Georgia Highlands split a baseball doubleheader with Three Rivers CC (Missouri) Sunday. The Chargers lost the opener 4-3 before winning the second game 6-3. Johnny Dow (6 IP, 3ER, 5H, 4K) was the winning pitcher in the second game for the Chargers. Jett Kern (1 IP, 2K) earned a save. Ethan Underwood (6 IP, 4R, 3ER, 5H, 7K) suffered the pitching loss in the opener. Levi Ayers struck out the side on the mound for GHC in the first game’s seventh inning. David Smith had three hits in the doubleheader including two home runs and three RBI. He also walked once. Gavin Harmon hit a two-run homer in the second game. Mickey Maguire had two hits for the day including a double. Joe Sutton had two hits, a walk, and two RBI in the second game. Omar Daniel doubled, walked, and drove in a run in Game 1. Bam Thomas (double), Palmer Sapp, and Brandon Prince added one hit each. The Chargers (14-4) host Point University JV in a doubleheader Wednesday at 4 p.m. and will entertain Sinclair CC (Ohio) in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday’s game is a 12 noon start.

Major League Baseball's Spring Training Grapefruit League action got underway this past weekend and Cartersville's Sam Howard made his initial appearance with his new club. Howard, who was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the off-season from the Colorado Rockies, made a one-inning appearance Sunday in a split-squad loss to the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, college baseball and softball schedules have now hit full stride with seventeen former Bartow County high school standouts contributing with their respective programs. The week's highlights included former Cartersville Hurricane Preston Welchel's first collegiate base hit. NOTE: Winter/Spring updates for other sports will be published in a separate article. PRO BASEBALL SAM HOWARD — Pittsburgh Pirates (7th yr. pro; LHP; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… made his first appearance with his new team Sunday in a split squad spring training game. Howard was acquired by the Pirates in the off-season from the Colorado Rockies. Howard was inserted to pitch in the sixth inning of a 3-3 game with the Detroit Tigers and struggled before recovering to escape the frame without extensive damage. He walked Riley Greene on four pitches, gave up a run-scoring double to Jorge Bonifacio, and walked Kennys Vargas and Danny Woodrow to load the bases before escaping the inning with only one run allowed. Howard got Grayson Greiner to fly out to centerfield and then induced an inning-ending double play off the bat of Corey Joyce. The Tigers went on to win the game 8-4 handing Howard the pitching loss. Pittsburgh (0-3) has spring training games with the Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Orioles, Twins, and Blue Jays this week. SOFTBALL COLBI BALLARD -- Shorter University (Fr., Cartersville HS)... scored a run as a pinch runner Sunday in the Hawks' 12-11 win against Catawba at the Young Harris College Invitational. Shorter (1-9, 0-3 Gulf South Conference) hosts West Georgia Friday and Saturday in conference action. SKYLAR CHAPPELL — Cottey College (Fr., Inf., Woodland HS)… made a pair of pinch hitting appearances last week as the Comets swept doubleheaders at home against Oklahoma Wesleyan Tuesday and William Penn (Iowa) Friday. She also appeared as a pinch hitter Sunday in a 12-5 loss to Benedictine College (Kansas). Chappell has started two games and appeared in seven for the Comets. Cottey (10-2) hosts Central Baptist (Arkansas) Saturday and Missouri Valley College Sunday in a pair of doubleheaders. PRESLEY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (Fr., C, Cartersville HS)… started both games of a home doubleheader Sunday against Sewanee-University of the South — once as the designated player and the other at catcher. Edwards was 3-for-7 in the two games with a double and one RBI. The Wolves won both games, 1-0 and 9-3. Wesleyan (3-1) will host Fort Valley State Wednesday and Pfeiffer University (NC) Sunday in a pair of doubleheaders. SARAH FOX — Agnes Scott College (So., SS, Cass HS)… had a sixth inning, pinch-hit, RBI-single into centerfield Saturday in