Adairsville’s Loren Harris threw a no-hitter Monday as her Lady Tigers shutout region opponent, North Murray, 8-0. Harris needed only 67 pitches to complete the five-inning no hitter. She struck out four and the Lady Tigers’ defense played well behind her. Adairsville did not commit an error. Only a pair of Mountaineer batters reached base in the contest, both in the top of the second inning when Harris hit a batter and walked one. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers’ offense provided six runs in the fourth and fifth frames to end the game in five innings. Adairsville took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run home run by Bailey Robinson. That lead would stand until Emily Collum hit another two-run blast in the fourth frame to give the Lady Tigers a 4-0 advantage. Adairsville closed out the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning with four more runs. With Robinson and Morgan DeBoard aboard on singles, Harris doubled in a run. Breeana Wilson reached on an error to drive home another run for a 6-0 lead. Harris and Wilson both later scored on a stolen base play that included a throwing error and Adairsville had an 8-0 victory via the GHSA mercy, run rule. Adairsville (3-3) continues a busy week on the diamond Tuesday when they host Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. The Lady Tigers then travel to Murray County Thursday and play in the LFO Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday.

Excel Christian Academy scored in every inning Monday on their way to an 11-0 five inning victory over visiting Model. ECA pounded out 14 hits on offense including five extra base hits. Meanwhile, the pitching combination of Hannah Lee (3 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 3K) and Taylor Gibson (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 3K) shut out the visiting Lady Blue Devils. The Lady Eagles scored a single run in the opening inning, then followed with three runs in the second, three in the third, and four in the fourth inning. Kalli Beth Scheff was 3-for-3 with a double at the plate and drove in three runs. Rachel Parrott had three hits that included a double and one RBI. Gibson contributed two hits and one RBI. Landry McCollum had a triple with two RBI. Lee (2 RBI), Kami Cooper, Lindsey Mauldin (stolen base), Brighton McCollum (double, RBI), and Aliza Baker (RBI) had the other hits for the Lady Eagles. Excel (3-3) hosts Gordon Central at 4:30pm next Monday (August 22) and Trion in a region game, August 25.

The Georgia High School Association unanimously approved a new set of pitch count rules in baseball at its fall executive committee meeting Monday in Macon. As part of a mandate by the National Federation of High Schools, the GHSA will limit pitchers to 110 pitches in a game. The pitcher will be allowed to finish the current at-bat before being replaced. Under previous rules, there were no pitch counts in Georgia and pitchers were limited to 10 innings per calendar day with a maximum of 14 innings in four consecutive calendar days. The new changes are effective immediately. "I think the pitch count rules can be a good thing," said Cartersville High School head coach Stuart Chester. "It's just important that everyone is held accountable and accurate with the record keeping." Rest for pitchers is a vital part of the new pitch count rules. If a pitcher throws 86 or more pitches, the pitcher is required to rest for three days. Pitchers throwing 61 to 85 pitches will be required to have two days of rest. Pitchers who throw 36 to 60 pitches are required to take a day of rest. No rest would be required for pitchers throwing 35 or less pitches. However, a pitcher would have to take a day off if he throws 60 pitches on consecutive days. The rule gets more complex in the postseason where pitchers won’t be allowed to throw more than 120 pitches in a series unless weather extends the series. Any pitcher who reaches 40 pitches or more in a single state tournament game will be restricted to the same days of rest as designated during the regular season. "The new rules won't bother us," concluded Chester. "We stay on a strict pitch count." It will be the responsibility of the official scorer (home and visitor) to maintain pitch count records. Violators will be subject to a $250 fine and a two-game suspension for the head coach. A second offense would net a $500 fine and a minimum suspension of four games. The coach would also have to be re-instated by the GHSA executive director. "I think the pitch count plan is a step in the right direction when it comes to the health of young arms," added Cass head coach Adam Williams. "Anything we can do to help players stay healthy is a great idea and one I can stand behind." Williams shared Chester's concerns, however, about how the record keeping will take place. "I feel as if there could be a better way to be more transparent, so that not only other coaches, but even parents could keep coaches accountable," Williams said. A proposal was also submitted to allow baseball teams to conduct tryouts during the fall. The proposal failed to pass out of the baseball committee. The other new item, previously approved by the GHSA, is the centralized sites for the 2017 State Championship series'. The state finals for each classification will be played at either State Mutual Stadium in Rome or at Golden Park in Columbus. The GHSA will place the games in one stadium or the other based on the participants in each championship series. "I'm not a fan of centralizing the state championships," said Canes' skipper Chester. "I think it is going to make travel costs go up for the participating schools, and regardless of whether we've been the home or away team in a finals, the championships are best at school sites." The GHSA cites items such as the large stadium seating capacities, adequate restroom and concessions facilities, and potential televising of the state finals as positives to centralizing baseball in a similar fashion to other sports. "I think it will bring even more exposure to the high school game." noted Williams. "As a coach I like it because it gives you a destination to the journey, similar to Omaha in the college game."

