Cartersville natives Sam Howard and Connor Justus continue to contribute with the major league Colorado Rockies and L.A. Angels during Spring Training games this past week. Meanwhile, former Cass wrestler Hunter Quinn won the NCWA National Championship in the 157-pound division. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (5th yr. pro; Georgia Southern Univ.; Cartersville HS)… pitched the sixth and seventh innings of last Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. Howard faced seven batters, allowed one hit, struck out two and recorded his first hold. Howard is now 1-0 this Spring with the major league Rockies. He has a 3.00 ERA in six innings pitched. He has walked three and fanned eight. Opposing batters are hitting .118 against him with a WHIP of 0.70. Colorado has a 6-9 record (excluding ties) through Sunday’s games in the Cactus League. CONNOR JUSTUS — Los Angeles Angels (3rd year pro; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… entered last Friday’s game at shortstop and had one at bat in a 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He entered as a pinch runner, played shortstop and had one at bat last Tuesday in a 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks and came off the bench with one at bat in a 7-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds last Monday (March 5). Justus is 1-for-7 (.143 BA) with the major league club this Spring in six game appearances. Defensively, he has been perfect in 11 total chances across 21.1 innings — all at shortstop. The Angels are 7-11 in Cactus League play this Spring. COLLEGE BASEBALL BRANDON ALLEN — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF, Woodland HS)… started in left field, but went 0-for-2 in Wednesday’s home win over ABAC. The Chargers (17-7, 3-2 GCAA) were 3-1 for the week and play a four-game conference series this week with West Georgia Tech at Carrollton Tuesday and at LakePoint Friday and Saturday. BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (Fr., 1B/DH, Cass HS)… came off the bench with a pinch hit RBI in Friday’s win at Augusta University and started at DH in Saturday’s loss to the Jaguars. YHC (10-11) won two of three games at Augusta to even their Peach Belt Conference record at 6-6. The Mountain Lions host Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday prior to traveling to Francis Marion University for a three-game conference set Friday through Sunday. NOAH DANIEL — Reinhardt University (Fr., OF, Cartersville HS)… got a start in the outfield last Tuesday, but was 0-for-3 at the plate in a 9-6 home loss to Madonna (MI) University. He did record a putout in his only defensive chance. The Eagles (18-5, 6-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) were 4-1 for the week including a home conference sweep of Montreat College (NC). RU plays at Middle Georgia State Wednesday and will travel to Tennessee Wesleyan University Friday to begin a three-game AAC series that includes a Saturday doubleheader. BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (Sr., OF/P, Cass HS)… went 1-for-6 with a walk in a home doubleheader loss last Wednesday with Saginaw Valley State University. He also took the mound for the second time this season in the second game loss. Etheridge faced 14 batters, allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks, and struck out three. In a three-game home weekend Conference Carolinas series with Emmanuel College, he was 3-for-9 including a solo homer and a double for two RBI. He scored three runs and walked three times in the series lifting his season batting average to .268 in 23 starts and 71 at bats. The Saints were 1-4 for the week salvaging the final game of the series with Emmanuel on Saturday. Limestone (11-12, 3-3) plays a non-conference game at Mars Hill University Tuesday before hosting Belmont Abbey College Friday and Saturday in a three-game conference series. CODY JOHNSON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., RHP, Cass HS)… entered in the seventh inning and closed out a Chargers’ 14-1 win Wednesday over ABAC at LakePoint. Johnson (1-0) has now appeared in six games and has a 1.23 ERA in 7.1 innings with nine strikeouts. Georgia Highlands (17-7, 3-2 GCAA) plays at West Georgia Tech Tuesday and will complete the four-game conference series with the Golden Knights with a single game Friday and doubleheader on Saturday. SEAN McDERMOTT — Mercer University (Jr., 1B/DH, Adairsville HS)… entered to play first base in the seventh inning of a 12-3 loss at Kansas State Saturday afternoon. He popped up to short in his only plate appearance. He had a ninth inning pinch hit appearance Sunday at Kansas