Woodland softball cruised to a 10-1 victory Wednesday night in a Region 7-AAAAA matchup at Hiram. The Lady Cats rolled up five runs in the top of the first inning to take charge and controlled the contest throughout. Woodland added a single run in the second inning, three more in the third, and another run in the fifth inning to take a 10-0 lead. Taylor Austin accounted for the only Hiram run with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. Sarah Baynard (5 IP, 1ER, 5H, 0BB, 4K) tossed a complete-game for the Lady Cats’ to earn the pitching victory. Bella Carnes paced Woodland with three hits including a triple and one RBI. Kendyl Hardin (photo) stroked a pair of home runs and had four RBI. Caroline Higdon homered and doubled with two RBI. Morgan Bailey contributed two hits. Ansley Evans (2 RBI), Morgan Cooper (double, RBI), and Jordan Duck had the other Wildcats’ hits. Hiram slipped to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in region play. Woodland (11-5, 5-2) maintains third place in the Region 7-AAAAA standings and returns to the diamond Thursday to host Paulding County at 5:55 p.m. Photo by Randy Parker, The Daily Tribune News EAST PAULDING PULLS AWAY LATE TO DEFEAT CASS Cass softball stood toe-to-toe on the road with one of the Region 7-AAAAA leaders Wednesday night, but came up short at East Paulding, 11-7. The Lady Colonels took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third and — after falling behind again — tied the Raiders in the top of the fifth inning, 6-6. Unfortunately for Cass, East Paulding pulled away down the stretch with five runs in their final two frames for a four-run region victory. Both offenses had productive nights. East Paulding out hit Cass 17-11. Lexi Matthews had a four hit game to pace the Raiders. Kylie Manning added three hits, while four more East Paulding hitters had two hits apiece. Kaitlin Walden (4 IP, 4ER, 7H, 3BB, 5K) was the winning pitcher for East Paulding in relief of Maggie O’Kelley (3 IP, 3ER, 4H, 3BB, 5K). Rachael Lee (5 IP, 10R, 9ER, 14H, 1BB, 2K) was tagged with the pitching loss for Cass. Kylee Hembree (1 IP, 1ER, 3H) worked an inning in relief. Kelly Young had three hits for the Lady Colonels. Jaden Musacchio had two hits including a double and three RBI. Hembree added two hits including a double and one RBI. Maggie Collum (double), Haley Owens, and Lee had the other Cass base hits. East Paulding improved to 7-1 in region play and 13-5 overall. Cass (2-10, 2-5) plays at region-leading Carrollton Thursday at 5:55 p.m.

The rankings of Georgia High School Association football teams on a consensus of six polls as compiled by Georgia High School Football Daily. AJC - Atlanta Journal-Constitution/GHSFD GS - Georgia Sports Writers Association GPB - Georgia Public Broadcasting SA - Score Atlanta Max - Maxwell Ratings MP - MaxPreps

Sam Howard, who wrapped up the Triple-A regular season with Albuquerque Monday, was recalled to the MLB Colorado Rockies Tuesday according to Kyle Newman of The Denver Post. Howard, a fifth-year pro, will join the Rockies’ roster for the third time this season. He made his major league debut June 10 at Coors Field with one scoreless inning against Arizona. The Cartersville southpaw, compiled a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 80:34 strikeout-to-walk ration across 96 innings at the Triple-A level. Howard will add some depth to the Colorado bullpen in the final month of the regular season.