a 9-1 home win over Sewanee-University of the South. She then added two hits and two RBI in a 10-6 win during Saturday’s second game. Sunday, the Scotties dropped both games of a home doubleheader to Point University. Fox was 1-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base, and scored two runs. Agnes Scott (2-4) plays at Point Wednesday, hosts Pfeiffer University Saturday and Salem College Sunday in doubleheaders. HANNAH KNAPP — Talladega College (Sr.,1B, Adairsville HS)… the Tornadoes dropped four games at the Southern Wesleyan University Warrior Classic Friday and Saturday with Knapp going 2-for-7 with a pair of walks, a run scored, and one RBI. Talladega had losses to Columbia International and the host Warriors. The Tornadoes (0-7) will host Tennessee Wesleyan in a doubleheader March 6. PARIS POSTON — Columbus State University (So., OF, Cartersville HS)… playing in the Young Harris College Tournament Saturday and Sunday, Poston was 1-for-4 in a 9-3 loss to 19th-ranked Travecca Nazarene, 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base in an 8-3 win over Catawba College, and 2-for-4 with a double, walk, run scored, and four RBI in an 11-7 loss to 8th-ranked Lincoln Memorial. With the productive tournament, Poston has raised her batting average to .281 with six RBI. Columbus State (6-7) will host Wingate University in a doubleheader Saturday. HANNAH TODD — Kansas University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)… playing at the Boerner Invitational in Arlington, Texas, Todd came out of the bullpen to record a strikeout for the final out in the seventh inning but the Jayhawks eventually fell to Texas-San Antonio Friday 8-7. She walked three batters without recording an out in a 10-1 win over Rutgers Friday and the Jayhawks made it four wins in a row with a pair of victories over Texas-Arlington Saturday and Rutgers Sunday. Kansas (6-9) will play in the Reveille Classic Friday through Sunday where they will square off against host Texas A&M and Southeastern Louisiana in a pair of games each. COLLEGE BASEBALL LEVI AYERS — Georgia Highlands CC (So., RHP, Cartersville HS)… worked a spotless seventh inning and fanned all three batters he faced Sunday in a 4-3 loss to Three Rivers CC (Missouri). Georgia Highlands (14-4) has won eight of nine games heading into Wednesday’s doubleheader with Point University and a three-game series Saturday and Sunday with Sinclair CC. All five games will be at LakePoint in Emerson. MASON BARNETT — Auburn University (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… faced the minimum in a ninth inning appearance, striking out two in last Wednesday’s 17-1 win over Oakland University (Mich.). 20th-ranked Auburn (5-3) hosts Alabama A&M Tuesday and Wednesday before entertaining Wright State in a three-game series Friday through Sunday. BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (Jr., 1B, Cass HS)… walked twice, was hit by a pitch, and scored a run in the Mountain Lions’ 16-6 loss Wednesday at Tusculum. He also drew a walk but was 0-for-2 in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Georgia Southwestern State. Young Harris (8-3, 2-1) entertains Carson-Newman University Tuesday prior to their trip to Florence, South Carolina Friday through Sunday for a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Francis Marion University. JAKE COLLUM — Snead State CC (Fr., RHP, Cass HS)… allowed two earned runs on two hits and a hit batsman Sunday in his first collegiate appearance. He was entered in the seventh inning and was tagged as the pitcher of record in a 4-2 loss at Andrew College. The Parsons (6-2) travel to East Mississippi CC Thursday and will host the same team in a doubleheader Saturday. CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (Jr., OF, Cartersville HS)… went 1-for-3 with one RBI Sunday and was 1-for-2 with one RBI Saturday in a pair of losses at Lander University. He was also hitless in a home start last Wednesday against Lake Erie College. The Jaguars (2-10, 1-5 Peach Belt Conference) were 0-4 for the week and will try to snap their skid at home Wednesday against Coker College. Augusta also has a three-game series Friday through