings. David Smith contributed three hits including a pair of home runs and seven RBIs for Georgia Highlands. Max Kops finished with three hits including a double, one home run, and four RBIs while Ethan Anderson tossed in his own three-hit performance including a double, one home run and three RBIs. Zayd Brannigan (RBI), Mick Moody, and Ben Olson had the other GHC base hits. On the mound, the Chargers utilized five different hurlers. Cason Rich was the only Georgia Highlands pitcher to work a scoreless outing. He closed out the final four outs of the sixth and seventh innings allowing just one hit with one strikeout. Gordon State finished fourth in the conference and 21-24 on the season heading into post-season play.

Cartersville Little League Majors baseball summaries for games played May 2-5. MONDAY, MAY 2 RANGERS 9, TIGERS 6 RANGERS: Will Groce two hits including one double, two RBIs; Emory Weaver two hits, two RBIs; Tyler Hickman two hits; Caden McMullin one double, one RBI; Brock Morris one hit, one RBI; Brayden Barnes one RBI. Pitching: Tyler Hickman (4 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H, 3BB, 6K); Caden McMullin (1.2 IP, 1ER, 0H, 1BB, 4K); Cayden Bagley (0.1 IP, 1ER, 2H). TIGERS: Aiden Turner one home run, two RBIs; Christopher Parker one triple, one RBI; Will Phillips one hit, one RBI; Cam Kachinsky and Steven Tumlin one hit each; Logan Kemp one RBI. Pitching: Kolston Privett (2.2 IP, 0R, 2BB, 1K); Braxton Lemon (0.2 IP, 4R, 1ER, 3H, 1K); Will Phillips (2 IP, 5ER, 5H, 4BB, 2K). PHILLIES 18, COLTS 3 PHILLIES: Colton Dunagan three hits including two home runs, seven RBIs; Luke Thomson two hits including one double, two RBIs; Caiden Cline two hits including one double, one RBI; Max Stepp one double, three RBIs; Owen Morneault and Noah Leffew one double, two RBIs each; Everett Owen and Jayden Winston one hit each. Pitching: Luke Thomson (3 IP, 3R, 1ER, 4H, 2BB, 7K). COLTS: River Wade two hits; Benjamin Milam and Demetrius Wynn one hit, one RBI each. Pitching: Andy Holstein (2 IP, 7R, 6ER, 7H, 2BB, 2K); Jude Hamilton (0.0 IP, 4ER, 2H, 2BB); Wesley Gravley (0.2 IP, 7R, 2ER, 2H, 3BB); Benjamin Milam (0.0 IP, 1H). TUESDAY, MAY 3 PADRES 14, DODGERS 2 PADRES: Jack McCurry one double, one triple, three RBIs; Parker Huth two hits including one triple, three RBIs; Jackson Vaughan one triple, one RBI; Darren Cole one hit, one RBI; Corbin Mullinax, Anthony Hunt, and Easton Raines one hit each. Pitching: Darren Cole (2 IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 3K); Trey Smith (2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 0BB, 1K). DODGERS: Blake Genrich one double; Noah Kearney, Jeremiah Huff, Bennett Bryant, and Benny Powell one hit each. Pitching: Bennett Bryant (2 IP, 9R, 6ER, 7H, 2BB, 2K); Jaxon Dice (1 IP, 4R, 0ER, 1H, 2BB, 1K); Brody Parker (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H). A’s 13, BRAVES 3 A’s: Zane Robertson three hits including one double, one triple, four RBIs; Peyton Duren two hits, two RBIs; Bowen Hardy two hits including one double, one RBI; Elliott Penn one double, two RBIs; Mason Davis one double, one RBI; Cade McFarland, James Guffey, and Charlie Perkins one hit, one RBI each. Pitching: Peyton Duren (1 IP, 2R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 1K); Bowen Hardy (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 2K). BRAVES: Easton Lee one double, one triple; Cade Rogan and Henry Culverhouse one hit each; Maddox Henderson one RBI. Pitching: Micah Henderson (2.2 IP, 9ER, 7H, 5BB, 5K). WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 RANGERS 10, TIGERS 3 RANGERS: Tyler Hickman three hits including two doubles, three RBIs; Brooks Fulton three hits including one double, two RBIs; Emory Weaver two doubles; Caden McMullin two hits including one triple; Will Groce, Joel Rensch, Xander Yanas, and Brock Morris one hit each. Pitching: Will Groce (2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 3K); Emory Weaver (4 iP, 2R, 1ER, 6H, 1BB, 5K). TIGERS: Aiden Turner two hits, one RBI; Braxton Lemon one triple; Steven Tumlin, Will Phillips, and Kolston Privett one hit each. Pitching: Kolston Privett (2 IP, 6ER, 8H, 2BB, 2K); Cam Kachinsky (4 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 3BB, 7K). PHILLIES 12, COLTS 4 PHILLIES: Colton Dunagan two hits; Caiden Cline one double, two RBIs; Jayden Winston one hit, one RBI; Max Stepp one hit; Noah Leffew and Everett Owen one RBI each. Pitching: Noah Leffew (5 IP, 4R, 0ER, 5H, 3BB, 4K); Colton Dunagan (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 3BB, 1K). COLTS: River Wade two doubles; Benjamin Milam one hit, one RBI; Andy Holstein and Wesley Gravley one hit each. Pitching: Brant Rutledge (4 IP, 8R, 3ER, 3H, 5BB, 8K); River Wade (2 IP, 4R, 0ER, 2H, 0BB, 3K). THURSDAY, MAY 5 PADRES 9, DODGERS 8 PADRES: Darren Cole four hits including two triples, three RBIs; Parker Huth two doubles, two RBIs; Davian Turner one triple, two RBIs; Drew Morris one hit; Jackson Vaughan one RBI. Pitching: Parker Huth (5 IP, 7R, 4ER, 7H, 3BB, 9K); Corbin Mullinax (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 1K). DODGERS: Noah Kearney three hits including one double, one triple, one RBI; Gabriel Hullander one triple, one RBI; Blake Genrich one double, one RBI; Jeremiah Huff and Jaxon Dice one hit, one RBI each; Bennett Bryant one double; Camden Jones one hit. Pitching: Blake Genrich (4 IP, 5ER, 4H, 5BB, 9K); Camden Jones (2 IP, 3R, 2ER, 3H, 0BB, 1K); Jeremiah Huff (0.2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H). BRAVES 6, A’s 0 BRAVES: Avery Slye one double, one triple, one RBI; Henry Culverhouse two hits, one RBI; Easton Lee one triple; Micah Henderson one hit; Maddox Henderson and Dylan Nguyen one RBI each. Pitching: Avery Slye (6 IP, 0R, 2H, 10K). A’s: Mason Davis one double; Bowen Hardy one hit. Pitching: Mason Davis (4 IP, 4ER, 5H, 4BB, 4K); Bowen Hardy (1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 1H, 0BB, 3K). CARTERSVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE MAJOR STANDINGS (through games played Thursday, May 5) Rangers . . . . . . . 15-0 Phillies . . . . . . . . 11-4 Tigers . . . . . . . . . 8-7 Colts . . . . . . . . . . 8-7 Padres . . . . . . . . . 8-7 Dodgers . . . . . . . . 5-10 Braves . . . . . . . . . 3-12 A’s . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13 Little League Major results are provided to Bartow Sports Zone by Cartersville Little League and Bartow County Little League. The game data is shared by the leagues via GameChanger reports from the respective teams and/or leagues. Results and capsules are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by The Benefit Consulting Group of Cartersville and George F. Willis Realty.

Georgia Highlands College softball concluded the 2022 season Saturday at Stars Field with a pair of dramatic, walk-off wins over visiting Gordon State, 16-15 and 8-7. Although the two wins left the Chargers short of qualifying for the GCAA conference tournament, they were able to send off their 2022 sophomores in style. Trailing 15-13 in the bottom of the seventh of the opener, Alli Deweese belted a three-run home run to lift the Chargers to a 16-15 victory. In the second game of the day, Haley Robinson worked all seven innings in the circle before delivering a solo shot in the bottom of the frame for an 8-7 win. It was her second homer of the game. Hailey Cronic completed the doubleheader with six hits including three doubles and one RBI. Deweese followed with five hits including a pair of homers and six RBIs. Robinson produced four hits on the day including her two solo homers. Madison Dennis also smacked a pair of home runs and finished the day with four RBIs. Kyndal Brown drove in a pair of runs on two hits including a double. Annsley Todd (HR, 2RBIs), Haley Overton (HR, 3RBIs), Audrey Johnson (HR, 3 RBIs), Bradey Tharp, and Taylor Justice added one hit each for the day. Gordon State finished the regular season 24-17 overall and 15-9 in conference play. The Highlanders will be the No. 2-seed in the GCAA Championship Tournament Thursday and Friday at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove. Georgia Highlands finishes the year 16-36 overall and 9-15 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.