State and popped up to second in a 13-6 loss. Mercer (12-5) hosts Georgia Southern Wednesday and Eastern Kentucky Friday through Sunday in a three-game series. HARRISON OSBORN — Point University (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… improved to 3-0 as a starter last Wednesday as the Skyhawks defeated Talladega (AL) College 5-3 in a mid-week, non-conference tilt. Osborn went eight innings and scattered six hits and a walk for three, unearned runs and five strikeouts. In five appearances, Osborn now has a 3.18 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched. Point was 3-2 for the week including two conference wins over St. Andrews University (NC). The Skyhawks (15-7, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travel to Barbourville, KY for a three-game conference series Friday and Saturday with Union College. SAM SEAMAN — Gordon State CC (Fr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… saw action as DH last Thursday in a 13-0 win over Emmanuel College JV. Seaman scored a run and drove in a run with a walk in the game. The Highlanders (15-10, 1-0 GCAA) play a four-game series this week with ABAC. The teams play in Tifton Tuesday and Gordon State will host in Barnesville Thursday and Saturday with a doubleheader. TRISTIN SMITH — Young Harris College (R-Jr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… flied out to centerfield in a ninth inning pinch hit appearance Saturday at Augusta University during a 12-4 loss. YHC (10-11) won two of three games at Augusta to even their Peach Belt Conference record at 6-6. The Mountain Lions host Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday prior to traveling to Francis Marion University for a three-game conference series Friday through Sunday. TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Sr., OF, Adairsville HS)… started all three games of the Mountain Lions’ Peach Belt Conference series at Augusta University Friday and Saturday where YHC won two of three. Washington was 2-for-10 in the series with a walk and a double. Both hits came in the middle game of the series. Young Harris (10-11, 6-6) entertains Lenoir-Rhyne University in a non-conference game Wednesday before traveling to Florence, SC for a three-game PBC series at Francis Marion University Friday through Sunday. BASKETBALL RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Jr., G, Cartersville)… Francis Marion saw its season come to an end in a heartbreaking 75-72 loss to UNC Pembroke in the first round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional on Saturday. Davis scored 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the defeat. He added five rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block in 30 minutes. A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… Mosby’s collegiate career came to a close in the first round of the SWAC Tournament last Tuesday when seventh-seeded Alcorn State fell to No. 2 seed Prairie View A&M. Mosby finished the night with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. He shot right at his ridiculous season averages, hitting 50 percent of his shots from the field (5 for 10) and 40 percent from deep (2 for 5). ELIJAH ROBINSON — Emmanuel College (Sr., F, Excel Christian Acad.)… Robinson becomes the lone former Bartow County hooper still competing on the hardwood this season thanks in large part to his phenomenal performances this past week. In his two games this week, Robinson had 21 and 32 points, respectively. He shot a combined 13-of-19 from the floor, 3-of-4 from 3 and 24-of-25 from the foul line. He had eight rebounds in each game, while adding 12 total assists (against just one turnover), four blocks and one steal. Emmanuel College won games over Piedmont International and Warner to earn a No. 2 seed in the National Christian College Athletic Association national championship tournament. The Lions will face seventh-seeded College of the Ozarks in the first round at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. GOLF MAGGIE ASHMORE — Augusta University (Jr., Kingston, GA, Heritage Golf Acad.)