Sunday at Flagler College. LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Sr., C, Adairsville HS)… went hitless in a pair of home starts this weekend but drove in one run Saturday as the Wolves won two of three games with University of Montevallo in Gulf South Conference action. West Georgia (9-4, 4-2) hosts Tuskegee University Tuesday before traveling to Rome for a three-game conference series at Shorter Friday and Saturday. KENNY JINKS — Shorter University (So., LHP, Woodland HS)… retired the final out of the fifth inning and the first of the sixth inning in last Monday’s 8-7 home win over Emmanuel College. Jinks faced three batters allowing one hit — a triple — and one earned run. Shorter (11-1, 1-1 Gulf South Conference) plays at Georgia College Tuesday and will host West Georgia in a three-game conference series Friday and Saturday. LOGAN MARTIN — Sewanee: Univ. of South (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… tossed three and two-thirds innings in a start Sunday against Dominican (Illinois). He allowed six runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while fanning six. He was tagged with the pitching loss. The Tigers (6-1-1) host Centre College (Kentucky) Saturday and Sunday in a three-game series to open Southern Athletic Association play. DEVIN WARNER — Grayson CC (So., OF, Cartersville HS)… went 0-for-2 but drew a walk and added a sacrifice last Tuesday in a 5-4 home win over Navarro CC. He was also hitless as the starting designated hitter in a 2-1 win Friday at Seminole State (Okla.). The Vikings (8-1) play at Navarro Monday and will travel to Carl Albert State (Okla.) for a three-game series Friday and Saturday. PRESTON WELCHEL — University of South Alabama (Fr., OF, Cartersville HS)… made a start at designated hitter and had his first collegiate base hit Wednesday in a 4-0 loss at 2nd-ranked Vanderbilt. He also made an appearance as a pinch hitter in a 3-0 Tuesday loss at Vandy. Saturday, Welchel started in right field and was 0-for-4 in a 4-2 loss to Indiana. USA (4-5) hosts New Orleans Tuesday night and has a three-game series Friday through Sunday at home with Gonzaga. COHEN WILBANKS — Lee University (Fr., C/P, Cartersville HS)… made a pinch hitting appearance and walked in the Flames’ 13-4 win over Lewis University. Lee (8-5, 1-2) plays at Lincoln Memorial Tuesday afternoon before traveling to Memphis to take on Gulf South Conference foe Christian Brothers University in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday.

With conference basketball post-season tournaments just around the corner, local athletes continue to make contributions with their teams across the country. Cass High graduate Jacquez Fountain scored 30 points for Albany Tech in his only game last week while Adairsville High product Nakiyah Washington poured in 23 points, collected eight rebounds and made eight steals for Piedmont College. This update also includes former local high school athletes contributing at the college level with their track and field teams. For college baseball and college softball updates for the week ending February 23, please see this previous update. -- ATHLETES BEYOND BARTOW: Howard debuts with Pirates, Welchel gets first college hit COLLEGE BASKETBALL Jacquez Fountain (Albany Tech Fr., Cass) — Fountain made the most of his singular game last week, pouring in a game-high 30 points in a 79-67 home loss to Georgia Highlands. Fountain made 12 of 21 field-goal tries, including shooting 5-for-11 from beyond the arc. He added eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Ashton Hagans (Kentucky So., Cartersville native) — Hagans totaled 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals in wins over LSU (79-76, Tuesday) and Florida (65-59, Saturday). Whitney Harris (Toccoa Falls So., Woodland) — Harris ended up with eight points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in a 74-58 defeat Thursday against Trinity Baptist. She also scored nine points to go with two steals, one rebound and one assist in a 97-41 loss Saturday to Pensacola Christian. Carter Hedden (Hocking So., Cass) — Hocking fell in the Region XII championship game to Columbus State, ending the season