Georgia Highlands pitchers Tyler Sellers and David Hulsey combined to shutout the Shorter University JV, 10-0 Monday at LakePoint. Both pitchers went three innings each and each fanned three Hawks. The Chargers’ offense rapped out ten hits and scored in each inning except two. GHC posted seven runs in the first two innings combined and added two runs in the fourth with another in the sixth inning for their 10-run total. Caleb McElwaney, Devin Bilardello (2 RBIs), Matt Vaccaro (RBI), and Nick Piccapietra (double, 3 RBIs) led the offensive charge with two hits each. Josh Kiser smashed a solo homer and Bronco O’Brien (2 RBIs) added one hit. Georgia Highlands College (29-14) plays Shorter JV again Wednesday at LakePoint. The Chargers then return to Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference play next Tuesday (April 18) at Abraham Baldwin in Tifton. That conference series with ABAC continues Friday and Saturday (April 21-22) with three more games at LakePoint.

Perfect Game released its official All-Tournament team from the 2017 PG Rawlings Select Classic #3 at LakePoint Sports in Emerson with Tournament MVP Devin Warner leading a collection of ten Cartersville Hurricanes named to the team. The Canes won the tournament last weekend by going 4-0 with wins over Walnut Grove, Dunwoody, Pepperell, and Centennial. In addition to Warner (photo left), the following Hurricanes were named to the All Tournament Team: Jacob Fowler, Noah Daniel, Preston Welchel, Spencer Dickey, J.P. Martin, Anthony Seigler, Jake Gooch, Levi Ayers, and Mason Barnett. See the complete listing of all players below with their respective statistics from the tournament. For the complete story by Perfect Game's Vincent Cervino, please visit this LINK: https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=13788 Data and photo courtesy Perfect Game USA