… After a top-five finish in her previous tournament, Ashmore placed tied for 75th in the 95-player field at the Wildcat Invitational. As a team, Augusta tied with Denver for seventh in the 17-team event. Augusta will host the 3M Augusta Invitational this Friday through Sunday at Forest Hills Golf Club. This year's field includes Augusta, Central Arkansas, Columbia, Daytona State, Eastern Michigan, ETSU, Georgia, JMU, Memphis, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, Purdue, Southern Mississippi, Troy, and Virginia Tech. HANNAH MAE DEEMS — Mercer University (Sr., Taylorsville, GA, Darlington HS)… Deems finished in a five-way tie for 47th in the Hurricane Invitational. The Bears placed ninth out of 13 teams at the event in Coral Gables, Florida. The Bears will play in the 3M Augusta Invitational this weekend. SOFTBALL SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF, Cass HS)… Gani only had three hits in 11 at bats over GHC's four games this past week, but she made her hits count. Her three-run triple essentially beat ABAC all on its own in a 3-1 win to open a 4-0 week. She had another triple, three sacrifices and three more RBIs over the final three games of the week. GHC (18-11, 6-2 GCAA) has road doubleheaders this weekend at East Georgia State CC Saturday and at South Georgia State CC Sunday. CASSIDY HOWREN — Reinhardt University (Sr., C, Adairsville HS)… Howren had five hits, two walks and two runs scored over the past week, but her team dropped all seven games in which she saw action. Reinhardt (12-12, 2-0 AAC) did manage to win four other games during the week, finishing 4-1 in the NFCA Classic. The Eagles host Point University Tuesday and Saint Ambrose University (IA) Thursday before traveling to Milligan College (TN) Saturday and Union College (KY) Sunday. SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Jr., C, Woodland HS)… Hodorff picked up four hits, drew four walks, scored twice and drove in a run over six games this past week. After a rough start to the season, LaGrange (7-13, 5-1) bounced back to win five of those six contests. The Panthers play at Maryville College (TN) Tuesday and travel to Macon to face Wesleyan Friday. BRITTANY HUTH — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., UT, Cartersville HS)… Huth made four appearances as a pinch runner during the Chargers' perfect week. GHC (18-11, 6-2 GCAA) has road doubleheaders this weekend at East Georgia State CC Saturday and at South Georgia State CC Sunday. KAILAH RAIN — Embry Riddle University (Sr., OF, Cartersville HS)… Rain went 7-for-18 over five games, as Embry-Riddle went 2-3 during the week. Along with seven hits, which included a double and a triple, she drove in five runs and scored twice. She also stole another base to stay perfect on the season at 8-for-8. Rain has a .354 batting average and 17 RBI through 23 starts. ERU (17-6, 9-3 Sunshine State Athletic Conference) hosts USC-Aiken Tuesday and entertains Florida Southern University Friday and Saturday in a three-game conference series. BAILEY ROBINSON — West Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Adairsville HS)… Robinson saw her first action of the season this past week, appearing in all four games (all losses) for West Georgia Tech. She went 1-for-1 with a run in her first appearance, but she went 0-for-5 over the final three games. WGTCC (3-11, 0-6 GCAA) play at LaGrange College Thursday, at South Georgia State CC Saturday, and host East Georgia State CC Sunday. ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)… Yantis went 1-1 over four appearances (two starts) during the previous week. She pitched a complete-game, five-inning shutout against Alabama State to pick up a win. She took the loss in a 4-1 defeat against Fordham, while also making uneven performances out of the bullpen against Fort Wayne and Boston College. The Bulldogs (5-20) host Mississippi State Tuesday and will face Belmont, Tennessee State, Rhode Island, and St. Bonaventure this weekend in Nashville at the Belmont Invitational. TENNIS PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Jr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Acad.)… Gollhofer spent the past week playing along Interstate 75, as Ball State visited Georgia during Spring Break. The Cardinals won by identical 6-1 scores over Kennesaw State (Tuesday) and Mercer (Wednesday). Gollhofer won a thrilling singles match against the Owls, 6-3, 5-7, 10-4. She and Lilya Hadab won both of their doubles matches during the week — 6-3 over KSU and 7-5 over Mercer. Gollhofer dropped her singles match against Mercer by a 6-3, 6-2 score. BSU (7-4) plays at University of Dayton Friday afternoon. WRESTLING HUNTER QUINN — Emmanuel College (Soph., Cass HS)… Quinn claimed the national championship for the 157-pound division in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships this past weekend in Allen, Texas. The tournament's No. 2 seed, Quinn cruised through the first four rounds of the 64-grappler bracket. He earned a tough 5-3 decision in the semifinals. He followed that up with an 8-3 decision over top-seeded Chad Simmons of The Apprentice School in the finals. TRACK AND FIELD Trevor Knowles -- Albion College (Fr., Woodland HS)... Knowles and