Bartow County Little League Majors baseball summaries for games played April 25-28 MONDAY, APRIL 25 CARDINALS 5, GIANTS 4 CARDINALS: Tate Broom and Cole Williams one hit each. Pitching: Cole Williams (1.1 IP, 1R, 1H, 3BB); Bryce Patterson (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 2K); Cooper Rampley (0.2 IP, 3R, 0H, 4BB); Easton Mullinax (1.2 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 2K). GIANTS: Noah Janssen, Kamdyn Rowland, and August Blasengame one hit each. Pitching: Bryson Weaver (4 IP, 5R, 2H, 1BB, 7K). RANGERS 11, TIGERS 5 RANGERS: Logan Smith, Maddox Koontz, Blaine Groce, Jackson Bowman, and Thatcher Hall two hits each; Nash Roberts, Brodie Gardner, and Matthew Smith one hit each. Pitching: Matthew Smith (2.1 IP, 5R, 8H, 0BB, 5K); Caleb (2.2 IP, 0R, 0BB, 5K). TIGERS: Jaxton Huskins, Lucas Andrews, and Harrison Mills two hits each; Brady Young and Kayden Fletcher one hit each. Pitching: Caleb Carter (4 IP, 9R, 10H, 5BB, 1K); Jaxton Huskins (1 IP, 2R, 4H). TUESDAY, APRIL 26 BRAVES 9, TWINS 1 BRAVES: Elijah Bryant and Gunner Pullen two hits each; Huck Garland, Grayson Isham, and TJ Tuggles one hit each. Pitching: Mitchell Raughton (1 IP, 0R); Matt Zander (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 3K); Grayson Isham (2 IP, 1R, 0H, 2BB, 6K); Gunner Pullen (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 2K). TWINS: Noah Rogers one hit. Pitching: JoVonni Delgado (3 IP, 5R, 5H, 6BB, 3K); Karsin Darby (1 IP, 4R, 2H, 2BB, 3K). THURSDAY, APRIL 28 RANGERS 8, TWINS 4 RANGERS: Blaine Groce three hits; Nash Roberts, Parker Declan, and Logn Smith two hits each; Maddox Koontz one hit. Pitching: Blaine Groce (4.2 IP, 4R, 3H, 5BB, 10K); Brodie Gardner (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 1K). TWINS: Cade McCorkle two hits; Noah Rogers one hit. Pitching: Houston Walden (1 IP, 3R, 5H, 1BB, 2K); Noah Rogers (2.2 IP, 4R, 4H, 3BB, 4K); Cade McCorkle (1.1 IP, 1R, 1H, 1K). ORIOLES 4, CARDINALS 3 ORIOLES: Dawson Warner three hits; Landon Farmer and Alfredo Romo two hits each; Asher Hardin one hit. Pitching: Alfredo Romo (3.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 8K); Asher Hardin (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 1K); Dawson Warner (1 IP, 3R, 1H, 2BB, 1K); Jace Radford (0.1 IP). CARDINALS: Yacovett Jackson one hit. Pitching: Bryce Patterson (3 IP, 3R, 5H, 3BB, 6K); Tate Broome (2 IP, 1R, 2H, 2BB, 4K); Cooper Rampley (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 3K). Little League Major results are provided to Bartow Sports Zone by Cartersville Little League and Bartow County Little League. The game data is shared by the leagues via GameChanger reports from the respective teams and/or leagues. Results and capsules are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by The Benefit Consulting Group of Cartersville and George F. Willis Realty.

