Bobby Howard, former baseball coach at Columbus High School and more recently at Central High School in Phenix City, AL, has been named the new head baseball coach at Cartersville High School. Howard, 66, takes over for Stuart Chester who stepped down in May to become the head baseball coach at Buford. Howard coached at Columbus High School from 1984 until two seasons ago when he made the move to Phenix City Central. He previously coached at Jordan High School, Kendrick High School, and Middle Georgia College. Howard won 819 games and 12 state titles at Columbus and his teams had several notable playoff match-ups with Cartersville over the years. Columbus beat Cartersville in 2005 and 2006 in the state quarterfinals, but Chester’s Canes defeated Howard’s Blue Devils in the 2008 quarterfinals and the 2009 state championship series. Columbus captured the last two match-ups, winning a quarterfinal series over the Hurricanes in both 2010 and 2012. At Phenix City Central, Howard’s teams defeated Cartersville each of the last two seasons as the two colleagues maintained their friendly rivalry. Howard’s teams have compiled a 985-296 record in 39 seasons. In addition to his dozen GHSA state championships, his teams finished state runner-up in Georgia eight times and collected 29 region titles. Howard has been a state coach of the year multiple times. He was named the Diamond Baseball National Coach of the Year in 2000; USA Today National Coach of the Year in 2004; and the ESPN High School Coach of the Year in 2012. Cartersville Athletic Director Darrell Demastus and new Canes' head baseball coach Bobby Howard Howard was inducted into the Columbus State University Hall of Fame in 1998, the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. At least ten of Howard's former players have reached the major league level, including former Chicago White Sox star Frank Thomas, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Bartow History Museum is currently recruiting individuals who may have an intrest in greeting guests, providing tours, and/or answering questions for an upcoming “Hometown Teams” exhibit July 29-September 9. Training will be provided. The presentation is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Georgia Humanities Council. The museum is also seeking the loan of local photos, uniforms, programs, and equipment that highlight Bartow’s sporting legacy. Items can be from any sporting activity, including band, cheer, and spectators. The items may be from long ago or relatively recent. Please contact Trey Gaines at treyg@bartowhistorymuseum.org or 770-382-3818 xt. 6286 for more information.

The 10U Bartow All-Stars defeated Whitfield County 13-4 Wednesday night to capture the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 5 Machine-Pitch Softball Championship. The win clinched a berth in the GRPA State Tournament July 11-15 in Bainbridge. Bartow 10U was led offensively by Braylin Myrick, Naxyria Roberts, and Sadie Raughton with three hits each. Gabi Beccera, Taylor Adcock, Peyton Dorn, and Erin McCrary collected a pair of hits each. The Bartow 10U Softball All-Stars include: Madison Abernathy, Taylor Adcock, Bariela Becerra, Layne Callan, Peyton Dorn, Katlyn Taylor Evans, Alivia Joslin, Erin McCrary, Riley Mounger, Marly Pruitt, Sadie Raughton, Naxyria Roberts, and Braylin Myrick. Coaches: Chris Owens and Larry Owens. 8-and-under GRPA District 5 Coach Pitch Baseball Tournament 8U Bartow 11, 8U Cartersville White 9 The Bartow County Recreation Department 8U baseball all-stars outlasted Cartersville White Wednesday night 11-9 in an elimination game at the GRPA District 5 Tournament in Calhoun to clinch a berth in the GRPA State Tournament July 11-15 again in Calhoun. Bartow 8U scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to break open a 4-4 tie, but Cartersville challenged in their final at-bat and had the game tying runners in scoring position when a groundout to the pitcher ended the rally. Bartow led 1-0 through four innings and took a 4-0 lead before Cartersville White tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. ​​Drew Nida, Weston Wilson, and Taylor Hicks were al 2-for-3 to help lead the Bartow 8U offensive attack. James Lee, Jayce Little, Zaylen Cochran, Cooper Reynolds, Maddox Raughton, McKayden Hufstetler, and Preston Hazelwood all added one hit each. Cartersville White finished the double-elimination tournament with a 3-2 mark. Bartow (3-1) is back in action in Calhoun Thursday at 7:30 pm against the Rockmart/Whitfield Blue winner. 