Cartersville volleyball won a pair of region matches Tuesday night, defeating Central-Carroll and host Cedartown in straight sets. The Lady Canes defeated Central-Carroll 25-18 and 25-14 to open the evening before sweeping Cedartown 25-20 and 25-8. Nedu Evans had 38 kills, six aces, and 11 digs in the four sets. Grace Hunter contributed 59 assists and seven aces. Rebekah Stevens had 11 kills and seven aces. Anna Mathis totaled 15 digs, and Anna Grace Brock had eight digs against Central. “We started a little flat, but it was to be expected coming off a lengthy break,” said Cartersville coach Dutch Cothran. “We caught a little momentum and controlled the ball better in the second set against Central. Cedartown had a rowdy crowd and our girls responded well to the hostile environment. Nedu (Evans) took control at the net and Bekah (Stevens) took over behind the service line and we were able to finish them off.” Cartersville (8-9, 2-0) travels to North Paulding for non-region matches against the hosts and North Cobb Christian. WOODLAND SPLITS REGION MATCHES Opening region play at Villa Rica Tuesday, the Lady Cats defeated Paulding County but lost to host Villa Rica. Woodland beat Paulding County 25-16 and 25-13. The loss to Villa Rica was 30-28 and 25-12. Macy Vaughn had 13 assists, two kills, two digs, and an ace in the victory over Paulding. She had 10 assists and seven digs in the loss to Villa Rica. Caroline Gore contributed ten kills, six digs, and an ace in the two matches. Noelle Dickey finished the night with seven kills, six digs, and four aces. Emmaline Payne had three kills, seven digs, and an ace against Paulding County and Sydney Molinaro contributed a pair of kills and three blocks in the Villa Rica match. “I felt like we lost focus in the second set against Villa Rica,” said Woodland head coach David Condon. “We simply didn’t handle the pressure of a tight match with a good opponent as well as we can.” Woodland (9-9, 1-1) will host Cherokee and Sprayberry Thursday in non-region matches starting at 5 p.m. CASS DROPS REGION OPENERS Cass volleyball started the region schedule 0-2 Tuesday night with straight set losses to East Paulding and Kell. The Lady Colonels (2-9, 0-2) fell 25-10 and 25-17 to East Paulding before losing to Kell 25-22 and 25-14. Cass will host the Bartow County Championship Tournament Saturday with action slated to begin at 9 a.m. ADAIRSVILLE VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN NON-AREA MATCHES The Lady Tigers remained winless on the season, but continue to make positive strides and improvement according to head coach Kaylie Vaughn Martin. Tuesday evening, Adairsville lost 25-10 and 25-17 to Coosa and 25-13, 25-21 to LaFayette in a pair of non-area matches. The Tigers travel to Sonoraville Thursday to play the host Phoenix and Fannin County.

Cartersville softball lost to a hot-hitting Cedartown team on the road Tuesday night in a Region 5-AAAA tilt. The Lady Canes scored all three of their runs in the first two innings and held a 3-2 lead going to the bottom of the second, but the Lady Bulldogs took the lead for good in the bottom of the frame. Cedartown scored two runs in each of the first three innings, added another run in the fourth, and three more in the sixth in their seven-run victory. Madi Reynolds scattered eight hits and did not walk a batter in collecting the complete-game pitching victory for Cedartown. She recorded one strikeout. Colbi Ballard (6 IP, 10R, 9ER, 11H, 5BB, 7K) took the pitching loss for Cartersville. Tamera Beeman, Alexas Poole, and Madison Wigley combined for seven hits and six RBI for the Bulldogs. Poole hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. AnnaKate McElhaney and Cio Seigler had two hits each for Cartersville. Lauren McElhaney had a hit and two RBI. Presley Edwards and Emery Jenkins added the other Lady Canes’ hits. Cedartown improved to 5-6 on the season and 3-4 in region play. Cartersville (7-8, 3-4) hosts Central-Carroll in another region game Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