Georgia Highlands softball lost both games of a conference doubleheader Thursday at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, falling 9-1 and 11-7. Taylor Justice homered for the Chargers in the first game providing the only GHC run. Brady Tharp and Hailey Cronic had the only other base hits. In the second loss, Georgia Highlands produced a dozen hits and led 5-4 midway through the fourth inning. The host Bulldogs responded with four runs in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth to take control of the game. Madison Dennis, Audrey Johnson, Kyndal Brown (2 RBIs), and Tharp all had two hits each for the Chargers. Cronic (2 RBIs), Annsley Todd, Allison Deweese (RBI), and Haley Robinson (solo HR) added one hit each. GMC improved to 33-19 overall and 14-8 in conference play. Georgia Highlands (14-36, 7-15) hosts a doubleheader with Gordon State Saturday at Stars Field at 1 p.m. to complete regular season play.

The Georgia High School Association voted Wednesday morning that all athletes who want to play sports must participate based on the sex on their birth certificate. The GHSA, which represents 463 high schools, voted unanimously to go back to their 2017 bylaws, which said all high school athletes must compete based on the gender that is on the athlete’s birth certificate. “We wanted to keep a level playing field,” GHSA executive director Dr. Robin Hines said. Hines told reporters Wednesday that there was not a particular case that forced the high school sports governing body to make this ruling. “It really hasn’t been an issue. It’s out of a concern of competitive imbalance, understanding there is biological differences,” Hines said. Hines said the fact that members voted unanimously, shows the support for the policy but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. “Any bylaw that’s in our constitution and bylaws, is certainly appealable,” Hines said. The new policy will be put in place immediately and will be part of the 2022-23 school calendar.

ATHLETES BEYOND BARTOW A weekly review of local collegiate and professional athletes around the country with ties to the Cartersville and Bartow County community. This week's report includes an update on a trio of former Cartersville High baseball players toiling at the professional level; a conference golf championship for former Canes Chanc Willis and Dalton Henson; plus more college baseball, softball, pro hoops, tennis, and track and field. PRO BASEBALL Sam Howard (Indianapolis, Pittsburgh Pirates organization; Cartersville) — Howard received a call up April 26, appearing in three games before being optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis May 2. The southpaw gave up two earned runs across his trio of outings, which totaled two innings. Howard struck out one but walked four, gave up two hits and hit a batter. Connor Justus (Charleston Dirty Birds; Cartersville) — Starting all six games during the week of April 26-May 1, Justus finished 6-for-22, with three walks, five runs and four RBIs. Charleston went 2-4 during the week, falling to 6-4 on the season. Anthony Seigler (Tampa Tarpons, N.Y. Yankees organization; Cartersville) — Seigler started all five games of a home series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. He spent three games behind the plate and served as designated hitter in the other two. Overall, the former first-round selection went 5-for-13 with two doubles, a home run, four walks, three runs scored and two RBIs. COLLEGE BASEBALL Mason Barnett (Auburn Jr., Cartersville) — Barnett started and threw three-plus innings in an eventual 8-4 victory April 26 at Jacksonville State. The right-hander struck out five but allowed one run on four hits, two walks and a hit batsman. Micah Earwood (Georgia State Fr., Cartersville) — Earwood made a pair of one-inning relief appearances in road losses last week at Georgia and Troy. The former Canes star threw the sixth inning versus the Bulldogs, working around two hits to post a scoreless frame. Against the Trojans, Earwood allowed four runs on five hits in the eighth inning while striking out two. Jake Gooch (Central Alabama So., Cartersville) — Gooch finished 3-for-13 with four runs scored and two RBIs during a four-game home-and-home series with Lawson State. Kenny Jinks (Shorter Jr., Woodland) — In a pair of outings last week in heavy road defeats at Georgia Southwestern and Auburn-Montgomery, Jinks allowed six runs over 4 2/3 innings. The southpaw gave up five runs in a five-out relief appearance. He struck out three but gave up four hits, issued a walk and plunked a batter. Jinks bounced back in a start April 29. Despite allowing four hits and a walk, the former Wildcat exited after three innings with the Eagles holding a 2-1 lead. Brycen Jones (West Georgia Jr., Cartersville) — Jones was charged with four runs on four hits and two walks during