The Georgia High School Association board of trustees voted 5-3 on Monday in Thomaston to recommend that executive director Gary Phillips step down from his position at the end of the current school year. The full, 66-member executive committee will vote on the recommendation at a called meeting next Monday at the Thomaston-Upson County Civic Center. At this point, Phillips has declined to resign and has not commented to the media regarding the trustees’ vote. The recommendation by the GHSA trustees is in response to House Bill 415 and Senate Bill 203 which would replace the GHSA with a new statewide athletic governing entity. Senate Bill 203 was authored by 14th District senator Bruce Thompson of Cartersville. He represents portions of Cherokee, Bartow and Cobb counties. LINK to Senate Bill 203 — http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/SB/203 Thompson referenced over sixty complaints from districts all over the state when drafting SB 203. Sponsor Greg Kirk of Georgia Senate District 13 told reporters in his home district that includes Sumter County that there seems to be a lack of accountability in the GHSA that needs to be addressed. The bill was drafted on February 17 and was presented to the Georgia Senate on February 21. Atlanta Journal-Constitution related story — http://highschoolsports.blog.ajc.com/2017/02/27/ghsa-board-votes-5-3-to-recommend-ousting-executive-director-phillips/

Five star quarterback Trevor Lawrence of Cartersville High School remains the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2018 according to the latest release by Rivals.com. Lawrence (6-5, 200) has led the Canes to back-to-back state titles as a sophomore and a junior and 30 consecutive wins. Defensive back Patrick Surtain (American Heritage; Plantation, FL; 6-2, 183) is next on the list, followed by defensive end Xavier Thomas (IMG Academy; Bradenton, FL; 6-3, 255), offensive lineman Jackson Carman (Fairfield HS; Fairfield OH; 6-6, 305), and defensive end Micah Parsons (Harrisburg HS; Harrisburg, PA; 6-3, 235). The next highest rated Georgia player in the Class of 2018 is offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (Pace Academy; Atlanta, GA; 6-4, 305) RIVALS.com story and the complete list: https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals100/2018

Former Woodland softball standout Taylor Braselton and former Adairsville standout Taylor Weeks had big weeks again for their Reinhardt University softball team to highlight this week's fast pitch update of Athletes Beyond Bartow. On the baseball diamond, former Hurricanes standout Michael Goss had a productive week in games against Wake Forest and Michigan State. His current UNC-Greensboro teammate and former Canes' teammate, Jo Jo Underwood, hit his first homer of the year. Former Cass standout, Brandon Etheridge, also homered this week for Limestone College. Update for games through Monday, February 27, 2017 SOFTBALL BETHANY BALLARD — Armstrong State University (Senior, C, Cass HS). . . had an at bat as a pinch hitter in a 4-3 win Saturday over Spring Hill College (AL) at the Diamond 9 College Citrus Challenge in Orlando, FL. The Lady Pirates went 3-2 at the event. Armstrong State (10-5) starts Peach Belt Conference play this weekend with doubleheaders at Young Harris and at University of North Georgia. TAYLOR BRASELTON — Reinhardt University (Senior, SS, Woodland HS). . . (photo right) went 12-for-22 with a double, triple, and two RBIs in six games this past weekend as the Eagles went 5-1 hosting the Reinhardt Invitational. Braselton currently carries a .533 batting average. Reinhardt (9-5) has an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Point Universitiy Thursday and will play Avila College (MO), University of St. Thomas (MN), Spring Hill College (AL), and Ave Marie University (FL) at Gulf Shores, AL Friday and Saturday. SYDNEY FLOWERS — Reinhardt University (Senior, INF, Woodland HS). . . played in three of six games for the Eagles this weekend in the Reinhardt Inviational. She drew one walk in five official at bats. Reinhardt (9-5) has an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Point Universitiy Thursday and will play Avila College (MO), University of St. Thomas (MN), Spring Hill College (AL), and Ave Marie University (FL) at Gulf Shores, AL Friday and Saturday. CASSIDY HOWREN — Reinhardt University (Junior, C, Adairsville HS). . . started in four and played in a fifth game of the Reinhardt Invitational this past weekend where the Eagles were 5-1. She went 3-for-10 with a double and two RBIs. Reinhardt (9-5) has an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Point Universitiy Thursday and will play Avila College (MO), University of St. Thomas (MN), Spring Hill College (AL), and Ave Marie University (FL) at Gulf Shores, AL Friday and Saturday. SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Sophomore, C, Woodland HS). . . went hitless as a starter at third base in four games last week. The Panthers lost twice at Birmingham-Southern and twice at Judson College (AL). LaGrange (0-6) hosts doubleheaders with Judson College (AL) Wednesday, Piedmont College (GA) Saturday, and Salem College (NC) Sunday. TAYLOR WEEKS — Reinhardt University (Senior, INF, Adairsville HS). . . (photo left) went 5-for-19, scored seven runs, with a triple and two RBIs in six games this past weekend as the Eagles went 5-1 hosting the Reinhardt Invitational. Weeks has a .366 batting average in 12 starts this season. Reinhardt (9-5) has an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Point Universitiy Thursday and will play Avila College (MO), University of St. Thomas (MN), Spring Hill College (AL), and Ave Marie University (FL) at Gulf Shores, AL Friday and Saturday. LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands College (Sophomore, SS, Cass HS). . . went 1-for-4 in a pair of conference losses at Georgia Military College Saturday. The Chargers also swept a doubleheader with Gordon State this past Thursday. GHC (18-5 overall, 2-2 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) plays GCAA doubleheaders at home against Andrew College Friday and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Saturday. BASEBALL ELLIOTT ANDERSON — Auburn University (Freshman, LHP, Cartersville HS). . . after working a spotless inning in his college debut against George Washington in the Tigers season opener February 17, Anderson struggled in his second outing last Wednesday against Florida A&M. He allowed three earned runs on a pair of hits and two walks and did not record an out in a 12-8 win by Auburn. The Tigers (7-1) host Samford Tuesday and a three-game series with Lipscomb Friday through Sunday. BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (Junior, OF/P, Cass HS). . . (photo left) . . had a hit, scored a run, and had one RBI in a reserve appearance at Lander University February 22 that was a Saints’ 10-9 loss. He then started two of three games in a home series with Barton College (NC) and was 2-for-7 with a solo home run and a walk. Etheridge has appeared in 10 games and started six with a .273 batting average. Limestone (11-6 overall, 2-1 Conference Carolinas) hosts Anderson University Tuesday and Lenioir-Rhyne University Wednesday before traveling to Pfeiffer University (NC) Friday and Saturday for a three-game conference series. CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (Freshman, OF, Cartersville HS). . . entered to play left field and had a hit in a 16-7 conference loss in the first game of a doubleheader at 18th-ranked Francis Marion Saturday. He then pinch hit, walked, scored a run and played left field in a 7-4 win in Saturday’s second game. Augusta (5-7, 1-2 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Newberry College (SC) Wednesday and has a three-game, home conference series with Georgia Southwestern Friday and Saturday. TY FOWLER — Tennessee Wesleyan College (Senior, RHP, Cartersville HS). . . allowed a pair of runs on a hit and a walk and did not record an out in a relief appearance during an 8-5 loss at 5th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College last Wednesday. Fowler (1-0) has worked six innings in four appearances with one start and carries an ERA of 2.45. The NAIA 4th-ranked Bulldogs (9-7) travel to Cumberland University Wednesday and will host their opening Appalachian Athletic Conference series vs. Montreat College Friday and Saturday. MICHAEL GOSS — UNC-Greensboro (Senior, 1B, Cartersville HS). . . (photo right) . .went 1-for-3 in a 15-8 loss at Wake Forest last week and was 6-for-12 with a pair of homeruns, a walk, four runs scored, and five RBIs in a home, weekend series with Michigan State. Goss has started all seven games and is hitting .333 with six RBIs. UNCG (2-5) plays NC State at home Tuesday, hosts High Point Wednesday, and entertains Maryland-Eastern Shore in a three-game weekend series that begins Friday. SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Sophomore, 1B, Adairsville HS). . . went 2-for-4 with a homerun, a walk, and two RBIs in a 5-4 home loss to Gordon State College last Tuesday. McDermott, who has committed to Mercer University next season, has a .481 batting average with 10 RBIs and nine runs scored in seven games this season. The Cougars (6-2-1) have a three-game, conference series at Roane State CC Friday and Saturday. JO JO UNDERWOOD — UNC-Greensboro (Senior, 3B, Cartersville HS). . . (photo right) . . had a hit in his only official at bat and scored a run in a 15-8 loss at Wake Forest February 21. He also hit a solo homerun Saturday in a 22-16 home loss to Michigan State and was 0-for-4 in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Michigan State. Underwood has played in five games and started four. UNCG (2-5) plays NC State at home Tuesday, hosts High Point Wednesday, and entertains Maryland-Eastern Shore in a three-game weekend series that begins Friday. TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Junior, OF, Adairsville HS). . . went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in a home loss last Tuesday to Lee University. He then played in two of three losses last weekend to 5th-ranked USC-Aiken, starting Sunday’s game in centerfield. He was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in the USC-Aiken series. Washington has a .304 batting average through 10 games played and five starts this season. Young Harris (3-11, 0-3 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Cedarville University Wednesday and Thursday in non-conference action. EDITORS NOTE: An update for other current collegiate and pro sports was published in a separate article this week. Did we miss someone this week? If we did, please let us know. Use the 'Contact' link at the top of this page or send an email to: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. A full listing of current local athletes is available on this website on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page.