The 2018 local youth football season got underway this past Saturday with a pair of Bartow County teams playing their opener at the Old Cass High School (BCCA campus) on Grassdale Road. The two local teams are participating in the Northwest Georgia Youth Football League (NGYFL) against other teams throughout the northwest Georgia region. Bartow County 9U defeated Boynton 40-0, but the Bartow County 12U NGYFL team fell to Summerville, 14-6. BARTOW COUNTY 9U 40, BOYNTON 0 Jakez Baldwin led the way offensively for Bartow with 156 yards passing and two touchdown passes. Baldwin also finished with 25 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Jovani Bautista-Jackson totaled 155 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Nasier Bennett had 90 yards receiving with a touchdown catch and Lance Tippett Jr. added a 55 yard touchdown reception. The Bartow 9U defense was led by Maddox Raughton with a sack and six tackles. William Thomas and Jorain Bailey totaled five tackles each. Deion Winters and Kaiden Kent added four tackles apiece and Chris McClendon had three. Bartow 9U will play Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Ringgold High School. SUMMERVILLE 14, BARTOW COUNTY 12U 6 Bartow County led 6-0 at the intermission, but Summerville posted a pair of second half touchdowns to win both teams’ season opening game, 14-6. Jamarion Pullum finished with 65 yards rushing and 45 yards receiving to pace the Bartow offensive attack. Xavier Darby threw for 85 yards with a 40-yard touchdown connection with Pullum. Caleb Cooley added 65 yards rushing and Kelson Mitchell had 21 yards rushing for the locals. The Bartow 12U defense was led by Ethan Moser with seven tackles. Zach Wallace, Gavin Johnson, and Ethan Brown each had five stops. Bartow County will look to bounce back Saturday night at 6 p.m. when they play at Ringgold. Youth football reports are provided to Bartow Sports Zone by the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department and the Bartow County Recreation Department. Game capsules and results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by McWhorter Capital Partners.

Minor league baseball season wound down to a close this past holiday weekend with former Cartersville High School players Sam Howard and Connor Justus wrapping up their summer schedules. Anthony Seigler's 2018 campaign came to a close two weeks back when he was shut down due to a reported concussion. In collegiate cross country, three former Bartow County athletes made season opening appearances while several local soccer athletes contributed with their college teams. NOTE: The college football update for Bartow County players was published separately this week at this LINK. PRO BASEBALL SAM HOWARD — Albuquerque Isotopes (5th yr. pro; LHP; Triple-A Pacific Coast League; Colorado Rockies' organization; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)... Howard had two starts for the Isotopes in the final eight days of the regular season, going six innings in each outing. In a home game no-decision against Reno on Aug. 27, Howard struck out six while allowing only one earned run on six hits and three walks. Saturday, he allowed only two runs on four hits and did not walk a batter, but he suffered the loss. He fanned four on Saturday. Howard finished the 2018 season with a 3-8 mark and a 5.06 ERA in 22 games (21 starts). His lone non-start was a scoreless, one-inning appearance with the MLB Rockies in June that was also his major league debut. In 21 starts for Albuquerque, he struck out 80 and walked 34 in 96 innings. Opponents hit .285 against him. Albuquerque (63-77) finished last in the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific Southern Division. CONNOR JUSTUS -- Mobile BayBears (3rd yr. pro; SS; Double-A Southern League; L.A. Angels organization; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)... In six games this past week, Justus was 3-for-18 (.167) with a walk and two RBI. He split time this season between the Advanced Class A Inland Empire 66ers and Mobile, playing 77 of his 124 games at the Double-A level. He finished