his 4x400 relay teammates finished second at the Southern Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama. Samantha Patterson -- Jacksonville State University (Sr., Woodland HS)... Patterson placed second in the pole vault, clearing 3.35 meters, in the Red Division as part of the JSU Gamecock Quad Invite. Blake Perry -- Jacksonville State University (Sr., Cartersville HS)... Perry had two top-three finishes during the Red Division portion of the JSU Gamecock Quad Invite. She took second in the triple jump, leaping 11.40 meters, and third in the 100-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 15.14 seconds. NOTE: Research compiled by Charles Wilson, Bartow Sports Zone; Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News; and Jason Greenberg, The Daily Tribune News

Final 2017-18 GHSA Boys Basketball rankings from SandysSpiel.com. Class AAAAAAA Meadowcreek (26-6) Norcross (28-4) Newton (27-4) Grayson (22-7) McEachern (26-3) Pebblebrook (26-3) Mountain View (22-6) Peachtree Ridge (24-5) Wheeler (18-11) Etowah (24-3) Class AAAAAA Langston Hughes (27-5) Gainesville (24-7) Jonesboro (23-9) Coffee (20-8) Tri-Cities (21-10) Heritage-Conyers (17-9) Brunswick (25-4) Douglas County (22-7) North Atlanta (21-10) Bradwell Institute (20-8) Class AAAAA Warner Robins (28-3) Miller Grove (23-8) Buford (24-5) Clarke Central (25-7) Lithonia (23-7) Hiram (23-10) Stockbridge (24-7) Eagle’s Landing (22-7) Starr’s Mill (21-8) Maynard Jackson (25-3) Class AAAA Upson-Lee (31-0) St. Pius X (28-4) Sandy Creek (25-6) Baldwin (24-7) Carver-Columbus (22-9) Americus-Sumter (25-4) Salem (21-7) Cartersville (21-7) Burke County (15-9) Westover (22-7) Class AAA Greater Atlanta Christian (28-3) Jenkins (25-6) Morgan County (29-2) Westside-Macon (21-11) Johnson-Savannah (26-3) Cedar Grove (23-7) Central-Macon (23-6) Hart County (17-13) Cook (19-10) Pace Academy (17-12) Class AA Thomasville (28-3) Vidalia (23-9) Glenn Hills (27-3) Laney (28-4) Therrell (20-8) Swainsboro (20-7) Dublin (23-4) South Atlanta (25-5) Jeff Davis (22-8) Elbert County (23-5) Class A-Private Aquinas (27-5) St. Francis (27-4) Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (27-4) Holy Innocents’ (17-10) Christian Heritage (27-3) North Cobb Christian (23-6) Greenforest (16-12) Stratford Academy (19-8) Mt. Vernon Presbyterian (18-11) Lakeview Academy (21-8) Class A-Public Wilkinson County (26-6) Montgomery County (27-3) Calhoun County (28-3) Central-Talbotton (23-4) Manchester (21-7) Woodville-Tompkins (25-4) Lanier County (25-4) Macon County (20-6) Georgia Military College (24-4) Terrell County (20-10)

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes retained their No. 2 ranking in Class AAAA in the March 10 release by the Georgia Dugout Club. Adairsville received consideration in Class AAA. Georgia Dugout Club Baseball Poll (for week ending March 10, 2018) CLASS 7A Parkview (10-3) North Gwinnett (8-4) Brookwood (10-4) Walton (8-3) Mill Creek (9-3) North Forsyth (11-1) Woodstock (12-1) Hillgrove (7-4) Milton (8-3) North Paulding (6-4) Considered: Peachtree Ridge (10-2), Newnan (10-4), South Forsyth (7-4), Colquitt County (7-5), Lowndes (9-5), Mountain View (8-2), East Coweta (9-4), Lassiter (6-7) CLASS 6A River Ridge (10-2) Lee County (10-4) Glynn Academy (12-0) Pope (9-4) Allatoona (8-4) Valdosta (11-0) Winder-Barrow (6-6) Richmond Hill (10-2) Houston County (10-2) Brunswick (11-3) Considered: Northgate (10-2), Greenbrier (9-3), Harrison (6-6), Gainesville (6-5), Dalton (6-4), Dacula (9-4), Alexander (8-5), Apalachee (9-1), Heritage-Conyers (8-5), Grovetown (5-4), South Paulding (8-6), Creekview (6-5), Habersham Central (7-3) CLASS 5A Loganville (8-4) Wayne County (8-3) Carrollton (10-3) Veterans (9-3) Buford (7-8) Ola (9-3) Starr’s Mill (7-5) Locust Grove (7-3) Harris County (9-3) Union Grove (10-3) Considered: McIntosh (9-3), Decatur (7-4), Villa Rica (7-6), Walnut Grove (6-6), Rome (4-5), Jones County (7-6), Arabia Mountain (6-3), Ware County (6-7), South Effingham (5-6) CLASS 4A Blessed Trinity (12-1) Cartersville (10-5) Troup (8-4) Heritage-Catoosa (6-5) Stephens County (13-1) Columbus (8-2) Madison County (7-3) North Oconee (9-2-1) Jefferson (6-3) Woodward Academy (5-3) Considered: St. Pius X (9-3), Eastside (10-1), Northwest Whitfield (5-7), Chestatee (8-3) Perry (7-4), West Laurens (6-4), Mary Persons (9-3), West Hall (8-4), Burke County (7-3), Pickens (7-4), Upson-Lee (5-3), Cross Creek (5-1) CLASS 3A Redan (9-3) Ringgold (8-4) Lovett (6-3) Calhoun (6-2) Appling County (3-8) Jackson (10-0) North Hall (8-3) Cook (10-5) Fannin County (7-4) East Hall (5-5) Considered: Morgan County (6-6), Greater Atlanta Christian (5-5), Pike