EMERSON, GA. (February 24, 2017) - LakePoint Sports is excited to announce their first- ever branded grassroots basketball tournament at the state-of-the-art Champions Center. The LakePoint Tip-Off Classic will take place March 11-12, 2017 and will offer elite competition for teams from around the state of Georgia and the Southeast. LakePoint continues to broaden its services by offering this inaugural event. The Tip-Off Classic will be a tournament of both boys and girls teams from grades 4-9. Young athletes, their coaches, and spectators alike will experience basketball at its best in this first annual event which is sure to be an exciting, action-packed weekend of basketball. The registration cost for the Tip-Off Classic is $250 per team, with multi-team discounts available. Each registered team will have a guarantee of 3 games; pool play and single elimination bracket play will follow. To make it easier for programs to register their teams, LakePoint offers registration on its website or through Tourney Machine. The deadline to register your team for this inaugural event is March 6. LakePoint will announce the tournament schedule on March 9. LakePoint Sports is committed to building and cultivating a rich tradition of competitive youth basketball. The Champions Center indoor facility is one of the few in the nation that can provide the breadth of features and amenities for athletes, coaches and families who are committed to improving their performance while having fun in a safe, state-of-the-art facility. For more information on the LakePoint Tip-Off Classic, contact Ryan Blumenthal at Ryan.Blumenthal@LakePointSports.com or (404) 263-0468.

Final results for Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players for tour events ending Sunday, February 26. 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 CCC 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. SHGA players on the PGA Tour Results from The Honda Classic PGA National (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, FL Winner: Rickie Fowler -- 66-66-65-71 --- 268 (-12) Aaron Baddeley -- Did not play Steven Bowditch -- 75-72 -- missed cut Will Claxton -- Did not play, medical Russell Henley -- 68-68-70-74 -- 280 (Even); tied for 43rd Charles Howell III -- 69-69-70-74 -- 282 (+2); tied for 52nd Chris Kirk -- Did not play Ben Martin -- Did not play Scott Stallings -- 67-68-71-71 -- 277 (-3); tied for 21st Hudson Swafford -- 69-75 -- missed cut Brendon Todd -- Did not play Boo Weekley -- 72-67-71-71 -- 281 (+1); tied for 48th Next PGA Tour event: March 2-5 -- World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship Club de Golf Chapultepec, Mexico City, Mexico. SHGA player on PGA Champions Tour Results from Chubb Classic, Naples, FL Friday Feb 17 - Sunday Feb 19 Winner: Fred Couples -- 68-65-67 -- 200 (-16) Joe Durant -- 69-70-68 -- 207 (-9); tied for 10th NOTE: The WEB.com Tour continues play March 23.