the season with a combined 93 hits in 423 at bats, while slashing .220/.339/.312. He hit six home runs, drove in 47 runs and drew 64 walks. Defensively, Justus has maintained a .978 fielding percentage in 982 1/3 innings and 480 total chances with 22 errors. He has been part of 68 double plays. The BayBears (67-70) finished third overall in the Southern League’s South Division behind playoff qualifiers Biloxi and Pensacola. CROSS COUNTRY SPENCER FIELDS -- Rhodes College (Sr., Kingston, GA; Darlington HS)... placed 17th out of 172 runners in a season-opening meet in Memphis. The senior finished third on his team, helping Rhodes College finish fifth overall in the 18-team event. Fields completed the 4-mile race in 20 minutes, 52.21 seconds. JAISON MORNING -- Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS)... took eighth-place in the VSU Border Clash men's 7.25k on Friday. He paced the Valdosta State team, which finished third overall, and crossed the finish line in 24 minutes, 40 seconds — ahead of 71 others racers. LINDSAY SCIFERS -- University of South Alabama (Fr., Woodland HS)... finished fifth in her first collegiate race. Scifers narrowly missed out on fourth place and barely beat out a teammate for a top-five spot in Saturday's dual with Mobile. Scifers finished the 5k course in 20 minutes, 14 seconds. SOCCER KATELYNN HARBEKE -- Life University (Sr., Cass HS)... assisted on both goals for the Eagles in a 2-0 victory over Bryan (Tennessee) College last Tuesday. Harbeke also had a shot on goal in the win. She also started Life's 1-0 loss Saturday to Truett McConnell and 1-0 win Monday over West Virginia University Institute of Technology. EMILY COLLUM -- Georgia Southwestern University (Fr., Adairsville HS)... started and played 72 minutes in her first collegiate game Saturday. However, Georgia Southwestern suffered a 4-0 loss to Emmanuel College in said game. MARISSA MOWRY -- Anderson University (Fr., Cartersville HS)... saw action in both of Anderson's games last week. She came off the bench to play 20 minutes in her first college game and played 10 minutes in the second game. Both ended in 2-0 losses — the first to Georgia College and the second to North Georgia. ANTHONY ROBLEDO -- Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS)... played in one of Reinhardt's three games to open the season last week. He didn't see the field in a 2-0 win over Martin Methodist (Tennessee) and 0-0 draw against Cumberland (Tennessee). He played 5 minutes, 48 seconds in a 2-0 victory against SCAD-Savannah on Tuesday.

The local high school football region standings and results for the week ending September 1. REGION 6-AAA Last Week's Scores Calhoun 52, Therrell 6 Haralson Co. 35, Armuchee 0 North Murray 44, Model 7 Darlington 20, Sonoraville 0 SE Whitfield 9, Coahulla Creek 6 Friday’s games: Lakeview-FO at Murray Co.; Sonoraville at Calhoun; Coahulla Creek at Adairsville; North Murray at Adairsville REGION 5-AAAA Last Week's Scores Cartersville 55, Luella 3 Sandy Creek 38, Hampton 7 Troup 47, Columbus 14 Mundy’s Mill 24, Central-Carroll 21 Callaway 14, LaGrange 0 Friday’s games: Troup at Harris Co.; Bremen at Cedartown; McNair at Cartersville; LaGrange at Hampton REGION 7-AAAAA Last Week's Scores Carrollton 35, Riverdale 6 Forsyth Central 24, Cass 12 Hiram 30, South Paulding 12 Kell 29, Lassiter 3 North Paulding 31, East Paulding 29 Woodland 55, East Hall 6 Friday’s games: Hiram at Paulding Co.; Rome at Kell; Woodland at Cass; Villa Rica at Carrollton