10-and-under GRPA District 5 Baseball Tournament 10U Bartow #1 6, Rome 4 Chris Romo (3.2 IP, 4K) picked up the pitching victory and Caleb Freeman (1.1 IP) earned a save as Bartow 10U #1 defeated Rome 6-4 in an elimination round game at the GRPA 5th District Tournament at Westside Park in Whitfield County. Bartow 10U #1 (2-1) plays Cartersville 10U #2 (2-1) Thursday night at 6:15 pm in the double-elimination tournament at Westside Park. The game will be a re-match of Monday’s first round game won by Bartow #1, 13-5. Cameron Adams and Lane McDonald had two hits each for Bartow in their win over Rome Wednesday. David Jinks, Isaac Burnett, Brayden Davis, and Freeman added one hit apiece. Calhoun (2-0) and Bartow County #2 (2-0) also play Thursday night at 8 pm with the winner moving into the championship round. The loser will face the Cartersville #2/Bartow #1 winner Friday night at 6pm in an elimination game. 12-and-under GRPA District 5 Traditional Baseball Tournament Bartow 13, Rockmart 4 An 11-run first inning by Bartow 12U Wednesday night launched the locals into the District 5 championship round as they defeated Rockmart 13-4. Landon O’Neal and Andrew Stiles both had two hits to help lead the Bartow County attack. O’Neal (3 IP, 1R) also picked up the win on the mound. Dawson Craig (2 IP) and Mason Williams (1 IP) pitched in relief to close out the game. Bartow 12U (2-0) needs only one more win to capture the double-elimination tournament. They will play the winner of Thursday’s semi-final between Rockmart and Rome in an 8 pm championship game. If an additional game is needed, it will be played Friday at 7pm. Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, and Bartow County and Cartersville Recreation youth softball and baseball updates are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. Game results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.

2017 Local High School Football Schedule The 2017 week-by-week combined schedule for all four local high school football teams. Friday, August 18 Cartersville at Allatoona Ridgeland at Adairsville River Ridge at Woodland Open Date: Cass Friday, August 25 Adairsville at Cass Open Date: Woodland Saturday, August 26 Bartram Trail, FL at Cartersville Friday, September 1 Calhoun at Cartersville Cass at Sonoraville Model at Adairsville Rockmart at Woodland Friday, September 8 Cartersville at Westlake Woodland at Cass Open Date: Adairsville Friday, September 15 Adairsville at Ringgold Cass at Hiram Villa Rica at Woodland Open Date: Cartersville Friday, September 22 Cartersville at Cedartown Cass at Kell Murray County at Adairsville Woodland at Carrollton Friday, September 29 Cartersville at Central-Carrollton Hiram at Woodland Open Date: Adairsville, Cass Friday, October 6 Calhoun at Adairsville Cartersville at LaGrange East Paulding at Cass Paulding County at Woodland Friday, October 13 Adairsville at Sonoraville Cass at Rome Sandy Creek at Cartersville Woodland at East Paulding Friday, October 20 Bremen at Adairsville Cass at Paulding County Chapel Hill at Cartersville Open Date: Woodland Friday, October 27 Adairsville at Haralson County Kell at Woodland Villa Rica at Cass Open Date: Cartersville Friday, November 3 Adairsville at Region 6AAA Play-In Game Carrollton at Cass Cartersville at Troup Woodland at Rome Friday, November 10 GHSA State Playoffs 1st Round Friday, November 17 GHSA State Playoffs 2nd Round Friday, November 24 GHSA State Playoffs Quarterfinals Friday, December 1 GHSA State Playoffs Semifinals Fri / Sat, Dec. 8-9 GHSA State Playoffs Championship Games WBHF (100.3FM / AM1450) and BartowSportsZone.com will broadcast two games live most weekends for a total of 24 regular season games. WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone will also broadcast all state playoff games involving any of the local teams. See the BROADCAST PAGE on this website for broadcast schedule updates and links to live broadcasts and game archives. The Bartow Sports Zone radio show on WBHF with coach interviews, game previews, and updates on all your local sports returns Friday, August 11 and will air each Friday morning 7am to 9am.