Some levels of college basketball have already begun post-season conference tournament play while others are winding down their regular season schedules. This Athletes Beyond Bartow update also includes results for local college athletes in track and field for the week ending Sunday, February 26. NOTE: The updates for collegiate softball and baseball will be available in a separate release this week. TRACK AND FIELD MILES BEARDEN — Kansas State University (Senior, Cartersville resident, Darlington HS). . . placed 10th (6’-05.00” / 1.96m) in the high jump at the Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships this past weekend in Ames, IA. The NCAA Indoor Championships are March 9-11 and then the outdoor season begins for KSU March 25 at the Miami Hurricane Invitational. AUBREE COLE — Jacksonville State University (Freshman, Cartersville HS). . . ran 11:18.09 in the 3000 meters to place 37th at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships this past weekend in Charleston, IL. The next meet for JSU is the Gamecock Quad on March 11. ANNA HIGHTOWER — Georgia Tech (Sophomore, Cartersville HS). . . finished 16th (3.81m / 12’-06”) in the pole vault at the Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Championships this past weekend at Notre Dame’s Loftus Sports Center. The NCAA Indoor Championships are March 9-11 and then the outdoor season begins for the Yellow Jackets at home March 17 with the Yellow Jacket Invitational. SAMANTHA PATTERSON — Jacksonville State University (Junior, Woodland HS). . . placed third with a mark of 11’9.25” (3.59m) at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships this past weekend in Charleston, IL. The next meet for JSU is the Gamecock Quad on March 11. BLAKE PERRY — Jacksonville State University (Junior, Cartersville HS). . . was 11th in preliminaries in the 60m hurdles (8.96) and was 12th in the triple jump (37’-8” / 11.48m) at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships this past weekend in Charleston, IL. The next meet for JSU is the Gamecock Quad on March 11. SWIM ELISE HART -- Air Force Academy (Junior, Cartersville HS). . . Hart was one of four members of the Air Force women's swimming team named to the 2016-17 Mountain West all-conference team. She joined senior Genevieve Miller, junior Jinan Andrews, and freshman Lydia Knutson on the team of honors. Hart placed eighth in the 100 fly at the Mountain West Conference Championships with a time of 54.76. The Falcons set new records in the 200 and 400 medley relay and the 200 free relay. Air Force also posted six swims that were the second fastest in school history. Fourteen swimmers scored in the meet, the most in school history. BASKETBALL SYDNEY BOYD — Brewton-Parker College (Sophomore, G, Woodland HS). . . scored two points in each game during losses to Brenau last Thursday 69-45 and Middle Georgia State on Saturday, 73-55. She is averaging just over two points and four rebounds in 19 games played this season for the Lady Barons. BPC (9-16 overall, 6-14 Southern States Athletic Conference) is the No. 9 seed at the SSAC Championship Tournament at will face No. 8 MIddle Georgia at 10am Wednesday in Montgomery, AL EMMANUEL HOLLOWAY — UU Korihait Uusikaupunki - Finnish Pro League (G, Illinois State, Woodland HS). . . scored 13 points with two rebounds and three assists in an 81-70 loss to Kauhajoki last Wednesday. He then scored 16 points with three rebounds and an assist in a 90-69 loss to Kataja Basketball last Friday. UUKU (4-25) has now lost 17 in a row. They host Pyrinto Wednesday and play at KTP Basketball Friday. A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Junior, G, Cartersville HS). . . scored 19 points with seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal at Southern University Saturday in a 68-67 win. He scored 8 points with two rebounds and four assists in a home 74-59 win over Alabama A&M last Monday. Alcorn State (16-11, 13-3 Southwestern Athletic Conferece) plays at Texas Southern Thursday and at Prairie View A&M Saturday. The SWAC Tournament begins March 7. ADRIAN RODGERS — Malbas Oresund - Swedish Pro League (G, Cartersville native, Centennial HS, Southern University). . . scored 22 points and collected five rebounds in an 89-72 loss last Tuesday at Sodertalje. He scored nine points and dished out three assists in a 90-55 home loss to Uppsala Basketball last Friday. Malbas Oresund (2-24) plays at Jamtland Basketball Friday. COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS). . . in three games at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, Tobin totaled 17 points and 17 rebounds with three assists, a blocked shot, and three steals as the Eagles defeated Bryan College 78-71 and Allen University 92-80 to reach the AAC championship game. Reinhardt (22-8) lost to NAIA top-ranked Union College (KY) 85-58 in the conference finals, but will still advance to the NAIA national tournament in Point Lookout, MO, March 8-14. CARROD WATSON — University North Georgia (R-Freshman, F/C, Woodland HS). . . played seven minutes and grabbed three rebounds in a 95-78 loss at Young Harris College last Wednesday. The Nighthawks had their season end Saturday with an 87-83 Peach Belt Conference Tournament loss at North Carolina-Pembroke. UNG finished the year with a 15-14 record. HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Sophomore, F, Cartersville HS). . . scored 20 points with nine rebounds, a steal, a blocked shot, and an assist in a 74-69 loss to Allen University last Tuesday in Kingsport, TN that knocked the Skyhawks out of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament. Point finished the season 2-28. Winters averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He started 18 games and played in 27. He was second on his team with 15 blocked shots. Did we miss someone this week? If we did, please let us know. Use the 'Contact' link at the top of this page or send an email to: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. A full listing of current local athletes is available on this website on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page.