at 18-14. Hedden played seven minutes in the title game, recording one steal in that time. Evan Lee (Northland Fr., Excel) — Lee contributed two points in a 70-51 victory Saturday over Lake Superior. Northland earned the No. 2 seed for the Region XIII tournament and will face Riverland Thursday. Kimora McClinic (Middle Georgia State Jr., Cartersville) — After not seeing the floor in an 81-70 defeat Thursday against William Carey, McClinic saw a season-high 20 minutes in a 102-57 loss Saturday at Loyola. She scored seven points, dished out two assists and grabbed one rebound. Coriana McDaniel (Andrew Fr., Adairsville) — McDaniel recorded one steal in five minutes of a 63-55 loss Saturday to East Georgia State. Andrew and East Georgia State will meet again today in the Region 17 quarterfinals. Kyla Michienzi (Piedmont R-Fr., Cass) — Michienzi played seven scoreless minutes off the bench in a 78-63 home victory Saturday over Averett in the quarterfinals of the USA South tournament. Piedmont will face William Peace in the semifinals Saturday in Berea, Kentucky. Jana Morning (Berry Jr., Cass) — Morning concluded her season with 10 points in Berry's 64-53 loss Sunday to Centre in the quarterfinals of the Southern Athletic Association tournament. She also finished with a pair of assists and a pair of steals. Jaylon Pugh (Furman So., Cartersville) — Pugh sank a key 3-pointer on his only shot attempt in six minutes of a 67-66 win Saturday over Wofford. The trey tied the score at 54-all with 6:16 to go in the second half, as the Paladins remained one game back of East Tennessee State for the top spot in the Southern Conference. Josie Summerville (North Park So., Adairsville) — North Park dropped its final two games of the regular season and will take a four-game losing streak into the first round of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament today. In those two defeats, Summerville totaled eight points, seven rebounds two assists, one block and one steal. Third-seeded North Park will face No. 6 seed North Central in the opening round. Darius Thrower (Truett McConnell Sr., Excel Christian) — Thrower scored 11 points with four rebounds and two assists in a narrow 72-68 setback against then-No. 25 Union. He struggled in an 89-69 win Wednesday against Point, but he bounded back in a major way to finish his career with a 22-point effort Saturday against Kentucky Christian. After shooting 1-for-7 from 3-point range in the Point victory, Thrower sank 6-of-7 shots from deep in Saturday's 98-93 overtime defeat. He added two rebounds, one block and one steal. Nakiyah Washington (Piedmont Fr., Adairsville) — Washington scored 18-plus points for the fourth straight game in helping the Lions advance to the conference semifinals. She finished with 23 points, while shooting 8-for-20 from the field, 1-for-2 from deep and 6-for-10 from the foul line. In addition to her team-high points, Washington added eight rebounds and eight steals, while chipping in one assist and one block. Carrod Watson (North Georgia Sr., Woodland) — Watson had a quiet night in a 92-65 loss Wednesday to Augusta, finishing with just two points, three rebounds, and one steal. He was much more productive Saturday against Georgia College, totaling 10 points, three rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block in a 78-77 overtime defeat. Breeana Wilson (Georgia Highlands Fr., Adairsville) — Wilson posted two rebounds in a 72-46 win Wednesday over Albany Tech. She was not credited with any stats in a 67-59 victory Saturday over Lawson State. TRACK AND FIELD Terry Berdin (Reinhardt So., Cartersville) — Berdin placed 13th in the finals of the men's 200-meter dash last week at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Indoor Championships. Parker Breedlove (Reinhardt Fr., Cartersville) — The Eagles came in fifth in the men's 4000-meter distance medley relay, as Breedlove ran the team's second leg of 400 meters in 54.082 seconds at the AAC championships. Trevor Knowles (Albion Jr., Woodland) — Knowles finished sixth in the high jump Saturday at the Hillsdale Tune-Up. — contributions by Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News