Former Cartersville Hurricanes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shortstop, Connor Justus has started his 2017 season with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League to headline this week's Athletes Beyond Bartow update for current pro and college athletes with local connections. Michael Goss had a big weekend series for UNC-Greensboro last weekend and Lauren Womack had a productive weekend on the softball diamond for Georgia Highlands College. Also, Peyton Gollhofer continues to help lead the women's tennis team at Ball State and many other local athletes are contributing at a variety of programs across the nation. PRO BASEBALL CONNOR JUSTUS — Inland Empire 66ers - Class A Advanced - California League - LA Angels affiliate (Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS). . . through four games with his new team, the second-year pro shortstop is 4-for-18 with a double, three RBIs, four walks, and one stolen base. The 66ers are 1-3 to begin the season. They host Rancho Cucamonga (LAD) Monday through Wednesday before traveling to Visalia (ARZ) Thursday through Saturday. COLLEGE BASEBALL BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (Junior, OF, Cass HS). . . was 4-for-12 including a double and scored three runs as the Saints won one of three games at Belmont Abbey College Friday and Saturday. Limestone (20-19, 9-12) plays Tuesday at Francis Marion, Wednesday at Wingate, and will host King in a three-game Conference Carolinas series this Friday and Saturday. CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (Freshman, OF, Cartersville HS). . . had one hit in each game and was 3-for-10 with two walks and one RBI, but the Jaguars were swept by 16th-ranked USC-Aiken over the weekend. Augusta (15-20, 7-11) hosts Lenoir-Rhyne Wednesday before traveling to Milledgeville for a three game Peach Belt Conference series at 29th-ranked Georgia College Friday and Saturday. TY FOWLER — Tennessee Wesleyan College (Senior, RHP, Cartersville HS). . . pitched an inning and one-third of relief last Tuesday in a 3-1 road loss at Lindsey Wilson (KY). Fowler allowed a hit and a walk. 4th-ranked TWC is 29-12 overall and 15-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs host No. 1 Faulkner University (AL) Tuesday and play a conference series Friday and Saturday at Reinhardt University. MICHAEL GOSS — UNC-Greensboro (Senior, 1B, Cartersville HS). . . had a huge weekend at the plate as the Spartans swept a three-game conference series with Furman. Goss was 7-for-14 including a pair of doubles, a triple, and seven RBIs. His season average is now up to .364 with three homers and a dozen extra base hits. He has 24 RBIs and holds a .991 fielding percentage at first base. UNCG (21-10, 7-2 Southern Conference) plays at N.C. State Tuesday night and hosts a conference series with Wofford College Thursday through Saturday. HARRISON HATFIELD — Shorter University (Junior, INF, Cartersville HS). . . entered as a pinch hitter April 4 and drove in a run when he was hit by a pitch in a 14-5 home Hawks’ victory over Emmanuel College. Shorter (19-18, 8-16 Gulf South Conference) plays at Carson-Newman University Tuesday and hosts a three-game GSC series with University of West Alabama Friday and Saturday. BRADLEY HOOD — Georgia Highlands College (Sophomore, RHP, Cass HS). . . tossed two innings of relief and fanned three as the Chargers defeated South Georgia State CC last Tuesday at LakePoint. GHC (27-14, 7-5 GCAA) hosts three games with the Shorter University JV Monday (DH) and Wednesday. The Chargers have a four-game conference series with ABAC that begins Tuesday with a single game in Tifton and three games at LakePoint Friday and Saturday (DH). SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Sophomore, 1B, Adairsville HS). . . the Mercer University commit continues to soar at the plate. He was 6-for-12 last week with a pair of doubles, four RBIs, a walk, and three runs scored as the Cougars won two of three conference games in Gallatin, TN at Volunteer State. McDermott has a .377 batting average for the season with six homers and 30 RBIs in 30 games. Cleveland State (25-11, 10-8 TCCAA) plays at West Georgia Tech in a doubleheader Tuesday and will host a three game conference series with Southwest Tennessee CC Thursday and Friday. TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Junior, OF, Adairsville HS). . . went 1-for-8 over the weekend with a walk as YHC was swept in a three-game series by 3rd-ranked University of North Georgia. Washington has a .324 batting average in 102 at bats this season including a pair of homers and seven extra base hits with 20 RBIs. Young Harris (12-23, 5-13 Peach Belt Conference) hosts West Georgia Tuesday, travels to Lee University Wednesday, and hosts a three-game PBC series with Montevallo Friday and Saturday. CHAZ WILSON — Columbus State University (Senior, RHP, Cass HS). . . made a brief, two-out, sixth inning appearance Saturday at Auburn-Montgomery allowing one hit in a 5-3 loss. CSU won two of three games in a non-conference series over the weekend with the Warhawks. Columbus State (22-14, 11-7 Peach Belt Conference) plays at Middle Georgia State Tuesday before hosting nationally 3rd-ranked and conference leading University of North Georgia this Friday through Sunday. SOFTBALL BAILEY KENNEDY — Union College (KY) (Freshman, C, Cartersville HS). . . went 1-for-10 with a pair of walks as the Lady Bulldogs split doubleheaders this week at both Point University (GA) and 12th-ranked Reinhardt University. Union (23-24, 11-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays a doubleheader at Tennessee Wesleyan Tuesday and hosts a doubleheader with Bluefield College (VA) Saturday. TAYLOR BRASELTON — Reinhardt University (Senior, SS, Woodland HS). . . was 3-for-7 as the Lady Eagles split a doubleheader Saturday with Union College (KY). Reinhardt lost 2-0 and won 6-5. Braselton’s contributions included a double, a walk, and one RBI. Reinhardt (32-11-1, 10-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Columbia College (SC) Tuesday in a conference doubleheader, hosts a doubleheader with Truett-McConnell College Thursday, and travels to St. Andrews (NC) for their final regular season conference doubleheader Sunday. SYDNEY FLOWERS — Reinhardt University (Senior, UT, Woodland HS). . . saw action as a pinch runner this past weekend as RU split a doubleheader with Union College (KY). The Lady Eagles (32-11-1, 10-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Columbia College (SC) Tuesday in a conference doubleheader, host a conference doubleheader with Truett-McConnell College Thursday, and travel to St. Andrews (NC) for their final regular season conference doubleheader Sunday. SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Sophomore, 3B/C, Woodland HS). . . went 1-for-6 in an opening round USA South Athletic Conference first round playoff series at Salem College last weekend. The Lady Panthers fell 2-0 and 7-6 to be swept in the best-of-three first round. Hodorff has a .234 batting average with one home run and six RBIs in 32 games played. LaGrange (11-21) concludes the season Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 with home doubleheaders against Agnes Scott College and Wesleyan College. CASSIDY HOWREN — Reinhardt University (Junior, C, Adairsville HS). . .was 1-for-5 as the Lady Eagles split a doubleheader Saturday with Union College (KY). Reinhardt lost 2-0 and won 6-5. Reinhardt (32-11-1, 10-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Columbia College (SC) Tuesday in a conference doubleheader, hosts a doubleheader with Truett-McConnell College Thursday, and travels to St. Andrews (NC) for their final regular season conference doubleheader Sunday. KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (Junior, OF, Cartersville HS). . . was 1-for-10 in three games last week at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. She also scored one run. The Lady Eagles won 2-1 and 1-0 before dropping the third game of the series 2-1. ERU (22-20) hosts Barry University in a three-game series Thursday and Friday. TAYLOR WAITS — Brewton-Parker College (Freshman, OF, Cartersville HS). . . went 2-for-14 in six games last week for the Lady Barons. She also scored one run. BPC dropped doubleheaders to USC-Beaufort (SC), Bethel University (TN), and Blue Mountain College (MS). The Barons (8-31, 3-15 Southern States Athletic Conference) host Brenau (GA) Friday. TAYLOR WEEKS — Reinhardt University (Senior, OF, Adairsville HS). . . went 2-for-6 with one hit in each game of last Saturday’s conference doubleheader split with Union College (KY). Reinhardt lost 2-0 and won 6-5. Reinhardt (32-11-1, 10-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Columbia College (SC) Tuesday in a conference doubleheader, hosts a doubleheader with Truett-McConnell College Thursday, and travels to St. Andrews (NC) for their final regular season conference doubleheader Sunday. LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands College (Sophomore, SS, Cass HS). . . the Chargers’ shortstop had a productive weekend at the plate going 6-for-11. She had a pair of doubles, scored three runs, and drove in two runs. Womack drew two walks, added a sacrifice hit, and was hit by a pitch. Her season batting average has now risen to .310 through 40 games with 15 RBIs, 21 runs, and four stolen bases. GHC (34-10, 15-7) is in a virtual tie atop the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings. Georgia Military has one less loss at 14-6 in the conference. The Chargers wrap up the conference regular season this weekend with home doubleheaders Friday and Saturday against East Georgia and South Georgia. TRACK AND FIELD ANNA HIGHTOWER — Georgia Tech (Sophomore, Cartersville HS). . . placed 11th in the pole vault at the University of Tennessee Relays this weekend with a mark of 12 feet-1.5 inches (3.70m). Next for the Yellow Jackets is the Georgia Tech Invitational April 21-22. TENNIS PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Sophomore, Cartersville resident, Laurel Springs Academy). . . paired with Carmen Blanco at Line 2 doubles Saturday in a Lady Cards’ 6-1 home win over Eastern Michigan. The two paired again Sunday to win at Line 1 doubles, 7-6 to help the Cardinals to a 5-2 team victory at Toledo. Gollhofer lost her Line 2 singles match at University of Toledo, falling 6-3, 6-4 to Sidnay Huck. Ball State (18-2, 6-0 Mid-America Conference) plays a conference match at Miami-Ohio Friday in Oxford, OH. Did we miss someone this week? Help us! Send the information via our 'Contact' page link above or send us an email to: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. We will verfiy the information and add your favorite local athlete's information to our updates.