a one-inning appearance out of the bullpen in a loss April 30 at Montevallo. Logan Martin (Sewanee Jr., Cartersville) — Despite giving up seven runs over seven innings, Martin earned an upset win over third-ranked Birmingham-Southern in the first round of the Southern Athletic Association tournament. Sewanee's offense broke open a tied game in the top of the eighth en route to a 16-7 win. The right-hander gave up seven hits, two walks and a hit batsman, while striking out nine. Mason McBee (Coastal Alabama South Fr., Cartersville) — McBee threw a scoreless inning during the second game of the Sun Chiefs' four-game sweep of Wallace Community College-Selma. The righty struck out two and walked one in the brief outing. Scotty Smith (Covenant Fr., Cass) — In Covenant's regular-season finale, Smith made a pinch-hitting appearance, walking and scoring a run, and played third base in a 12-4 win April 30 at Berea (Kentucky). Steven Spell (Young Harris Jr., Cass) — Spell finished 4-for-10 with two runs scored, as Young Harris dropped two out of three games to conclude the regular season April 29-May 1 at Georgia Southwestern. Next up, the Mountain Lions will face Flagler in a best-of-three series, with the winner earning a spot in the double-elimination portion of the Peach Belt Conference tournament. Preston Welchel (Coastal Alabama South So., Cartersville) — During the home-and-home sweep of Wallace-Selma, Welchel went 6-for-13 with eight runs scored and six RBIs. In the series finale, the left-handed hitter finished 3-for-3 with two home runs, three runs scored and four RBIs. Cohen Wilbanks (Georgia Gwinnett So., Cartersville) — Wilbanks caught the final frame of a 12-2, seven-inning win against Brewton-Parker April 26 at home. Davis Williams (Birmingham-Southern Fr., Cartersville) — In addition to a brief outing in Williams recorded two victories in the SAA tournament, helping regular-season champion Birmingham-Southern win its four-team pod and reach the conference finals. Hosting No. 8 seed Sewanee, No. 5 seed Hendrix and No. 4 seed Oglethorpe, BSC reeled off five straight wins after a loss in its opener. With their backs against the wall, Williams landed a win against Oglethorpe, tossing three scoreless innings. He gave up one hit and struck out one. In an 8-4 triumph against Hendrix to set up a winner-take-all final, Williams tossed a season-high 4 2/3 innings to close out the game. The right-hander allowed two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out five. BSC will host sixth-seeded Millsaps in the best-of-three championship series. Jordan Wilkie (Augusta Jr., Cartersville) — Augusta's final week consisted of five losses, but Wilkie recorded hits in each contest, finishing the year with a .317 batting average. He posted six hits across 21 at-bats, spanning single defeats to Erskine and Anderson (South Carolina) in addition to a three-game sweep versus Georgia College. Wilkie doubled, tripled, scored three times and drove in one run. PRO BASKETBALL A.J. Mosby (Albany Patroons, The Basketball League; Cartersville) — Mosby finished with 22 points in addition to seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 99-83 win over Atlantic City April 30 at home. GOLF Dalton Henson (Reinhardt So., Cartersville) — Henson finished tied for 12th as Reinhardt won the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament by 19 strokes April 25-26 at Barnsley Gardens Resort. In the three-round event, Henson finished 18 shots over par, highlighted by an even-par 72 in the second round. With the victory, the Eagles, who were sixth after the opening round, received an automatic bid to the NAIA National tournament that will take place May 17-20 in Silvis, Illinois. Chanc Willis (Reinhardt So., Cartersville) — Willis placed 11th overall in the AAC championship, shooting a 16-over 232. He finished with the third-lowest score among the Eagles, just ahead of his former Canes teammate. SOFTBALL Colbi Ballard (Shorter Jr., Cartersville) — Ballard finished 0-for-2 with a walk during a season-ending three-game weekend sweep at the hands of Auburn-Montgomery. Morgan Cooper (Columbus State Fr., Woodland) — Cooper served as a pinch-runner April 30 during the seventh inning of Columbus State's series opener against USC-Aiken. The Cougars will enter the Peach Belt Conference tournament as the No. 2 seed. Presly Edwards (Wesleyan Jr., Cartersville) — Edwards went hitless while appearing in four of Wesleyan's five games last week. Wesleyan went 4-1, winning a play-in game and surviving a winner-take-all bracket final in the USA South tournament after entering as a No. 5 seed. Having won their bracket, the Wovles will contest a best-of-three series with Piedmont, winner of the conference's other bracket, for the league's overall title and automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Ansley Evans (Reinhardt