In a matchup of Wildcats Saturday in Marietta, Woodland pounded out 16 hits on their way to an easy 15-1 win at Wheeler. Woodland pitcher Trent Porter (4 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 4K) started on the mound and earned the victory with four innings of shutout work. Drew Billings (3 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K) closed out the final two frames. Woodland led 7-0 through two innings, added two more runs in the fourth inning for a 9-0 lead, and posted a six-run seventh inning. The lone Wheeler run came in the fifth inning on a single, a double, and a ground out. Eleven different Woodland players had at least one hit. Scotty Smith had two hits including a home run and three RBI. Jackson Rutledge and Jacob Gravett had two hits and two RBI each. Carter Heath and Fisher Davis also finished the day with a pair of hits. Zach Wilson (double, 2 RBI); Peyton Posey and Jakiyon Porter (double, RBI each); J.T. Hampton (RBI), Brycen Stephens, and Phoenix Cramer had one hit each. Billings drove in a run. The loss drops Wheeler to 1-5 on the season. Woodland (3-2) plays at Kennesaw Mountain Monday afternoon. RINGGOLD 5, CARTERSVILLE 2 Ringgold scored five runs across the first three innings and held off Cartersville down the stretch for a 5-2 non-region win Saturday at Richard Bell Field. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a hit batsman, double, and a sacrifice fly. They added three more in the second inning for a 4-0 lead on a walk, three singles, and a pair of infield errors. Ringgold extended its lead to 5-0 in the third on a single and a three-base throwing error. The Canes scored in the fourth inning with three singles and a Tigers’ infield error to narrow the margin to 5-1. Cartersville then added a run in the seventh and had the bases loaded but Ringgold pitcher Mason Parker induced a groundout to end the Hurricanes’ threat. Starting pitcher Chase Ghomley (3.2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 7H, 1BB, 2K) earned the pitching win for Ringgold. McCain Mangum (2.2 IP, 1ER, 1H, 3BB, 1K) worked into the seventh inning in middle relief. Sam Mills had two hits including a double and two RBI to pace the Tigers’ offense as Ringgold improved to 2-4 on the season. Cartersville utilized three pitchers in the loss. Mason McBee (1.2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 4H, 1BB) started and was saddled with the loss. Hayden Davidson (3.1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 2K) entered in the second inning and Drew Rothschild (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2K) recorded the final six outs. Parker McPherson had two hits for Cartersville including a double. Hank Smith also contributed a pair of hits. Elliott Eastin, Clay Ross, Rothschild (RBI), Karson Hornberger, and Jack Carter added one hit each for the Canes. ROCKMART 3, CARTERSVILLE 0 Four Rockmart pitchers, led by LSU-commit Ty Floyd, combined for a no-hitter Saturday evening at Richard Bell Field as the Yellow Jackets blanked the Hurricanes, 3-0. Floyd struck out eight of the nine batters he faced across the first three innings. Javin Whatley fanned all three batters he faced in the fourth inning. Trevor Caldwell struck out the side in the fifth inning and Brayden Cole closed out the final two innings with a pair of strikeouts. Cole did issue three walks. Cartersville pitchers kept the Canes within striking distance. Micah Earwood (4 IP, 2R, 0ER, 3H, 2BB, 8K) took the loss without allowing an earned run. Silas Freeman (1.1 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 4K), and Davis Williams (1.2 IP, 0R, 2H, 1BB, 4K) pitched in relief for the Hurricanes. Rockmart (2-0) scored twice in the top of the third by taking advantage of a pair of singles that sandwiched an infield error. The Yellow Jackets added a run in the sixth inning on a dropped third strike, a walk, and back-to-back singles. Floyd (RBI) and Cooper Yanzetich had two hits each for Rockmart. Cole Deems, C.J. Culver, and Andruw Morris (RBI) added one hit apiece. Cartersville (1-3) has now dropped three straight and will look to get back on track Wednesday when the Canes travel to Sonoraville for a 5:55 p.m. start.

Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 5 Youth Basketball tournament results from various sites. Games played Thursday-Saturday, February 20-22. GRPA District 5 Youth Basketball 8U Girls at Gilbreath Rec Center - Floyd County BARTOW 18, ROME 16 BARTOW: Shyia Woods 10, Isabelle Tumming 4, Carder Brock 3 Bartow will play Paulding County Monday at 7:15 p.m. 10U Girls at Edwards Park - Whitfield County BARTOW 31, ROME-FLOYD 17 BARTOW: Rakhia Pace 12; Lakiaya Banks 6; Alaina Parr 4; Ella Rogers 3; Kylie Gentry, Jabryanna Harris, Isabella King 2 each. WHITFIELD 49, BARTOW 13 BARTOW: Ella Rogers 5; Lakiaya Banks 4; Jabryanna Harris 3; Rakhia Pace 1 12U Girls The Bartow 12U Girls received an opening round bye and will play Tuesday against Cobb County at 6 p.m. in the GRPA District 5 semifinals. 8U Boys at Anthony Rec Center - Rome WHITFIELD 31, BARTOW 25 No game report. 10U Boys at Edwards Park - Whitfield Co. BARTOW BLUE 61, CARTERSVILLE 7 No game report. BARTOW BLUE 54, PAULDING COUNTY 5 BARTOW BLUE: Jabari Burleson 10; Jeremy Dent 9; Jorian Bailey, Kaiden Kent 8 each; Jaylon Watkins 7; Tavaris Burleson 4; Christen McClendon, Drew Nida 3 each; Lance Tippett 2 Bartow Blue will play Whitfield County Monday at 6:15 in the GRPA District 5 semifinals. BARTOW WHITE 37, DALTON 12 BARTOW WHITE: Anthony Moreno 21; Theron Cobb 7; KJ Smith 4; Isaiah Moreno 3; Eli Simmons 2 BARTOW WHITE 44, ROME-FLOYD 19 BARTOW WHITE: KJ Smith 12; Isaiah Moreno, Anthony Moreno 10 each; Kameron Hosey 6; Theron Cobb 4; Eli Simmons 2 Bartow White will play Smyrna Monday at 7:45 p.m. in the GRPA District 5 semifinals. 12U Boys at Edwards Park - Whitfield County WHITFIELD 76, BARTOW 29 No game report. WHITFIELD 59, CARTERSVILLE 24 No game report. 14U Boys at Mount Tabor Park - Paulding County SMYRNA 78, CARTERSVILLE 31 No game report. BARTOW 43, ROME-FLOYD 22 No game report. Bartow will play Cobb County Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the GRPA District 5 semifinals. 17U Boys at Mount Tabor Park - Paulding County PAULDING 64, BARTOW 41 Championship Game Youth and adult recreation basketball results presented by Trophy Showroom. All information is provided by the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department, the Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department, and the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association.

The Adairsville girls soccer team sprinted to a 6-0 lead by halftime and defeated Darlington at home Friday night, 9-0. The home-standing Lady Tigers outshot Darlington 29 to 7 while dominating control. Adairsville was also able to get their entire lineup on the pitch during the game. Sadye Johnson, who later added a pair of assists, scored Adairsville’s first goal off a corner kick by Megan Hardin in the fourth minute. Hardin then found the net herself with the assist going to Lillie McBride five minutes later. Taylor Rhoades scored two more goals in the first half. Kaylee Jordan and Gracie Baker also added goals before the intermission. Cat Wheeler assisted on two of those goals and Rhoades assisted on the Jordan tally. Jordan scored twice in the second half to complete a hat trick of three goals for the evening. Her two second half scores sandwiched a second goal by Baker which was off an assist from Giorgia Conduff. Adairsville assistant coach Amanda Jones said the Tigers player of the game was freshman Gracie Baker who scored a pair of goals, showed her versatility, and was able to deliver balls to her teammates. Adairsville (3-0) hosts Southeast Whitfield Tuesday evening.