While a few programs opened their 2018 college football seasons a week earlier, this past week saw most teams across the nation play their season openers. As a result, many of the football 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' hit the gridiron this past weekend with their college teams for their first games of the 2018 campaign. QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (Sr., DB, Woodland HS)… saw action in the Pioneers’ 13-3 loss to visiting North Greenville last Thursday. Tusculum (0-1) plays at Shorter this Saturday. DEANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… started at safety and had one tackle and an interception in the Panthers’ 24-20 home win last Thursday over FCS 5th-ranked Kennesaw State. Applin returned his second quarter pick 12 yards to the KSU 37 yard line. It set up the Panthers’ second touchdown to tie the game 14-14. GSU (1-0) travels to Raleigh, NC to take on North Carolina State this Saturday. CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… started at free safety and finished with five tackles, including one for a three-yard loss as the NCAA D2 25th-ranked Wolves beat visiting Catawba 34-3. Blackston was also credited with one quarterback hurry. UWG (1-0) plays at Limestone this Saturday afternoon. DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Soph., FB, Cartersville HS)… converted from the offensive line to fullback this season, Curtis had an eight yard reception in the Tornados’ 34-13 loss at Davidson. Brevard (0-1) has a week off before hosting Allen University September 15. MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Soph., QB, Adairsville HS)… the Huskies’ starter at quarterback was 14-for-25 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown during NIU’s season opening 33-7 loss Saturday at Iowa. Childers threw one interception and was sacked five times. He rushed ten times for 15 net yards and even caught one pass for five yards. Northern Illinois (0-1) plays its home opener this Saturday against Utah. XAVIOR COAXUM — LaGrange College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… the Panthers’ starter at free safety, Coaxum had seven tackles Saturday in a 34-28 loss at Birmingham Southern. LaGrange (0-1) will entertain visiting Berry College this Saturday night at Callaway Stadium. JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… connected on a pair of first half field goals and made four PAT kicks in his collegiate debut as the 49er’s beat visiting Fordham 34-10. Cruz did miss a 27-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half. His seven kickoffs averaged 60 yards with three touchbacks. UNCC (1-0) will host Appalachian State this Saturday night. JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (Soph., DL, Cartersville HS)… saw action in three quarters of the Blue Raiders’ 35-7 loss Saturday night at Vanderbilt. MTSU (0-1) hosts Tennessee-Martin this Saturday night. MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Soph., TE, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s opening 51-14 victory Saturday night over Louisville in Orlando. Alabama (1-0) hosts Arkansas State this Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. GABE GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (Jr.,P, Cartersville HS)… had six punts for a 38.5 yard average including a long kick of 49 yards and five punts downed inside the 20 yard line as the Rams won Saturday at Western Oregon 24-17. ASU (1-0) travels to Abilene Christian University this Saturday night. HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Soph., OL, Woodland HS)… saw action in the second half of the Skyhawks’ 48-7 loss at Stetson Saturday. Hardin was also on the PAT team for Point’s extra point. PU (0-2) hosts Edward Waters College this Saturday afternoon. KALIN HEATH — University of West Georgia (Jr., RB, Cartersville HS)… in his first action as a member of the NCAA D2 19th-ranked Wolves, Heath, a transfer from UAB who was previously red-shirted at Kansas State, finished with seven yards on four, fourth quarter carries. He picked up eight yards on his first attempt, but later had a two-yard loss in the same series. West Georgia routed Catawba 34-3 to start the season 1-0 and will travel to Limestone University this Saturday. SEAN HOLTON — Davidson College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… recorded two tackles as the Wildcats defeated visiting Brevard College Saturday, 34-13. Davidson (1-0) plays host to Chowan this Saturday night. LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… started at right tackle last Thursday in the Panthers’ 24-20 home win over Kennesaw State. Johnson was