County (6-5), Pace Academy (6-4), Pierce County (3-8), Westminster (3-5), Franklin County (6-5), Adairsville (7-3), Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe (7-2), Worth County (7-3), SE Bulloch (6-3), Sonoraville (4-3), Dawson County (5-6) CLASS 2A Thomasville (10-3) Jeff Davis (7-5) Rockmart (6-5) Benedictine (10-4) Callaway (8-4) Westside-Augusta (10-3) Dodge County (7-2) Social Circle (8-4) Bryan County (15-2) Berrien (4-5) Considered: Harlem (7-6), Bacon Co. (7-7), Washington Co. (8-3), Elbert Co. (7-5), Dade Co. (5-4), Fitzgerald (3-6), Lamar Co. (8-2), Screven Co. (5-6), Oglethorpe Co. (6-4), East Laurens (6-4), Bleckley Co. (2-7) CLASS 1A PUBLIC Charlton Co. (9-2) Gordon Lee (6-2) Irwin Co. (9-2) Schley Co. (7-1) Taylor Co. (6-3) Telfair Co. (6-3) Johnson Co. (9-2) Bowdon (9-4) Trion (2-2) Baconton Charter (6-1) Considered: Commerce (7-1), ECI (6-4), GMC (6-4), Clinch Co. (7-5), Washington-Wilkes (8-3), Seminole Co. (8-4), Miller Co. (5-6), Lanier Co. (3-2), Mt. Zion-Carroll (5-2), Wilcox Co. (6-3), Jenkins Co. (6-3), Pelham (5-5) CLASS 1A PRIVATE Mt. Paran Christian (9-0) Tattnall Square (11-2) Savannah Christian (10-2) First Presbyterian Day (13-2) Calvary Day (9-0) Mt. Vernon Presbyterian (6-0) Holy Innocents’ (5-6) Kings Ridge Christian (6-4) Prince Avenue Christian (7-4) Wesleyan (9-1) Considered: Aquinas (9-1), North Cobb Christian (9-1), Fellowship Christian (10-1), Brookstone (12-2), Strong Rock Christian (9-3), Providence Christian (6-6), George Walton (7-6), Pinecrest Academy (7-6), Whitefield Academy (5-5), Walker (5-7), Stratford Academy (7-4)

The Woodland baseball team built an 8-0 lead through five innings Saturday at home and then held off a late charge by Sonoraville for an 8-6 non-region win. Ben Ammons earned the pitching victory for the Wildcats with another outstanding start. Bryce Evans retired the final three outs as Woodland survived the Sonoraville threat. Chase Kirby had three hits including two doubles for the Phoenix and Tyler Lyles hit a solo homer in the sixth for Sonoraville’s first run. Ammons finished with a hit and three RBI for the Wildcats. Dylan Webb had two hits and two RBI. Toby Queen and Jordan Lee (RBI) both had a pair of hits including a double. Koby Stansel (RBI), Marco Haro, and Titus Jones had hits. Bailey Ward added one RBI. The loss dropped the Phoenix to a 4-3 record. Woodland (7-6) hosts Pickens Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. in a non-region contest before starting Region 7-AAAAA play Friday at home against Cass.

The Georgia Highlands College baseball team split a doubleheader Saturday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to take three of four GCAA conference games this week with the Stallions. GHC won 14-1 Wednesday at LakePoint and followed that with an 11-4 win Friday heading into Saturday's two games. ABAC rallied for three runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to come-from-behind in Saturday’s opener 6-5, but Georgia Highlands bounced back to take an extra inning win in the second game 4-2 with two runs in the top of the eighth. Georgia Highlands led 5-0 in the first game before ABAC rallied for six runs over the final two innings. Matt White’s walk-off, two-RBI double lifted the Stallions to their lone win in the series. Nick Piccapietra reached on an error by the Stallions’ center fielder in the top of the eighth and Zach Miller and Cameron Hearn scored on the play for the Chargers’ winning runs in Game 2. Noah Bryant (0.2 IP, 3ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) was tagged with the pitching loss in Game 1 for GHC. Starter Drew Wilson (6 IP, 3ER, 5H, 2BB, 5K) was lifted after six solid innings of work with no decision. Travis Kuebler (2.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 3K) picked up the pitching win for the Chargers in the second game in relief of starter Tyler Sellers (5.1 IP, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 5BB, 10K). White and Joel Ellis combined for a homer, three hits, and five RBI in ABAC’s win. Hearn was 3-for-7, scored two runs, and stole a base in the doubleheader for the Chargers. Picapietra was 2-for-6 including a double, scored twice, drove in a run with a sac fly, and stole a base. Miller, Willis Kemp, Skylar McPhee, and Austin Foster all had two hits on the day for GHC. ABAC is now 13-14 overall and 2-3 in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play. Georgia Highlands (17-7, 3-2) has a four-game conference series with West Georgia Tech starting Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Carrollton followed by a single game Friday and a doubleheader next Saturday at LakePoint.