Jayden Smith tossed six strong innings and Blaine Ingram had three hits as the Cass Colonels won at Sonoraville Friday evening, 4-3. Cass scored single runs in the first and third innings and added two more in the top of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. The host Phoenix scored twice in the bottom of the second and threatened with a run in the seventh but the Colonels were able to hold on. Jordan Gani (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 3K), who earned a save by closing out the final inning on the mound, stranded two Sonoraville baserunners by striking out the side. Smith picked up the win by scattering three walks and one hit in six innings on the mound. He fanned eight. In addition to Ingram’s offensive production, Matt Shook had two hits including a double and walked twice. Gani and Logan Nelson had the other Cass base hits. Smith contributed a sacrifice hit. Ingram and Shook stole two bases each and Matt Ballas swiped a base. Cass (3-1), who handed the Phoenix (2-1) their first loss of the year, plays at Sequoyah Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Woodland trailed in the early innings, but scored eight times over their final four offensive frames to earn a non-region road win at Central-Carroll Friday night, 10-6. Although the Wildcats’ defense struggled with seven miscues, the offense produced at the right times to pull out the victory. Peyton Posey (4 IP, 3R, 1ER, 5H, 1BB, 1K) started on the mound for Woodland and picked up the pitching win. Carter Heath (3 IP, 3R, 0ER, 4H, 1BB, 3K) closed out the final three innings. Central scored the only run of the first inning and led 3-1 after two frames, but the Wildcats scored in each remaining inning except the sixth on their way to their second win of the year. Scotty Smith had a two-hit game with a double and one RBI. Heath, Posey, and Chase Carson contributed one hit and one RBI each. Jackson Rutledge, Jakiyon Porter, and Zach Wilson had the other Woodland base hits. Six walks and five hit batsmen aided the Wildcats’ offense. Woodland also took advantage of the host Lions with their running game. Eight different players stole a base for the Wildcats led by Porter’s three swipes. Woodland (2-2) plays at Wheeler Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Georgia Highlands College baseball swept a doubleheader with Lake Land College Friday played at LakePoint in Emerson. The Chargers blanked the visiting Lakers in both games, 7-0 and 9-0. Pitchers Conner Perry and Griffin Brown combined for the shutout in the opening game. Perry scattered three hits and struck out six. Brown allowed a hit, but closed down the seventh with a scoreless frame. Neither pitcher issued a walk although Perry did hit one batter. The Chargers broke open a scoreless game with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and added a five-spot in the sixth inning as they out-hit the Lakers, ten to four. Gavin Harmon had three hits for the Chargers in the opener including a pair of doubles. Palmer Sapp contributed a pair of hits including a double and two RBI. Omar Daniels doubled and drove in one run. Brandon Prince, Lavoisier Fisher, and Mickey Maguire all had one hit and one RBI while Trace Twardoski added the other GHC base hit. Game 2 of the doubleheader followed a similar scoring pattern to the opener. The Chargers took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, added four more runs in the fifth, and tacked on an insurance run in the sixth inning. Chase Townsend, Mason List, and Twardoski combined on the mound for the second game shutout. Townsend (5.2 IP, 0R, 4H, 1BB, 1K) picked up the win. List (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2K) closed out the sixth and worked into the seventh inning. Twardoski (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 1K) recorded the final two outs. GHC collected eleven hits in Game 2. Daniels (double, four RBI), David Smith (two doubles, one RBI), Harmon (two RBI, stolen base), and Brandon Prince all finished with two hits for Georgia Highlands. Maguire tripled, walked and scored two runs. Bam Thomas had a double and two RBI and Twardoski contributed one hit. Georgia Highlands (13-3) returns to the diamond Sunday at 2 p.m. for a doubleheader at LakePoint against Three Rivers CC (Missouri). The Raiders and Chargers will play Game 3 of their series Monday afternoon at 2 p.m.