part of an offensive unit that gained 315 total yards (128 rushing on 38 attempts / 187 passing on 28 attempts). GSU (1-0) plays this Saturday at N.C. State. EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Soph., LB, Woodland HS)… had three tackles Friday night as the Rams lost to rival Colorado in Denver, 45-13. CSU (0-2) hosts Arkansas this Saturday evening. BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… a starter in the Hawks’ defensive backfield, Kirk was credited with six tackles and a forced fumble in his collegiate debut. Unfortunately, Shorter suffered a 66-9 loss at Samford. The Hawks (0-1) will host Tusculum College this Saturday afternoon at Barron Stadium in Rome. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… sharing time with starter Kelly Bryant, Lawrence finished 9-for-15 or 137 yards and three touchdowns with a long connection of 42 yards as the Tigers blasted Furman 48-7. The true freshman also had three rushes for one net yard in his collegiate debut. His scoring plays included a second quarter, six-yard TD pass to Diondre Overton; a third quarter 15-yard TD pass to Justyn Ross; and a fourth quarter 9-yard TD pass to Braden Galloway. Second-ranked Clemson (1-0) hits the road this Saturday for an inter-conference matchup at Texas A&M. DARIAN POELLNITZ — Miles College (Fr., DL, Cartersville HS)… was credited with one solo tackle Saturday in the Golden Bears’ 37-0 loss at Alabama A&M. Miles (0-1) travels to Livingston, AL Thursday night to face NCAA D2 17th-ranked University of West Alabama. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… started as the 49ers slot receiver and punt returner in a 34-10 opening day win over visiting Fordham. Quattlebaum was targeted only once as a receiver and had a one-yard rush in the game. He also had an 18-yard punt return along with a pair of fair catches and one lost fumble in the return game. Charlotte (1-0) hosts Appalachian State this Saturday night. SEVEN RICHARDS — Jacksonville University (Fr., OL, Cass HS)… saw his first-ever collegiate action in the Dolphins’ season opening 63-14 victory over St. Augustine’s. Jacksonville rushed for 424 yards and passed for another 120 in their win. The Dolphins (1-0) travel north to Macon, GA this Saturday to challenge Mercer. JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (R-Soph., PK, Woodland HS)… missed a 32-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter of last Thursday’s 34-3 win over Catawba. 19th-ranked UWG (1-0) travels to Limestone College this Saturday afternoon. MACLAND SHAY — New Mexico Highlands University (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… saw action in the Cowboys’ 45-31 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win over Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Highlands (1-0) hosts Adams State University this Saturday afternoon in another conference game. HIRAM VELEZ — University of West Florida (R-Sr., WR, Adairsville HS)… saw playing time in the NCAA D2 2nd-ranked Argonauts’ 19-9 win at home over No. 22 Carson-Newman last Thursday. UWF (1-0) travels to Wichita Falls, TX this Saturday night to play 11th-ranked Midwestern State. BRANDON WADE — Ellsworth CC (Soph., DL, Cartersville HS)… had three tackles, including two for loss, but the Panthers lost 17-10 to Highland Community CC Saturday in Iowa Falls, IA. Ellsworth (0-2) hosts Garden City CC next Saturday afternoon. JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Soph., TE, Cartersville resident, Darlington HS)… started at tight end for the FCS 21st-ranked Paladins, but was not targeted in the Furman passing game during a 48-7 loss to 2nd-ranked Clemson. Furman (0-1) plays at FCS 13th-ranked Elon this Saturday.