Tuesday night’s action at Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 5 Tournaments: 10-and-under GRPA Baseball Bartow #2 8, Cartersville 5 Bartow 10U All-Stars #2 scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning Tuesday night on their way to an 8-5 win over Cartersville #1 at the GRPA District 5 10U Tournament at Westside Park in Whitfield County. Kaiden Pirkle got the Bartow offense started in the first inning with a lead-off triple. Connor Lujan followed with a walk and Robert Mitchell reached on an error in front of back-to-back singles by Aiden Ritchie and Malachi Linley for Bartow’s first three runs. Joshua McBroon then doubled home two more runs for the five-run first. Mitchell, Ritchie, Linley, and McBroom finished with one hit apiece. Lujan (4 IP, 9K) was the winning pitcher. Bartow #2 is now 2-0 at the double-elimination GRPA District 5 Tournament and will play Calhoun (2-0) Thursday night at 8 pm. The winner of that game locks in a spot in the District finals and will need only one additional win to capture the title. Cartersville #1 (1-1) falls to the elimination bracket to play Cartersville #2 (1-1) Wednesday night at 6:15 pm. Cartersville #2 defeated Whitfield County Tuesday night 6-5 in an elimination game. Calhoun 11, Bartow #1 1 Bartow #1 (1-1) lost a second round game to Calhoun (2-0) Tuesday night at the GRPA District 5 Tournament, 11-1. Cameron Adams had the lone hit for Bartow #1 who slips to the elimination bracket to play Rome Wednesday night at 8 pm. 10-and-under Machine Pitch GRPA Softball 10U Softball Bartow 15, Whitfield County 3 Bartow 10U trailed 3-1 early, but posted three runs in the second inning and six more in the third inning to take a lead they would not relinquish in a 15-3 defeat of Whitfield County at the District 5 Tournament at Heritage Park in Dalton. With their victory, Bartow 10U advances to the championship round of the District Tournament and awaits the winner of Whitfield County and Dalton. Those two teams play at 6:30 pm Wednesday night with the winner to play Bartow County immediately following. In Tuesday’s Bartow win, Taylor Adcock, Layne Callan, Peyton Dorn and Naxyria Roberts had 3 hits each. Alivia Joslin, Sadie Raughton, and Taylor Evans added two hits apiece. A win by Bartow Wednesday night secures the GRPA District 5 title. A loss means there will be a second championship game in the double-elimination tournament Thursday night again at Heritage Park in Dalton. ​​In other action involving local teams, the BCRD 8U Coach Pitch softball team was knocked out of the District 5 Tournament in Calhoun. Bartow lost to Rome 25-22 in the elimination bracket to finish the tournament 0-2. The BCRD 12U softball team plays Paulding County Wednesday night in an elimination game at Hamilton Crossing Park. Bartow fell 9-7 Monday night to Whitfield County in both teams first round game at the GRPA District 5 Tournament. Bartow County 8U plays Cartersville White 8U Wednesday in Calhoun in an elimination game of the GRPA District 5 Tournament. Bartow (2-1) has wins over Whitfield County Blue and Rome Red to go with a loss to Gordon County 8s, 11-10. Cartersville White (3-1) has tournament wins over Gordon County 7s 21-1, Rome Red, 7-0, and Rome White 15-0. In 12-and-under baseball, Bartow County plays Rockmart Wednesday night at 8pm at Westside Park Field 1. Bartow defeated Rome 10-8 Monday. Rockmart has wins over Dalton and Whitfield County. Wednesday night’s Bartow/Rockmart winner secures a spot in the District 5 championship round of the double-elimination tournament. Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 5 youth softball and baseball tournaments continue through Friday night in most age groups with some “if needed” games set for Saturday. Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, and Bartow County and Cartersville Recreation youth softball and baseball updates are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. Game results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.