The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame (SCFHOF) announces Trevor Lawrence as its 2019 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy recipient.  The trophy is awarded each year to South Carolina’s most outstanding collegiate player at the Hall of Fame’s annual enshrinement celebration.  This year, the award will be presented to Trevor Lawrence on April 2, 2020, at the Hilton Greenville. Lawrence was a high school phenom at Cartersville High School in Georgia, before coming to South Carolina to attend Clemson University in 2018. This past fall, the sophomore followed up an undefeated and National Championship winning freshman campaign with another 14 straight wins and a second consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship game appearance.  The 6’6” quarterback grew into a legitimate dual-threat last season adding 563 rushing yards and nine touchdowns to his 3,665 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns.  This dual-threat production was on full display in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final clash against Ohio State where he amassed 107 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, 259 passing yards, and two passing touchdowns.  This performance earned him Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP honors.  He started his collegiate career with 25 consecutive wins which is the sixth-longest streak by a collegiate quarterback during any point in a career in college football history. His accomplishments on and off the field earned him a first-team All-ACC selection, and a second straight All-ACC Academic selection.  Nationally, he was named a Manning Award finalist, Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist, and Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist. The Blanchard-Rogers Trophy presented by Hale’s Jewelers is handcrafted by local Greenville artist Ryan Calloway of Creative Iron Works. To purchase seats and sponsor information call (864) 312-5828, email foster@scfootballhof.org  or buy your seats online here. The Ceremony will sell out, so follow up today. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @scfootballhof. About “It’s More than football…. It’s …Making A Difference Through Football.”  Honoring the state of South Carolina’s football legends and being a catalyst for youth, workforce, and community development.  We are a 501(c)3 organization.

The Georgia Highlands Chargers struck for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday to beat visiting Cleveland State CC at LakePoint, 8-4. Relief pitcher Ryan Smithson picked up the win on the mound with two spotless innings in the eighth and ninth innings. He did not allow a base runner and struck out two in recording the final six outs for GHC. Jacob Ryan started on the mound for the Chargers and went five innings. Jakob Brown (0.0 IP, 2ER, 2BB), Stevie Szucs (0.1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3BB, 1K), and Hunter Moody (1.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 1K) also took the mound for Georgia Highlands. With the game tied 4-4 heading to the bottom of the eighth, the Chargers took advantage of a pair of walks, three hits, and a sacrifice fly to take control by plating four runs. Palmer Sapp singled home the go-ahead RBI and Mickey Maguire singled home two more later in the frame. Lavoisier Fisher’s sac fly drove in the game’s final run. Georgia Highlands led 4-0 through four innings before Cleveland State tied the game with a four-run sixth inning. David Smith singled home Fisher in the first inning for the Chargers’ early lead. Gavin Harmon doubled and later scored on a wild pitch in the second inning. Maguire then gave GHC a 3-0 lead with an RBI single to score Sapp. The Chargers’ fourth run came in the fourth inning when Maguire singled home Omar Daniels. Daniels had tripled to start the frame. Maguire finished 4-for-5 with four RBI at the top of the Chargers’ lineup. He also stole a base. Harmon finished the day with a pair of doubles. Georgia Highlands (11-3) is scheduled for a doubleheader with Lake Land College (Illinois) Friday starting at 10:30 a.m. The Chargers will also host a doubleheader with Three Rivers College (Missouri) Sunday starting at 2 p.m. All four games will be at LakePoint in Emerson.

The Adairsville girls soccer team outlasted Fannin County in a physical and hard fought contest in Tiger Valley Wednesday night, 1-0. Following a scoreless first half, the Lady Tigers found the net off the foot of junior Taylor Rhoades in the game’s 50th minute. Sophomore Megan Hardin served up the assist. Adairsville controlled most of the action. The Tigers put a dozen shots on goal while the visiting Lady Rebels managed on two shot on net. Adairsville keeper Annie McCormick picked up the victory in goal. Head coach David Sexauer credited juniors Ellie McBride and Sadye Johnson for controlling play in midfield and center back. McBride kept the Fannin attacking strikers in check and Johnson was solid in midfield. The Adairsville girls (2-0) host Darlington Friday evening. COAHULLA CREEK 2, CASS BOYS 1 The Cass boys lost to visiting and Class AAA 4th-ranked Coahulla Creek Wednesday night, 2-1, at Cochran Stadium. The Colts (4-0) led 1-0 at halftime on a goal by Ronaldo Medina. Jaime Mendiola scored the Coahulla Creek second half goal. Saul Barcenas added an assist. Alex Cabanas scored the Cass goal off an assist from Kevin Polo. Cass (2-3) will return to action next Tuesday when the Colonels host Carrollton at 8 p.m.