The Woodland girls cross country team dominated the 20-team field Saturday as they hosted the 12th annual Run at the Rock on the Woodland High School campus. McKenna Trapheagen (19:02) won the 5k race and was followed by teammates Carli Clymer (2nd, 19:55), Angela Cochran (3rd, 20:12), Baylee Evans (4th, 20:17), Rylee Evans (6th, 20:26), and Cheyenne Spinks (8th, 21:10). Erica Boatner (18th, 22:52) rounded out the scoring varsity roster for the Lady Cats. Erica Boatner (20th, 22:52) and Marlee Bowles (22nd, 23:16) gave Woodland eight runners in the top 22. River Ridge ran second in the girls race, followed by third place Kennesaw Mountain. Rome and Paulding County rounded out the top five teams. The Cartersville girls finished 11th and Cass was 19th. Genry Apor (22:16) ran 13th overall and led the Lady Canes. Trista Kelly (59th, 25:07), Vanna Beach (60th, 25:08), Jocelyn Blanchette (92nd, 26:22), Bella Spencer (99th, 27:04), Trinity Atkins (124th, 29:20), Naomi Wade (131st, 30:10), and Caroline Fahey (144th, 31:38) rounded out the Cartersville varsity runners. For Cass, Olivia Flynn ran 58th overall in 25:02. Morgan Tompkins (129th, 30:06), McKinzie Tompkins (153rd, 34:27), Stassija Banks (164th, 37:56), and Jordan Danna (165th, 38:48) competed for the Lady Colonels. The Cartersville boys cross country team finished third and Woodland was fifth Saturday in the 22-team field of the Woodland High School Run at the Rock. Kennesaw Mountain won the meet narrowly over North Cobb. Alex Dyck (16:32) of Wheeler won the boys’ race while his teammate Daniel Reis (17:01) was runner-up. Cartersville was led by Max Florence (16th, 17:53). He was followed by Bill Archer (19th, 18:00), Alex Rios (24th, 18:23), Parker Breedlove (29th, 18:34), Colin McCann (37th, 18:48), Clay Ross (59th, 19:33), Matthew Wilson (60th, 19:34), Banks Wilson (67th, 19:39), Levi Booth (69th, 19:41), and Zac Seijo (111th, 20:49) in the 193-runner field. Woodland had three runners in the top twenty-one finishers. Austin Parker was the top finishers for the Wildcats in 17:58 at 17th place. He was followed by John Shropshire (18th, 17:58), Dylan Stermer (21st, 18:09), Reece Mitchell (47th, 19:10), John Forsyth (48th, 19:13), Kobe Cochran (54th, 19:28), Patrick Bollwerk (63rd, 19:35), Ian Van Order (64th, 19:37), McKinley Chappell (68th, 19:40), Pierre Brunet (82nd, 20:03), and Gabe Shephard (192nd, 26:05). Prem Patel (76th, 19:55) led the Cass individual runners. Bryce Kresho (110th, 20:47), Logan Van Stinj (167th, 23:18), and Craigory Chatman (171st, 23:30) also competed for the Colonels. Next for Woodland and Cartersville is the Carrollton Orthopedic Invitational Saturday at Carrollton High School. -- results provided by Georgia Milesplit

Woodland softball captured the 2018 Bartow County Softball Championship Tournament Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Crossing Park with an 11-3, five-inning defeat of Cartersville in the title game. Caroline Higdon (photo right) paced the Lady Cats at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance that included a first inning, two-run home run and five RBI. Sarah Baynard (5 IP, 3R, 0ER, 6H, 2BB, 1K) went the distance in the circle for Woodland to earn the pitching victory. Woodland, who topped Adairsville in Friday’s semifinals, opened with three runs in the first inning and four more in the second to take an early 7-0 lead. Cartersville narrowed the margin to 7-3 in the top of the third inning, but the Lady Cats scored four more times in the next two frames for the eight-run win. Cio Seigler finished with two hits for the Lady Canes. Hope Short had a double and one RBI. Presley Edwards contributed a hit and two RBI. AnnaKate McElhaney and Lauren McElhaney added one hit apiece for Cartersville. Jordan Duck had two hits for Woodland. Morgan Cooper (double), Hannah Miller (double), Allyssa Motes (2 RBI), Kendyl Hardin (RBI), and Ansley Evans contributed the other Lady Cats’ hits. With the loss, Cartersville is now 7-7 overall. The Lady Canes (3-3 in Region 5-AAAA) play at Cedartown Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and will host Central-Carroll Thursday. Both games are league contests. Woodland (10-5, 4-2) returns to Region 7-AAAAA action Wednesday at 5:55 p.m. at Hiram and will host Paulding County Thursday. Photo courtesy TC Pics Photography. ADAIRSVILLE 9, CASS 4 Adairsville and Cass softball traded the lead Saturday in the third place game of the 2018 