The Georgia Highlands College baseball team was swept in a doubleheader Saturday at LakePoint by visiting Sinclair State (OH) in the final two games of a three-game series. The Chargers won the series opener Friday night 6-3, but the Tartan Pride won Saturday 8-7 and 7-5. Sinclair State scored seven runs in the first three innings of Saturday’s first game and although the Chargers mounted a challenge, they still fell by a run. Brandon Henson, Colin Shepherd, and Trevor Hafner combined for six hits, six RBIs, and three runs scored in the top three spots of the Tartan Pride order. Matt Vaccro had a thee-hit game that included a homerun, a double, and two RBIs for Georgia Highlands. Bronco O’Brien (HR, 2 RBIs), Jake Ferentinos, Josh Kiser (RBI), Brandon Bell (double, RBI), and John White had the other Chargers’ hits. In the second game, GHC and Sinclair State swapped the lead back-and-forth before the Tartan Pride prevailed 7-5 in 13 innings. Aaron Harlamert singled home the game-winning run for Sinclair State in the top of the 13th. Austin Elmore followed the go-ahead run with an insurance run RBI single and the visitors held on for a two-run win. Henson had three hits in the second game with a run batted in for Sinclair State. Blaze Glenn had two RBIs and walked twice in a 1-for-3 plate performance. White had three hits for the Chargers, including a double and a triple. Nick Fink was 2-for-4 with a pair of walks. Bell hit a two-run homerun in the second inning. Caleb McElwaney, Nick Piccapietra, and Devin Bilardello had the other GHC hits. John Cheatwood, the fourth pitcher used by the Tartan Pride, worked scoreless relief innings in the 11th through the 13th frames to pick up the pitching win. Britt Buckelew (2 IP, 2ER, 2H, 1BB, 5K) was saddled with the pitching loss for the Chargers who worked six pitchers. This was the opening series of the 2017 season for Sinclair State. The Saturday sweep gives them a 2-1 mark for the year. Georgia Highlands (6-8) hosts a doubleheader with Roane State CC (TN) Tuesday at LakePoint at 3pm. The Chargers will then host Cuyahoga CC (OH) for single games Friday and Saturday and will play a pair of games against Macomb CC (MI) on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

The Georgia Highlands College softball team lost twice Saturday to 20th-ranked Georgia Military College in Milledgeville in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association action. The Chargers lost the opener 1-0 and fell 14-5 in five innings in the second game. Rebecca Meade shutout GMC for six and one-third innings, but the Bulldogs strung together a couple of hits to plate the game’s only run in walk-off fashion off Micayla McCoy for the one-run conference victory. In Game 2, Georgia Highlands managed five runs, but the Bulldogs’ offense was clicking on all cylinders to secure a nine-run win. Georgia Military improved to 16-3 overall and 3-0 in the GCAA. The Chargers (18-5, 2-2) are scheduled to travel to Southern Union CC (AL) for non-conference games Tuesday and will return to GCAA play Friday and Saturday at home against Andrew College and Abraham Baldwin College.