The Cartersville baseball team lost the third place game of the 2018 Perfect Game High School Showdown to Class 7A 2nd-ranked Parkview 3-1 Saturday afternoon at LakePoint in Emerson. Cartersville, fresh off an 11-inning loss to Providence School (Jacksonville, FL) in the 16-team tournament semifinals, received strong pitching again in their loss. In fact, the Class 4A second-ranked Hurricanes out-hit the Panthers six to two. Parkview took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning without benefit of a hit. Logan Cerny was hit by a pitch and moved all the way to third after another walk and a double steal. One more base on balls loaded the bags and Cerny swiped home for the game’s first run. The Canes tied the game 1-1 in the top of the fifth. Jordan Wilkie started the inning with a line drive single and Anthony Seigler tripled him home with one out. Two walks eventually loaded the bases, but the Hurricanes were unable to produce another run. The Panthers regained the lead later in the inning. Jon Ponder walked and reached third on a pair of wild pitches before Michael Bryant singled him home. Bryant then stole second before taking third and home on two more wild pitches for a 3-1 advantage. Parkview produced another single and a walk in the inning, but did no more damage on the scoreboard. Xander Stephens (5 IP, 1ER, 5H, 3BB, 9K) was the pitching winner for Parkview. Jarrett Embry (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB) earned a save for the Panthers. Curtis Wilkes (0.2 IP, 2ER, 1H, 2BB, 1K) was tagged with the pitching loss for the Hurricanes. Cohen Wilbanks (3 IP, 1ER, 0H, 2BB, 1K) started the game on the mound. Gage Morris (1 IP, 0R, 1BB, 1K) entered in the fourth inning and Luke Schiltz (1.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 2K) worked the sixth after retiring the final out of the fifth inning. Bryant and Robert Bennett had the Panthers only hits. Seigler’s triple produced the only run for the Purple Hurricanes but Ian Inaba had two hits, Jake Gooch doubled in the second inning while Wilkie and Josh Davis had singles in the game. Parkview finished third in the tournament and improved their season mark to 11-3. Cartersville (10-5) now turns its attention to Region 5-AAAA play. The Canes are scheduled to travel to Sandy Creek Thursday at 5:55 p.m. and will host Chapel Hill Friday at Richard Bell Field. In the tournament championship game, Blessed Trinity (12-1, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A) defeated Providence (FL) 11-8.

Cartersville baseball and the Providence School out of Jacksonville, Florida went toe-to-toe for 11 innings Saturday before the Stallions pulled out a 7-4 tournament semifinal win in the Perfect Game High School Showdown at LakePoint in Emerson. Cartersville, ranked No. 2 in Georgia’s Class 4A, held a 1-0 lead after one inning, but had to battle from behind to send the game into extra innings at 4-4 with a single run in sixth and two more in the seventh inning. From there, both teams went scoreless in the eighth, ninth, and tenth innings before Providence took advantage of a leadoff walk, a pop fly error, and a two-run single by Tyler Calihan to go up 6-4. Nathaniel Hickey followed with another line drive hit that drove in the Stallions’ final run. Jake Gooch reached on an error to start the Hurricanes’ half of the 11th inning, but they did no further damage. Providence (7-0) scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead and led 4-2 prior to the Canes’ two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh. The Stallions used five pitchers with Ben Weeks (2.2 IP, 0R, 3H, 0BB, 1K) entering in the ninth to complete the game and pick up the win. Jake Gooch (5 IP, 4R, 0ER, 3H, 3BB, 3K) suffered the pitching loss for the Canes. He took the mound in the seventh inning and was the fourth Cartersville pitcher employed. Levi Ayers (4 IP, 1ER, 2H, 4BB, 2K) started the game. Gage Morris (1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB) and Cohen Wilbanks (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB) both pitched in middle relief. Nathan Hickey led the Providence offense with a 3-for-5 performance that included a walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. Carson Black had two hits and three RBI. Tyler Johnson also had two hits for the Stallions. Anthony Seigler led Cartersville with three hits. Gooch finished with two hits including a double, a walk, and two RBI. Devin Warner and Jordan Wilkie both added two hits and one RBI. Ian Inaba, Josh Davis, and Chandler Tromza each contributed one hit. The win advanced Providence to the championship game against Blessed Trinity. The Titans defeated Parkview 4-2 in the other semifinal game Saturday. Cartersville (10-4) plays Parkview (9-3) Saturday afternoon for third place.