13th ANNUAL ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN DUCK DASH 5K & FUN RUN CARTERSVILLE, Ga. ----- On Friday, May 5, runners will lace up their running shoes for the 13th Annual Advocates for Children Duck Dash. Registration for the twilight run has already started for the event that will benefit Advocates for Children. Presented by Northside Bank, along with additional race sponsors Gary Fox, CPA and Mockingbird Dental, the race will kick off the weekend of the Duck Derby. The 5K chip timed race will take off at 7 p.m. from the track at Cartersville Middle School at 825 Douthit Ferry Road, with the Fun Run for children starting at about 7:45 p.m. On-site registration will begin at 6 p.m. the evening of the race. Participants in the 5K and children participating in the Fun Run will receive an exclusive race t-shirt. The 5K course is considered fast and flat with some rolling hills and the overall elevation is about a 2 percent change. The Fun Run course, which is designed for children, measures about 1 mile and is open to children 12 years of age and younger. Runners, or walkers, may preregister by visiting the Advocates for Children website, www.AdvoChild.org/DuckDash. Early bird registration for the 5K is $25; regular registration for the 5K is $35. Fun Run early bird registration is $10 for children 12 and under; or $15 closer to the race. Early registration pricing is available until April 26, 2017. All proceeds from the race benefit Advocates for Children and its efforts to prevent and treat child abuse in all its forms. The Bartow County-based nonprofit provides direct care to children from birth to age 18 who have been victims of abuse and neglect. In addition, the organization offers preventive and educational programming that focuses on crucial elements of family wellness. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide resources, care and encouragement to children and families. For more information about Advocates for Children, call 770.387.1143 or visit www.AdvoChild.org. ### About Advocates for Children: Advocates for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse in all its forms. Through state and nationally recognized programs, Advocates works to create a world where all children are respected and loved, happy and thriving. A strong base of support allows our team to respond readily to those who need our help in Bartow County, and surrounding North Georgia areas. To learn more about Advocates for Children and the services offered, call 770.387.1143 or visit www.AdvoChild.org.