Three teams representing the Bartow County Recreation Department collected opening wins Monday night at Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 5 Tournaments. A pair of 10-and-under baseball teams picked up wins for BCRD along with a 12-and-under baseball team. The Cartersville Recreation Department 10-and-under baseball teams split their opening round games. Each GRPA District 5 tournament is double-elimination and continues through either Friday night or Saturday. Monday's reported results: 10U GRPA District 5 Baseball ​​ 10U Bartow County #2 7, Rockmart 6 Bartow 10U #2 prevailed in a back-and-forth battle with Rockmart Monday night at Westside Park in Whitfield County when Connor Lujan’s groundout scored the winning run in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-6 win. Jett Johnson was 2-for-2 with three RBIs to help lead Bartow #2. Righley Worthington was also 2-for-2 with a double. Lujan finished 2-for-3 at the plate and Malachi Linley was 1-for-2 with a stolen base. Bartow starting pitcher Kaiden Pirkle (3.2 IP, 5K) started on the mound for Bartow. Lujan (1.1 IP, 4K) entered in the fourth inning and picked up the win in relief. Bartow 10U #2 plays Cartersville #1 Tuesday night at 8 pm at Westside Park Field 4. Cartersville #1 shutout Rome Monday night, 5-0. 10U Bartow County #1 13, Cartersville 5 Bartow 10U #1 scored nine first inning runs Monday night to take an early lead and then held on for a 13-5 victory in the opening round of the GRPA District 5 tournament at Westside Park in Whitfield County. Caleb Freeman and Trevon Smith were both 3-for-3 at the plate to help lead the Bartow #1 offense. Cameron Adams and David Jinks both went 2-for-3. Bartow #1 starting pitcher, Christopher Romo (2.2 IP, 3K) earned the pitching win. Freeman (1.1 IP, 2K) closed out the game on the mound. Bartow #1 plays Calhoun Tuesday at 8 pm at Westside Park Field 2. Calhoun defeated Whitfield County Monday night, 11-1. 12U GRPA District 5 Baseball Bartow 10, Rome 8 A five-run top of the fifth inning helped Bartow come-from-behind to defeat Rome 10-8 Monday night in an opening round game at the GRPA District 5 12-and-under Traditional Tournament at Westside Park in Whitfield County. Bartow trailed 6-5 heading into the fifth inning when Mark Perdue opened the frame by reaching on an error. Logan O’Neal followed with a single and — after a pair of walks — Todd Gaddy drove in a run with an RBI single. Caleb Wiley rounded out the big Bartow inning with a two-RBI double. Wiley finished 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Mason Williams was 1-for-2 with a walk. O’Neal, Dawson Craig, and Gaddy were 1-for-3 each. Perdue (2 IP, 5K) started on the mound for Bartow. Williams (1 IP, 2K) and Craig (1 IP, 1K) worked in middle relief. O’Neal (2 IP, 3K) closed out the game on the mound and picked up the win. Bartow plays Wednesday at 8 pm at Westside Park Field 1 against the Whitfield County/Rockmart winner from Tuesday night. Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, and Bartow County and Cartersville Recreation youth softball and baseball updates are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. Game results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.

Brooks Koepka captured the 2017 U.S. Open in southeastern Wisconsin Sunday afternoon with a record-tying 16-under-par 72-hole score. His victory total equaled the 2011 total score of Rory McIlroy at Congressional County Club in Maryland. Kyle Thompson (photo) was the only Scott Hamilton Golf Academy player in the U.S. Open field. He shot rounds of 76-70 on Thursday and Friday to narrowly miss the 36-hole cut by one stroke. The 2017 U.S. Open was conducted on the 7,823-yard Erin Hills course in Erin, Wisconsin. It was the first-ever U.S. Open held in the state of Wisconsin. Brian Harman (13-under), Hideki Matsuyama (-12), and Tommy Fleetwood (-11) completed the top four finishers. First round leader Rickie Fowler finished 10-under-par. Thompson is a full-time player on the WEB.com Tour in 2017 where he won the season opening event at the Sandals - Emerald Reef Course in the Bahamas in heavy winds. In addition to his early season win, Thompson has two top-10 finishes and four top-25 finishes on the WEB.com Tour in 2017. Thompson played collegiately at the University of South Carolina where he twice won individual titles at NCAA Regionals and won the Dogwood Amateur Invitational at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta. Thompson, 38, is from Greenville, South Carolina and was one of three qualifiers for the U.S. Open in Sectional Qualifying at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland in early June. Thompson played full-time on the PGA Tour in 2008 and 2012 and has been on the WEB.com Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour) since turning pro in 2001. He has 54 career starts on the PGA Tour (26 events in ’08 / 22 events in ’12) with a pair of top-25 finishes and just over $199,000 in career PGA Tour earnings. On the WEB.com Tour, the Panama City, Florida native has played in 280 career events with over $1.7 million in earnings. He currently ranks 7th on the WEB.com Tour money list in 2017 where a top-25 season finish earns a full-time PGA Tour card next season. Meanwhile this past week on the LPGA and WEB.com Tours, Brooke