The Adairsville Tigers baseball team was swept in a doubleheader Saturday at Jones County, 7-2 and 18-17. In the high scoring second game loss, Adairsville out hit the Greyhounds 17 to eight, but gave up 10 runs over the last two innings to be edged by a run. The Tigers were also guilty of stranding 11 men on base. Taylor Whitley had a 7-RBI game on three hits. Sam Seaman, who also started the game on the mound, finished with a 4-for-5 game and 5 RBIs. Corey Nation was 4-for-5 and Kyler Pelfrey was 3-for-5 for the Tigers. Garrett Mishoe had two hits and Halen Huskins added a hit. In Adairsville's 7-2 loss, the Tigers scored both of their runs in the top of the first inning. Jones County also scored twice in the opening frame and then added two-run innings in the third and fifth plus a single run in the fourth. Adairsville out hit the Greyhounds seven to five, but Jones County took advantage of four walks and five Tigers’ errors to score four unearned runs. Pelfrey and Whitley both had two hits for Adairsville. Hunter Hice (RBI), Nation, and Huskins had the other Tigers’ hits. Justin Green contributed an RBI. Jones County improved to 4-2 with the two wins. Adairsville (0-5) travels to Rome Wednesday for a 5:30pm start and plays at North Cobb Saturday at 1pm.

After starting the 2017 season with five consecutive wins, the Cass Colonels suffered a pair of closely contested losses on the baseball diamond Saturday at the Cass High School athletic complex. Despite holding leads in both games, Cass lost by one run to both Rockmart and Alexander. ROCKMART 9, CASS 8 The Colonels lost for the first time this season Saturday morning in a back-and-forth battle with visiting Rockmart. The Class AA 7th-ranked Yellow Jackets took a 4-0 lead in the second inning, but Cass posted five runs in the bottom of the third to regain the lead. Rockmart went back ahead 6-5 in the fourth and the Colonels scored twice in the fifth to lead 7-6. Rockmart’s three-run sixth inning gave them a 9-7 lead and Cass managed only one more run in the bottom of the sixth for a 9-8 final. Cass out hit Rockmart 10 to 7, but did not make that difference show on the scoreboard. Evan Hinton (2 RBI), Bailey Campbell, and Jake Collum had two hits each for the Colonels. Cody Johnson, who suffered the pitching loss by working the sixth and seventh innings on the mound, drove in one run with one hit. Steven Spell also had a hit and Zach Yancey finished with two RBIs. ALEXANDER 6, CASS 5 In their second tight game of the day, the Colonels were edged by visiting Alexander 6-5. Cass led 3-0 after two innings and 5-2 at the end of the fourth inning, but the Cougars scored three in the fifth and the game-winner in the top of the seventh to slip past the Colonels. Jake Collum had a two-hit game that included a double and scored a run for Cass. Nathan Smith drove in a pair of runs and was 1-for-3. Zach Yancey and Tyler Hendon had the only other Cass base hits, although the Colonels drew five walks. Three Cougars had two-hit games: Matthew Rhodes, Zach Smith (2 RBI), and Gavin Harmon (RBI). Payton Grant (3.2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 5K) picked up the pitching win for Alexander in relief of Braden Racka (3.1 IP, 4ER, 3H, 4BB, 3K). Collum (2 IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 3K) was saddled with the pitching loss in relief. Yancey (5 IP, 5R, 4ER, 8H, 3BB, 4K) was the Colonels’ starter on the mound. Alexander, who also beat Hiram 12-0 Saturday afternoon at Cass, improved to 3-2 on the year. Cass (5-2) hosts Sonoraville Tuesday at 5:55pm, River Ridge Wednesday at 5:55pm, and Heritage Friday at 5:55pm.