The Cartersville High School baseball team holds steady at the No. 5 spot in Class AAAA in the April 9 release of the Georgia Dugout Preview Magazine statewide poll. Four teams from Cartersville's region, LaGrange, Troup, Cartersville, and Cedartown are all ranked in the Top Ten. LaGrange is No. 2, Troup is No. 3, and Cedartown is No. 7. In Class AAAAA where Woodland and Cass compete, their region foe Carrollton is ranked No. 2 with Kell receiving consideration. In Adairsville's Class AAA, Region 6AAA opponent Ringgold is ranked No. 2. Coahulla Creek, North Murray, and Calhoun are all teams considered for the Top Ten. LINK TO RANKINGS: http://georgiadugoutpreview.com/morefpinfo.php?rid=309&page=polls&catg=&titleid= Photo: Stuart Chester, head coach Cartersville High School baseball

Final results for Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players for tour events ending Sunday, April 9. 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. PGA TOUR Russell Henley, part of the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy group of players, moved up ten spots on the leaderboard Sunday in Augusta with a final round 69 to finish 1-under-par and tie for 11th. Henley shot rounds of 71-76-71-69 at the Masters, one week after qualifying by winning the Shell Houston Open. It was his fourth Masters appearance and his best-ever finish. Previously, Henley missed the cut in 2013, tied for 31st in 2014, and was 21st in 2015. Hudson Swafford, another SHGA player at the Masters, missed the cut with rounds of 77-76. The PGA Tour moves to Hilton Head, SC this week and the Harbour Town Golf Links for the RBC Heritage. COLLEGIATE CONNECTION AT THE MASTERS Cartersville and Bartow County had one other connection at the Masters. Oklahoma University golfer Brad Dalke shot a 78-75 in the first two rounds of the Masters, but the amateur missed the cut. His collegiate assistant coach is Jim Garren of Cartersville. The sophomore will also be exempt to play in this year's U.S. Open and the next five U.S. Amateur Championships after finishing runner-up at the 2016 U.S. Amateur. PGA CHAMPIONS TOUR On the PGA Champions Tour, SHGA-player Joe Durant was off this past week after his 11th place finish at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in Biloxi, MS the week before. The PGA Champions Tour tees it up this week at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, April 14-16 at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA. WEB.COM TOUR The next event on the Web.com Tour is the United Leasing & Finance Championship at Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana April 20-23. Casey Wittenberg will lead several SHGA players at that event. He is currently fifth on the Web.com Tour's money list with one win. LPGA TOUR Brooke Pancake represents the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy on the LPGA Tour. The 2013 LPGA Rookie of the Year has one event played this year. She tied for 47th at the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic in January. The LPGA is in Hawaii this week at Ko Olina Golf Club for the LOTTE Championship.

The Adairsville Lady Tigers’ soccer team won at Trion Friday, 2-0. Emily Collum scored in the third minute and Lauren Stephenson added a goal in the 12th minute for an early Adairsville lead. Collum scored on a penalty kick following a handball. Stephenson found the back of the net from the top of the box. Regular goalkeeper Havyn Isaac played the field, allowing Lex Jackson to pick up a shutout in goal in the Lady Tigers’ strong defensive effort. The Adairsville girls (10-3, 5-2 Region 6AAA) host Ringgold Tuesday at 5:30pm. With a win against Ringgold, the Lady Tigers will clinch a state playoff berth for the fifth-consecutive season. Adairsville has regular season games remaining at home against Model Thursday (non-region) and at Calhoun the following Thursday. Both are set for 5:30pm kickoffs.