The Cass girls and boys soccer teams swept visiting Woodland Friday night at Doug Cochran Stadium with the Lady Colonels blanking the Lady Cats 3-0 and the Colonels taking a 7-4 decision from the Wildcats. The two Cass victories left all four local rivals with 2-2 records in Region 7-AAAAA as the teams head down the stretch of their region slates. CASS GIRLS 3, WOODLAND 0 Logan Vermaas scored a pair of first half goals and Lupita Pineda scored on a header off a Vermaas corner kick to give Cass a 3-0 lead at halftime. Woodland (4-5-1, 2-2) challenged in the second half, but Cass keeper Brianna Bullock retained her shutout. She had ten saves in the contest. The Lady Cats travel to Rome Tuesday and play a non-region match at Dutchtown next Friday. The Lady Colonels (4-7, 2-2) play at East Paulding Tuesday and host Hiram next Friday. CASS BOYS 7, WOODLAND 4 Carlos Perez scored two of his three goals in the first half and Julio Medina added a first half goal as the Colonels led at the break, 3-1. Miguel Hernandez scored Woodland’s first half goal that made the score 1-1 at the time. Howard Jennings scored for Woodland to narrow the Cass lead to 3-2 early in the second half, but the Colonels responded less than a minute later on Medina’s second tally to go ahead 4-2. Javier Duarte gave Cass a 5-2 lead, but Kevin Moreno kept Woodland within striking distance with a pair of goals that included a penalty kick and narrowed the Colonels’ lead to 5-4. Cass put the game away, however, in the final ten minutes. Perez finished his hat trick and Anthony Robledo found the net off a Christian Alvarez free kick. Felipe Albarran and Robledo both finished with two assists for the Colonels. Cass keeper Isai Romero totaled 11 saves. Woodland (4-5-1, 2-2) plays at Rome Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Cass (3-7, 2-2) travels to East Paulding Tuesday for a 7:45 p.m. kickoff and will host Hiram next Friday night.

Sonoraville got a walk-off RBI double from Matthew Vincent in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night to slip by visiting Cass in extra innings action, 6-5. Wyatt Castoe reached base with one out on a pop fly single and Tyler Lyles walked to set up Vincent’s game-winning hit. The Colonels had their chances and held leads of 3-0 through two innings and 4-3 through five before Sonoraville tied the game 4-4 with a run in the sixth. Cass then loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with one out, but managed only a single run on a Gavin Young RBI single to go ahead, 5-4. Sonoraville sent the game to extra innings in dramatic style with a two-out, RBI single of their own by Avery Hopper in the bottom of the seventh. Grant Hegwood scored the run that sent the game into extra innings. Trent Walker (3 IP, 0R, 2H, 1BB, 2K) retired the final nine outs to pick up the pitching victory for Sonoraville. Gage Soulios (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 2K) worked middle relief for Hopper (4 IP, 4R, 3ER, 5H, 3BB, 6K) who started. Young (2.1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 2K) was saddle with the pitching loss for the Colonels. Wyatt Karlovich (1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 1BB, 3K) took the mound in the sixth inning in relief of Cass starter Steven Spell (5 IP, 3R, 1ER, 4H, 1BB, 4K). Vincent finished with two hits including a double and one RBI for the Phoenix. Tyler Lyles had a double and two RBI. Hopper had an RBI single and Chase Kirby had two hits for Sonoraville (4-2). Young had two hits and two RBI for Cass. Logan Nelson drove in one run with two hits and a sacrifice. Clay Means contributed two hits including a double. Thomas Botts (RBI), Evan Hinton, and Matt Shook (double) had the other Colonels’ hits. Bryson Markley drove in a second inning run with a groundout. Cass (6-6) begins Region 7-AAAAA play Monday and Wednesday in a two-game series with Hiram. The Hornets visit Cass Monday at 5:55 p.m. with the Colonels traveling to Hiram Wednesday.