Pancake shot 70-68-68-67 at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan to represent SHGA with a tie for 37th place. Three of four SHGA players at the WEB.com Tour’s Wichita Air Capital Classic also made the 36-hole cut. PGA TOUR U.S. Open June 15-18 - Erin Hills - Erin, WI Winner: Brooks Koepka (-16) Scott Hamilton Golf Academy player: CUT — Kyle Thompson (+2, 76-70) U.S. Open Kyle Thompson This Week: June 22-25 — Travelers Championship — TPC River Highlands — Cromwell, CT PGA TOUR Champions Scott Hamilton Golf Academy player: Joe Durant is currently 28th on the Charles Schwab Cup Money List through 11 events. This Week: June 23-25 — American Family Insurance Championship - University Ridge GC - Madison, WI Joe Durant WEB.COM TOUR Air Capital Classic June 15-18 - Wichita, KS Winner: Aaron Wise (-21) Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players: T48 — Chris Wilson (-6, 70-66-68-70) - T55 — Cory Whitsett (-5, 69-66-73-67) T67 — Matt Atkins (-3, 66-66-70-75) CUT — Casey Wittenberg (+1, 74-67) Chris Wilson This Week: Lincoln Land Charity Championship - Panther Creek CC - Springfield, IL LPGA TOUR Meijer LPGA Classic June 15-18 — Grand Rapids, MI Winner: Brooke Henderson (-21) Scott Hamilton Golf Academy player: T37 — Brooke Pancake (70-68-68-67) Meijer LPGA Classic, Grand Rapids, MI This Week: June 23-25 — Walmart NW Arkansas Championship — Rogers, AR Brooke Pancake Each week, Bartow Sports Zone tracks the professional golfers on tour affiliated with Cartersville Country Club's Scott Hamilton Golf Academy (ScottHamiltonGolf.com) and teaching professional Mike Granato (MikeGranatoGolf.com). Both Hamilton and Granato are affiliated professionals with Athletic Motion Golf. (https://athleticmotiongolf.com) Scott Hamilton is the long time Director of Golf at Cartersville Country Club and is teacher/advisor/instructor to many prominent golf professionals competing on the PGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, WEB.com Tour, LPGA Tour, and more. Mike Granato is a local golf instructor who also works with many of Hamilton's clients.

The 8-and-under coach pitch teams for softball and baseball began play in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 5 Tournaments this past Saturday, but for most age groups the action gets started Monday and Tuesday. GRPA District 5 Tournaments continue through this Saturday. 10-and-under Machine Pitch Softball GRPA District 5 — Dalton Tuesday, June 20 7:30 pm — Bartow County vs. Whitfield Co./Dalton winner Winner plays Wednesday in championship round at 7:30 pm Loser plays elimination game Wednesday at 6:30 pm 12-and-under Fastpitch Softball GRPA District 5 — Hamilton Crossing Park, Bartow Co. Monday, June 19 8 pm — Bartow County vs. Whitfield County Winner plays Tuesday vs. Murray County at 8 pm Loser plays elimination game Wednesday at 6 pm vs. Paulding/Rockmart/Rome loser 10-and-under Baseball GRPA District 5 — Whitfield County Monday, June 19 6:15 pm — Cartersville #1 vs. Rome Winner plays Tuesday at 8 pm vs. Rockmart/Bartow #2 winner Loser plays elimination game Tuesday at 6:15 pm vs. Rockmart/Bartow #2 loser 8 pm — Cartersville #2 vs. Bartow County #1 Winner plays Tuesday at 8 pm vs. Whitfield/Calhoun winner Loser plays elimination game Tuesday at 6:15 pm vs. Whitfield/Calhoun loser 8 pm — Rockmart vs. Bartow County #2 Winner plays Tuesday at 8 pm vs. Cartersville #1/Rome winner Loser plays elimination game Tuesday at 6:15 pm vs. Cartersville #1/Rome loser 12-and-under Baseball Traditional GRPA District 5 — Whitfield County Monday, June 19 8 pm — Bartow County vs. Rome Winner plays Wednesday at 8 pm vs. Whitfield/Dalton/Rockmart winner Loser plays elimination game Tuesday at 6:15 pm vs. Dalton/Rockmart loser 12-and-under Baseball Major GRPA District 5 — Haralson County Monday, June 19 6 pm — Cartersville vs. Haralson County Winner plays Tuesday at 6 pm vs. Gordon Co./Cobb Co./Calhoun winner Loser plays elimination game Monday at 7:30 pm vs. Cobb/Calhoun loser 8-and-under Baseball GRPA District 5 -- Calhoun This past Saturday, the Bartow 8U coach pitch team won its first game in the GRPA District 5 Tournament with a 15-5 victory over Whitfield County Blue. Bartow 8U plays Monday at 6 pm at Calhoun Park Field 3 against Gordon County 8U. Cartersville Rec has two teams in the 8U coach pitch tournament. Both are in the loser’s bracket of the District 5 Tournament. Cartersville Purple plays Whitfield County White in an elimination game Monday night at 6 pm on Field 1 at Calhoun Park. Cartersville Purple lost to Gordon County 8U Saturday, 18-0. Cartersville White plays Rome White in an elimination game Tuesday at 6 pm at Calhoun Park Field 1. Cartersville White defeated Gordon County 7U Saturday 21-1, but lost in the second round to Calhoun, 23-16. 8-and-under Softball GRPA District 5 -- Calhoun At the GRPA District 5 coach pitch 8-and-under softball tournament in Calhoun, Bartow County fell to Gordon County Saturday 23-6. The loss puts Bartow 8U in an elimination game Tuesday night at 6 pm at Calhoun Park Field 2 against Rome 8U. Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, and Bartow County and Cartersville Recreation softball and baseball updates are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. Game results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.