Fr., Woodland) — During four games in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament, Evans went 3-for-9 with a run scored and three RBIs. Second-seeded Reinhardt placed fourth after finishing 2-2 in the event, with wins over Point and Brenau and losses to Tennessee Wesleyan and Truett McConnell. Brianna Hill (Covenant So., Woodland) — Hill made a pinch-hitting appearance in Covenant's USA South tournament opener. The Scots went 0-2 in Piedmont's bracket, suffering narrow losses to Greensboro (2-0) and Methodist (4-3). Sadye Johnson (North Georgia Fr., Adairsville) — Johnson appeared in three games last week for the Nighthawks, finishing 0-for-4 with a run scored. North Georgia ended the regular season winning all five of its games last week. The top seed for the Peach Belt Conference tournament, the Nighthawks will open against either Young Harris or Georgia Southwestern in the semifinals. Lauren McElhaney (West Georgia So., Cartersville) — In a season-ending series April 29-30 at Montevallo, McElhaney started all three games at catcher. The former Canes backstop went 2-for-9 with a run scored and two RBIs. Hope Short (Shorter So., Cartersville) — Short was hitless in a pinch-hitting appearance during Shorter's season finale. Hannah Todd (Houston Grad Student, Cartersville) — Houston lost its four games last week, while scoring just one total run. Todd saw action in three of the contests, suffering defeats in the two games she started. In a midweek loss to Louisiana, Todd tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing one hit and one walk. She didn't allow a single earned run in a 4-0 defeat in the series opener against South Florida. In the series finale, Todd was charged with four runs (three earned) over 3 2/3 innings. Across those two appearances against the Bulls, the right-hander struck out five against seven hits and four walks. Alexa Varner (Shorter So., Adairsville) — Varner came off the bench to pinch-run in one game and finished 0-for-1 at the dish in another contest during the Auburn-Montgomery series. TENNIS Christy Turner (Coppin State Sr., Woodland) — In the first round of the MEAC tournament, Turner fell 6-1 on Line 3 doubles and had her Line 4 singles match end early when Morgan State secured a 4-0 victory April 28 in Cary, North Carolina. Bryce VanOrder (Piedmont So., Woodland) — VanOrder dropped a 6-2, 6-0 decision on Line 2 singles as Piedmont came up short to Southern Virginia by a 6-3 final score in the quarterfinals of the USA South tournament April 28 at the Rome Tennis Center. TRACK AND FIELD Stephen Smith (Kennesaw State Jr., Cass) — Smith was one of five pole vaulters to finish with a max height of 4.82 meters during the Torrin Lawrence Memorial meet hosted by the University of Georgia April 29-30 in Athens. Smith finished third among the five and sixth overall at the meet. ~~ Nicholas Sullivan of The Daily Tribune News contributed to this report.

The No. 1-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes closed out their second round Class 5A playoff series Tuesday night with a doubleheader sweep of the visiting Coffee Trojans. After the Canes took the opening game 3-2, the locals eliminated Coffee in Game 2, 6-0. Game 1 story available HERE. In the series clincher, Cartersville starting pitcher Caden Carroll was solid on the mound working six shutout innings. He scattered four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out nine. Phillip Schiltz, who earned a save in the first game of the night, closed out the seventh inning. Schiltz surrendered a one-out double, but wrapped up his shutout frame with a fly out and a ground out. Playing as the visiting team in Game 2, Cartersville took an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning on a Hank Smith RBI single. In the top of the third, Harrison Childers’ RBI single, Jacob Ray’s RBI double, and a sacrifice fly by Blake Sutton built the Hurricanes a 4-0 lead. Ray singled home another run in the fifth inning and Drew Rothschild closed out the Cartersville scoring with an insurance solo home run to lead off the seventh inning. Childers finished Game 2 with three hits and one RBI. Ray had two hits including a double and two RBIs. Hank Smith (RBI) also finished with two hits. Rothschild (HR), Curt Bonner, Elliott Eastin, and Caleb Daniel added one hit apiece. The year ends for Coffee with a 19-11 record. Cartersville (27-5) advances to the state quarterfinals for the 23rd time in the past 26 seasons. The Canes will now host Greenbrier in the Class 5A quarters in a best-of-three series at Richard Bell Field. The series will begin with a doubleheader Monday. If a third game is needed, it will be on Tuesday. The Wolfpack (22-9) finished third in Region 8-5A during the regular season, but swept Jackson in the first round of the state playoffs and Ola in the second round Tuesday night, 12-2 and 6-0.