Georgia Highlands took a 4-1 lead early Friday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and held off the Stallions for an 11-4 conference win. Matt Norton (6.1 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H, 5BB, 4K) worked into the seventh inning to pick up the pitching win. Skylar McPhee homered while Cameron Hearn, Bryson Horne, and Nick Piccapietra combined for five hits and five RBI to key the offense. The Chargers (16-6, 2-1) have won the first two games of their series with ABAC and play a doubleheader Saturday with Stallions in Tifton starting at 1 p.m. GHC SOFTBALL SWEEPS ABAC The Chargers’ softball team won twice at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Friday night by scores of 3-1 and 10-3. Micayla McCoy picked up both wins in the circle. GHC (16-11, 4-2) plays Andrew College Saturday at 1p.m. and 3 p.m. in Cuthbert, GA.

Pitcher Anthony Seigler kept Cartersville in the game for the first five innings and the Canes’ offense took over in the final two frames for an 8-1 win over the Class 7A Grayson Rams Friday afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the 2018 Perfect Game High School Showdown at LakePoint in Emerson. The win advances the Hurricanes to a Saturday morning semifinal matchup with Providence (FL). The Stallions beat Class 5A top-ranked Loganville Friday afternoon, 2-0. Class 4A second-ranked Cartersville (10-3) trailed 1-0 on an unearned run going into the sixth inning, but scored three runs in the sixth and five more in the seventh for a seven-run victory. Seigler — who was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a double — tossed a complete game. He scattered seven hits and fanned five without walking a batter. He only needed 80 pitches in the seven innings of work and 61 of his pitches were strikes. Devin Warner had three RBI with two hits including a double. Jake Gooch drove in two runs with a pair of hits including a double. Mason Barnett had one hit and one RBI. J.P. Martin and Garrett Shelton added one hit apiece. Josh Stinson and Parker Meadows both had two hits for the Rams who slipped to 5-8 on the year. Cartersville has now won five in a row and eight of its last nine games against one of the state's most challenging schedules. In other quarterfinal action Friday afternoon at LakePoint, Parkview edged Cullman (AL) 2-1 and Blessed Trinity blasted Buford, 16-7. Parkview (No. 2 in Class 7A) and Blessed Trinity (No. 1 in Class 4A) will play in Saturday morning’s other semifinal. The two semifinal winners will square off Saturday at 12:30 p.m. for the tournament championship. The semifinal losers will play at the same time for third place.

Cartersville starting pitcher Mason Barnett struck out eight, scattered two hits and two walks, and did not allow an earned run as the Purple Hurricanes opened the Perfect Game High School Showdown at LakePoint Thursday night with a 7-4 victory over Seminary (MS). Jordan Wilkie singled home a run and a wild pitch led to a run as the Canes took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Seminary took advantage of a walk and two errors to claim a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Hurricanes bounced right back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the fifth inning for a 7-3 lead. The Bulldogs threatened with two outs in the seventh and added one final run. Back-to-back singles and an RBI double had runners at second and third, but Canes’ coach Kyle Tucker turned to Anthony Seigler who needed only three pitches to induce a groundout to shortstop Devin Warner to end the threat and secure Cartersville's three-run win. Wilkie drove in three runs with two hits for Cartersville. Josh Davis also had two hits and two RBI. J.P. Martin, Warner, Barnett, and Ian Inaba had the other Canes’ hits. Gage Morris (0.2 IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 1K) retired the first two outs of the seventh before giving way to Seigler for the final out and a save. Cartersville (9-3, ranked 2nd in Georgia Class AAAA) will face the Class 7A Grayson Rams at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the championship bracket quarterfinals on LakePoint Field #15. Grayson (5-7) defeated College Station (TX) 2-1 in the first round Thursday night. In other Red Division bracket games Thursday: Loganville 11, Troup County 0 Providence (FL) 4, North Gwinnett 3 Parkview 10, North Broward Prep (FL) 0 Cullman (AL) 10, Hillgrove 1 Buford 6, Northview (AL) 2 Blessed Trinity 4, Brookwood 1 Friday’s quarterfinals (All games at 3:30 p.m.) Field 16 — Loganville vs. Providence (FL) Field 15 — Cartersville vs. Grayson Field 14 — Parkview vs. Cullman (AL) Field 13 — Buford vs. Blessed Trinity A win Friday puts Cartersville in the tournament semifinals Saturday morning at 10 a.m. against the Loganville/Providence (FL) winner. A loss would mean a second game Friday night at 6 p.m. against the Loganville/Providence loser in a consolation round game.