Sam Howard made his return to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes Friday night and went 5.2 innings at home with no decision in a game against Fresno marketed as the “World’s Largest Food Fight.” Albuquerque played as the Green Chili Cheeseburgers and Fresno — normally the Grizzlies — played as the Tacos. Both teams had special jerseys for the game. Howard, who made one start earlier in the year for Albuquerque before returning to the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats in the Eastern League, was solid through the fifth inning before running into trouble in the sixth. Albuquerque led 6-1 through five frames, but Fresno touched Howard for four singles and a sacrifice fly before the Cartersville native was lifted with two runners still aboard. Unfortunately, Fresno’s Tyler White doubled in the next at-bat to drive in both runners which were Howard’s responsibility. The game went back-and-forth from that point with Fresno escaping with a 15-14 win. Howard, a third round pick in the Colorado Rockies’ organization in 2014 out of Georgia Southern, was charged with five earned runs in his 5.2 innings. He allowed 10 hits and two walks. He fanned five. For the season, Howard has a 1-4 record in 10 starts divided between Hartford and Albuquerque. His season ERA is 2.94 with 45 strikeouts and only a dozen walks. Albuquerque (33-34) is in third place in the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific Southern Division. The Isotopes trail the Salt Lake Bees (LAA) by 3.5 games. Cartersville’s other MiLB player, Connor Justus (photo right), continues to search for the offensive production he had last season in the Los Angeles Angels organization. Justus, a second year pro and fifth round pick of the Angels in 2016 out of Georgia Tech, has seen his 2017 batting average slip to .185 after hitting .276 in 68 games between Orem (Rookie League) and Burlington (Class A) one year ago. Justus, now with the Advanced Class A, California League Inland Empire 66ers, continues as the every day starter at shortstop and has maintained his superb defensive numbers. He has a .942 fielding percentage and has been part of 30 double plays in 224 total defensive chances. He currently has a .340 on-base percentage with five homers and 16 RBIs.

The Bartow County Recreation Department 8-and-under coach pitch baseball team won its opening game at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 5 Tournament Saturday by defeating Whitfield County Blue, 15-5, in five innings. Drew Nida led the way for Bartow 8U by going 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and one run scored. He was also credited with 11 putouts on defense. James Lee, Zaylen Cochran, and Jayce Little were also 2-for-3 for Bartow. Lee and Cochran scored two runs each. Little scored one run. Weston Wilson and Taylor Hicks both had one hit and scored two runs. Cooper Reynolds, Maddox Raughton, Preston Hazelwood, and McCayden Hufstetler each contributed one hit and one run scored each. Graham Coheley scored one run. Bartow 8U plays again Monday at 6 pm at Calhoun Park Field 3 against Gordon County 8U. Gordon County 8U defeated Cartersville Purple 8U Saturday morning, 18-0. In other action at the 8U District 5 coach pitch tourney, Rome White defeated Whitfield County White 14-3, but fell to Rockmart 14-1 in the second round. Cartersville White 8U routed Gordon County 7U, 21-1 but lost 23-16 in the second round to Calhoun. Cartersville Purple plays Whitfield County White in an elimination game Monday night at 6 pm on Field 1 at Calhoun Park. Cartersville White plays Rome White in an elimination game Tuesday at 6 pm at Calhoun Park Field 1. The double-elimination tournament continues through Friday night with a possible “if needed” game on Saturday morning. BARTOW 8U SOFTBALL TEAM FALLS TO LOSERS BRACKET AT DISTRICT TOURNEY At the GRPA District 5 coach pitch 8-and-under softball tournament in Calhoun, Bartow County fell to Gordon County Saturday 23-6. The loss puts Bartow 8U in an elimination game Tuesday night at 6 pm at Calhoun Park Field 2 against Rome 8U. CARTERSVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE 9-YEAR-OLD TEAM ELIMINATED AT SANDLOT STATE TOURNAMENT The Cartersville Little League 9-year-old team lost both pool games and was eliminated at the Georgia Little League Sandlot State Tournament Saturday in Warner Robins. Cartersville fell to Martinez-Evans 14-3 in their first game and was defeated by Warner Robins American West, 13-2, in their second game. Martinez Evans and Warner Robins American West will play for the state championship Sunday at 2:30 pm. Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, and Bartow County and Cartersville Recreation softball and baseball updates are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. Game results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.