The Georgia Highlands College baseball team swept a doubleheader Saturday at South Georgia State to take three of four games in their series this week with the Hawks. The Chargers won 8-2 and 8-7 Saturday to go with last Tuesday’s 6-1 win over the Hawks at LakePoint. South Georgia State won the second game of the series Friday night, 9-6. In the three games Friday and Saturday, John White was 5-for-10, scored five runs and drove in a run. Nick Piccapietra was 6-for-12 with one RBI. Caleb McElwaney went 4-for-11, scored four runs, and drove in three in the three games over the weekend. Brandon Bell was 4-for-11 with a pair of RBIs. Devin Bilardello was also 4-for-11 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Matt Vaccaro finished the three games at South Georgia 3-for-12 with a three run homer and five RBIs. Colby Taylor and Britt Buckelew picked up the two pitching wins. Taylor pitched into the fourth inning in Saturday's first game, allowed only one earned run on five hits, and fanned one Hawks batter. Buckelew got the second win Saturday by working the final two shutout innings in relief during an 8-7 win. Matthew Norton was saddled with Friday night's loss when he did not get through the first inning and the Chargers dropped a 9-6 decision. With the series win, the Chargers move into a tie for third in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings with a 7-5 mark. The series also marks the mid-point of the conference schedule for Georgia Highlands. GHC is 27-14 overall. Gordon College currently leads the GCAA with a 9-3 conference record, followed by East Georgia at 11-5, Georgia Highland and Andrew College are 7-5, South Georgia State is 5-7, ABAC 5-11, and West Georgia Tech is 4-12. The top six teams at the end of the regular season will play in the GCAA Championship Tournament at LakePoint the second week in May. The regular season winner earns an automatic bid to the NJCAA District Tournament as will the tournament champion. If the regular season winner is also the tournament champion, then the second NJCAA bid goes to the tournament runner-up.

The Georgia Highlands College softball team split a conference doubleheader at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Saturday to keep pace with GCAA leader Georgia Military in the conference standings. The Chargers (34-10 overall, 15-7 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) remain only one game behind GMC (16-6) in conference play. ABAC took the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader 7-4, but GHC took the second game 9-4. The Chargers fell behind 5-1 in the third inning of the opener and were unable to recover. GHC cut the lead to 5-3 in the fifth inning on Shayla Smith’s second home run of the season, but ABAC answered with two runs in the sixth. Georgia Highlands loaded the bases in the seventh inning and tacked on one more run, but were unable to assert further damage in a 7-4 loss. The Chargers turned it around in the second game behind the arm of pitcher Micayla McCoy. The freshman tossed a complete game allowing four runs (only one earned). GHC pounded out eleven hits and took advantage of nine walks and four hit batsmen in the 9-4 victory. Andria Booth led Georgia Highlands with a 4-for-6 day that included a triple, a walk, and a pair of stolen bases. Hannah Wills (pictured) was 3-for-7 with a walk. Shayla Smith finished the day 3-for-7 with a double, a home run and two walks. Brianna Fickes rifled her 18th home run of the year in the second game. The homer extends her career record to 31. Next for the Chargers are home conference doubleheaders against East Georgia and South Georgia at Stars Field this Friday and Saturday. Saturday's matchup with South Georgia will also be the Chargers’ sophomore night. The East Georgia doubleheader Friday is set for 4pm. The Saturday games with South Georgia will begin at 3pm. All games for the final two doubleheaders will be free to the public. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the sophomores’ final home games. Stars Field is located at 2200 Joe Frank Harris Parkway in Cartersville, GA behind Stars Pre-K.