The Purple Hurricanes' baseball team took on a pair of tough, Class 7A opponents Saturday at Parkview High School and came away with a solid win over Collins Hill before losing for the first time this season to host Parkview, 7-3. The Class AAAA Canes, in their 4-0 start prior to Saturday's twin bill, had already knocked off the No. 1 team in Class AAAAAAA, Walton. On Saturday, they faced the 5th-ranked team in Class AAAAAAA Collins Hill and the 3rd-ranked team in Class AAAAAAA, Parkview. CARTERSVILLE 4, COLLINS HILL 1 The Canes won their fifth straight game to open the 2017 season Saturday afternoon over Class 7A Collins Hill in a game played at Parkview High School. Anthony Seigler homered in the bottom of the first to give Cartersville an early lead, but Collins Hill tied the game with a run in the top of the third. The Canes scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. Spencer Dickey tripled to centerfield and Preston Welchel drove him home with an RBI double. Devin Warner then doubled to right field to score Welchel. Cartersville added a run in the sixth inning when Welchel reached on an error and Anthony Seigler doubled him home with a liner into centerfield. Dickey finished 2-for-2 and scored a run. Welchel was 2-for-3, scored twice and drove home a run. Noah Daniel was 2-for-3 and Seigler was 2-for-3 with a walk, run scored, and two RBIs. Devin Warner had the other Canes’ hit and had one RBI. Mason Barnett (2.1 IP, 1ER 3H, 2BB, 2K) started the game on the mound. Levi Ayers (1.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 1K), Dickey (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 1K), and Seigler (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K) also pitched. Seigler closed out the seventh for a save. The loss dropped Collins Hill to 3-3 on the year. PARKVIEW 7, CARTERSVILLE 3 The Hurricanes lost for the first time this season Saturday night at Parkview, 7-3. The Panthers, who also beat Collins Hill earlier in the day 16-1 in five innings, remained unbeaten through three games. Parkview took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first and held that advantage until the top of the fifth when the Canes scored two runs to tie. The Panthers then responded with a four-run fifth and added another run in the sixth to take a 7-2 lead. Cartersville managed a run in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough. Georgia Southern commit, Braden Hays, scattered three hits and a walk with six strikeouts to earn the pitching victory for the Panthers. Although he gave up two runs, they were both unearned. Mason Bernard (2 IP, 1ER, 1H, 0BB, 3K) closed out the final two innings on the bump for Parkview. Anthony Seigler (3.1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 7K) started for Cartersville and was one of five pitchers used in the game by the Canes. Jake Norris (1.1 IP, 4R, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 2K), who entered for Seigler in the fourth inning, was tagged with the loss. Ian Inaba (1BB), Jake Gooch (0.1 IP, 1BB), and Harrison Osborn (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 2K) also saw time on the mound for the Canes. Logan Cerny, a Troy University commit, had a homerun and two RBI in a 2-for-3 performance that included a walk for Parkview. Robert Bennett also had two hits and one RBI for the Panthers. Seigler was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs to lead the Canes’ offense. J.P. Martin hit a homerun in the top of the seventh and Brant Smith had the only other Cartersville hit. Cartersville (5-1) plays at Lambert Tuesday and will host Buford on Friday.

The Woodland Wildcats baseball team swept a non-region doubleheader Saturday at Darlington for their sixth and seventh wins of the season. WOODLAND 2, DARLINGTON 0 WOODLAND 8, DARLINGTON 4 GAME 1 Woodland pitchers Grayson Bagwell and Trenton Harrison combined on a six-hit shutout Saturday afternoon to blank Darlington in a non-region diamond matchup, 2-0. Bagwell allowed only three hits and three walks in five innings of work on the mound. He struck out four. Harrison worked the final inning and two-thirds and scattered three hits with no walks and also recorded three strikeouts. Harrison and Cauy Williams drove in the Wildcats’ runs in the top of the first inning and the pitching and defense took care of the rest. Hunter Reaid, Toby Queen, and Williams had the only Woodland base hits. Queen’s was a double. The Wildcats drew four walks and had two batters reach as hit batsmen. GAME 2 The Wildcats won a back-and-forth affair in the second game, 8-4. Darlington held leads of 1-0 after one inning and 3-2 through the third inning, but Woodland kept coming back. Theh Wildcats took the lead for good in the fifth inning with a pair of runs to go up 4-3 and then scored four more times across the next two innings for an 8-4 victory. Cauy Williams (5.1 IP, 4ER, 7H, 6BB, 6K) got the pitching win by working into the sixth inning. Koby Stansel (1.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 2K) closed out the final five outs for a save. Bryce Evans was 2-for-3 with a double, run scored, and one RBI for Woodland. Emmanuel Jones and Garrett Cornett also had two hits. Cornett drew three walks in addition and Jones had one RBI. Jordan Lee (2 RBI), Jacob Frye (RBI), Williams, and Stansel (RBI) had the other Woodland hits. The loss dropped Darlington to 1-3 on the season. Woodland (7-1) plays at Calhoun Tuesday at 5pm and at Coosa Thursday at 4:30pm.