The Cartersville Hurricanes’ football team made an outstanding run through pool play Friday at the 3rd annual Corky Kell 7-on-7 Invitational at the Roswell Area Parks Football Complex, but was knocked out of the bracket play portion of the tournament in their second round game. Cartersville defeated Mountain View 34-26; Houston County 29-2; Norcross 23-20; and Cherokee 41-7 in morning pool play to enter the 30-team single elimination championship bracket with a first round bye as the No. 1 seed. The Canes then squared off with Archer in the second round where they were edged 38-36 in double-overtime. Archer went on to advance to the championship game with four consecutive wins, but fell to Central Gwinnett 32-14 to finish runner-up. The head coach at Central Gwinnett is former Cass High School player and Woodland High School assistant coach, Todd Wofford.

The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District Five 8-and-under coach pitch softball and baseball tournaments get underway Saturday in Calhoun. Bartow County has a team in the 8-and-under softball tournament and one team in the 8-and-under baseball tournament. Cartersville will have two teams in the baseball tournament. 8-and-under Coach Pitch Softball GRPA District 5 — Calhoun Saturday, June 17 12 noon — Bartow County vs. Gordon County Winner plays Monday vs. Murray County/Rome winner Loser plays elimination game Tuesday at 6 pm Bartow County 8-and-under coach pitch softball roster: Taylor Abernathy, Lakiaya Michelle Banks, D’Ambria Callahan, Katie Clowers, Bailey DeBoard, Lucy M. Evans, Janie Cate Fricks, Sariya Ray, Emma Skelton, Savanna Stiles, Harlee Thomason, Savannah Viktora, Raelyn Walden 8-and-under Coach Pitch Baseball GRPA District 5 — Calhoun Park Fields 1 and 3 Saturday, June 17 9 am — Bartow County vs. Rome Red Winner plays Saturday at 12 noon vs. Whitfield County Blue Loser plays elimination game Saturday at 3 pm vs. Calhoun/Gordon Co./Cartersville White loser 10:30 am — (F3) Cartersville Purple vs. Gordon County 8s Winner plays Monday at 6 pm vs. Whitfield/Bartow/Rome Red winner Loser plays elimination game Monday at 6 pm vs. Whitfield White/Rome White loser 10:30 am — (F1) Cartersville White vs. Gordon County 7s Winner plays Saturday at 1:30 pm vs. Calhoun Loser plays elimination game Monday at 7:30 pm vs. Whitfield Blue/Bartow/Rome Red loser Bartow County 8s roster: Zaylen Cochran, Graham Coheley, Preston Hazelwood, Taylor Hicks, McCayden Hufstetler, James Lee, Jayce Little, Maddox Raughton, Cooper reynolds, Jacob Tatum, Weston Wilson. Cartersville 8A roster: Westin Barfield, Robert Barker Jr., Carter Callan, Dallen Fuqua, Blake Genrich, Zachary Hall, Cole Henson, Garrett Hewlett, Dixon Lindsey, Payton Paul, Cash Priest, Dawson Ray. Cartersville 8B roster: Drake Bailey, Jorian Bailey, Devon Beavers, Ramsey Dunn, Jahkhoree Gainor, Clint Hosea, Blake Lutjens, Jack Peters, Brant Rutledge, Braden Slocumb. Bartow County Little League and Cartersville Little League baseball and softball results are provided by the respective leagues, Georgia Little League, and GRPA. Reports are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.