Cartersville defeated Centennial 5-0 Saturday afternoon at LakePoint with a five-pitcher, combined one-hitter to go 4-0 in the Perfect Game Rawlings Select Classic #3 and the Hurricanes were named champions of the event. With both Cartersville and Sandy Creek playing in Region 5AAAA, the two teams opted to not face one another in a non-region bracket championship game for the Rawlings event. Cartersville finished as the only undefeated team in the tournament when Sandy Creek lost to Johns Creek Saturday in their final game of the event. In addition to Saturday’s win, Cartersville defeated Walnut Grove 10-2, Dunwoody 8-1, and Pepperell 10-0 to sweep their four games in the tournament. Saturday afternoon, the Canes were led by strong mound performances with five pitchers combining to one-hit the Centennial Knights of Roswell. Jacob Fowler (4 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 4K) started on the bump and picked up the pitching win. Levi Ayers (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 3BB, 1K), Jake Gooch (1.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 4K), Curtis Wilkes (0.0 IP, 2BB), and Jake Norris (0.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB) also contributed to the combined one-hit, shutout. Anthony Seigler doubled, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch in the first inning to give the Canes a 1-0 lead. In the third inning, Fowler singled with Seigler and Noah Daniel coming around to score to give Cartersville a 3-0 advantage after a Knights’ error on the play. The Hurricanes then took advantage of three straight walks to start the fifth inning. Daniel’s lined a double into left field that put Cartersville ahead 5-0. Daniel finished the game 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and scored a run. Seigler scored three runs on a double and two walks. Fowler finished with a hit and one RBI. Devin Warner, limited to only a walk in the final game, was named tournament MVP for Cartersville after hitting .500 in the four games with a .733 on base percentage, a home run, six RBIs and five runs scored. Centennial falls to 10-12 on the year with the loss. Cartersville (19-6, 5-2 Region 5AAAA) returns to region action Tuesday at Richard Bell Field when they host Chapel Hill at 5:55pm. The Canes also have games at Cedartown Thursday and will host LaGrange Friday. Cartersville currently trails the Grangers by one game in the region standings with five region games remaining.

Adairsville’s Sam Seaman gave the Tigers a strong pitching performance in his start Friday night against Coahulla Creek at home, but the visiting Colts were able to scratch out single runs in the final two innings to defeat the Tigers, 2-0. Seaman (file photo, left) went six and one-third innings and scattered eight hits and a walk. He struck out four. Chase Powell retired the final two outs of the seventh and fanned one Coahulla Creek batter. On the other side of the ledger, the Colts’ Eli Turso and Trent Collins combined for a five hit shutout of Adairsville. Turso struck out six and walked two in five innings of work. Collins got the win in relief, allowing only a pair of hits in the sixth and seventh frames. Collins fanned two. A pair of two out singles, a wild pitch, and a passed ball accounted for the Colts’ run in the sixth inning. Coahulla Creek then used two singles, a walk and a wild pitch for their insurance run in the seventh. Adairsville threatened to score in the sixth inning when Noah Dutton singled, stole second, and reached third on a groundout. The Tigers, however, were unable to do any further damage in the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Adairsville had the tying runs reach base. Garrett Mishoe and Dylan Hightower both singled and reached second and third base after a passed ball, but the Tigers could not do no further damage. Ethan Whaley and Donavan Sims led Coahulla Creek with two hits each. Dutton had two hits for the Tigers. Halen Huskins, Mishoe, and Hightower had the only other Adairsville hits. Coahulla Creek is 15-7 overall and 9-2 in Region 6AAA with their win. The Colts remain tied for second in the region, one game behind Ringgold. Adairsville (8-15, 3-9) plays at Murray County in another Region 6AAA test Monday.

The Georgia Highlands College softball team swept Andrew College Friday in a pair of Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association games 9-5 and 9-0 (5 innings). Brianna Fickes (photo) led the Chargers' offense with a 3-for-5 performance that included three home runs, a grand slam, and three intentional walks. GHC trailed 5-1 in the opener, but Andria Booth tripled home two runs to bring the Chargers within two. Hannah Wills and Lauren Womack followed with a pair of doubles that narrowed the deficit to one. In the sixth inning, Shayla Smith reached on a hit and Fickes was intentionally walked. Shay Wooten made that decision pay with a three-run blast over the left field wall to put Georgia Highlands ahead, 7-5. The Chargers added two more insurance runs in the seventh to secure a complete game pitching win for Rebecca Meade. The hurler allowed five runs, two earned, on five hits, five walks, and seven strikeouts. In the second game, Fickes hit the second grand slam of her career to propel the Chargers to a 9-0 win in five innings. Micayla McCoy tossed a complete game shutout. She scattered five hits and two walks and fanned two. GHC is now 33-9 overall and 14-6 in the GCAA. The Chargers face ABAC in Tifton Saturday for a conference doubleheader that begins at 2pm. You can watch GHC softball games live at www.facebook.com/georgiahighlandscollegesoftball.