Bartow County Championship Tournament, but it was the Lady Tigers who ultimately pulled away for a 9-4 win at Hamilton Crossing Park. Adairsville led 3-1 through two innings before the Lady Colonels struck for three runs in the third to take a temporary 4-3 lead. The Lady Tigers responded with four runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth for their five-run win. Natalie Burrow (3 IP, 4ER, 5H, 2K) and Victoria O’Neal (4 IP, 0R, 3H, 7K) split the pitching duties for the Tigers with Burrow picking up the victory. Cass also utilized a pair of hurlers, Rachael Lee (3 IP, 7R, 3ER, 7H, 5BB, 1K) and Kylee Hembree (3 IP, 2ER, 5H, 2K). Sadye Johnson paced Adairsville with three hits including a double and two RBI. Bree Wilson added two hits including a third inning, two-run home run. Taylor Rhoades also had two hits including a double and one RBI. Havyn Isaac, Sierra Tanner (triple), and Burrow contributed one hit and one RBI each. Chloe Souders and O’Neal also finished with one of the Tigers twelve hits. Saydee Najarro posted two hits and two RBI for Cass. Brylie Sanford also had a pair of hits. Haley Smith contributed a double and two RBI for the Colonels. Kaila Carson, Hollie Elrod, and Lee added one hit apiece. Adairsville, who won the Bartow tournament last season, improved to 3-14 with the victory and will return to Region 6-AAA action Thursday at Sonoraville. Cass (2-10, 2-4) has road games in Region 7-AAAAA Wednesday at 5:55 p.m. at East Paulding and Thursday at Carrollton.

The four local fast pitch softball programs battled in a pair of semifinal games Friday night at Hamilton Crossing Park as the 2018 Bartow County Championship Tournament got underway. Cartersville blanked Cass 8-0 in the early matchup and Woodland topped Adairsville 6-1 in the nightcap. CARTERSVILLE 8, CASS 0 Colbi Ballard tossed a five-inning, complete-game, one-hitter Friday night as Cartersville blanked Cass 8-0 in a semifinal game of the Bartow County Championship Tournament at Hamilton Crossing Park. Ballard fanned nine and walked only two. The lone Cass hit was a fourth inning single by Eryn Lee. Meanwhile, the Lady Canes scored in each inning as they totaled nine hits and took advantage of five Cass errors. Lauren McElhaney had three hits and scored twice to pace Cartersville. Cio Seigler, Hope Short, AnnaKate McElhaney (RBI), Ballard (RBI), Presley Edwards (RBI), and Emma Frothingham (RBI) contributed one hit apiece. Kylee Hembree (2 IP, 5R, 2ER, 7H, 2BB, 1K) was saddled with the Cass pitching loss. Rachael Lee (2.1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) pitched in relief. Cass (2-9) will face Adairsville Saturday at 11 a.m. in a consolation game. Cartersville (7-6) will play Woodland in Saturday’s championship game at 1 p.m.. Both games will be played at Woodland High School. WOODLAND 6, ADAIRSVILLE 1 Woodland broke on top Friday night with two first inning runs on their way to a 6-1 victory over Adairsville in a semifinal game of the Bartow County Softball Championship Tournament played at Hamilton Crossing Park. Adairsville answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning, but would not manage another run. Woodland went ahead 4-1 in the fourth inning and added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Lady Cats out hit Adairsville 10 to six. Sarah Baynard (7 IP, 1ER, 6H, 1BB, 3K) collected the pitching win for Woodland with a complete-game effort. Victoria O’Neal (6 IP, 5R, 3ER, 9H, 1BB, 6K) took the pitching loss for Adairsville. Taylor Rhoades (1 IP, 1ER, 1H) also worked an inning in the circle. Sadye Johnson, Natalie Burrow, and Breeana Wilson had two hits each for the Tigers. Bella Carnes led Woodland with three hits including a double and three RBI. Ansley Evans and Morgan Cooper contributed a pair of hits each. Jordan Duck, Hannah Miller, and Kendyl Hardin had the other Lady Cats’ hits. Adairsville (2-14) will face Cass Saturday in a consolation game at Woodland High School at 11 a.m. Woodland (9-5) will host Cartersville for the 2018 Bartow County Championship Tournament title at 1 p.m.