The "dog days" of summer are upon us and three MiLB players with local connections continue to toil with their respective clubs. Two locals appear to be shut down for the season, but Grant DeBruin, Sam Howard, and Connor Justus will continue through the month. DeBruin's Hagerstown Suns have also clinched a post-season berth due to their performance in the South Atlantic League's first half. Grant DeBruin — Hagerstown Suns — Class A, South Atlantic League — MLB Parent Club, Washington Nationals -- (Adairsville HS) The former Adairsville High School and University of Alabama-Huntsville standout has continued a steady rise in his batting average and offensive production in July and early August. He has hit safely in seven of his last ten games and is 5-for-9 with two doubles in his last three games against the Asheville Tourists. Through 57 games this season, DeBruin is now hitting .276 with four home runs and 27 RBIs at Hagerstown. DeBruin, 26, spent the first part of the year in extended spring training and was briefly at the Advanced Class A level with the Potomac Nationals. Hagerstown is 28-22 in the SAL second half, currently tied for the lead in the Northern Division with the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox affiliate) and one-half game ahead of the Lakewood BlueClaws (Phillies affiliate). Hagerstown already clinched a post-season spot by winning the division’s first half. Dalton Geekie — Rome Braves — Class A, South Atlantic League — MLB Parent Club, Atlanta Braves -- (Georgia Highlands College) Geekie is on the disabled list for the remainder of the season by the Braves and was forced to have Tommy John surgery after developing an issue in his elbow August 1. Geekie finished his first pro season with a 2-4 record and had a 5.16 ERA in 31 appearances in 2016. He had one save in his only save opportunity and worked 45 and 1/3 innings. Opponents had a .247 batting average against him. Rome is currently 28-22 in the South Atlantic League’s second half standings, in second place, four and one-half games behind the Southern Division leading Augusta GreenJackets (SF Giants affiliate). Sam Howard — Hartford Yard Goats — Double-A, Eastern League — MLB Parent Club, Colorado Rockies -- (Cartersville HS) Howard has now won four of his last six starts for the Yard Goats with victories July 17, July 27, August 3, and August 14. He had a no-decision performance July 22 and August 9 during that span. In his two most recent starts — August 9 and 14 — Howard was 1-1 and worked 10 and 2/3 innings. He allowed five earned runs on 13 hits in the two starts combined. He walked three and struck out 15. The 23-year-old former Canes and Georgia Southern University pitcher is now 8-9 on year after starting the season 4-3 with the Advanced Class A, Modesto Nuts of the California League. He has a 3.63 ERA in 23 starts and 129 innings. Opponents have a .255 batting average against him. The Yard Goats are 66-52 on the year and in third place in the Eastern League’s Eastern Division. They trail the Reading (PA) Fightin’ Phils by 11.5 games. Connor Justus — Burlington Bees — Class A, Midwest League — MLB Parent Club, Los Angeles Angels -- (Cartersville HS) After a fast start with the Rookie level Orem Owlz, Justus continued his rapid progress with a fast start with the Class A (full season) Burlington Bees of the Midwest League. The month of August, however, has been difficult at the Class A level for the former Cartersville Purple Hurricanes’ and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ shortstop. He has seen his batting average slip from over .300 in late July to .192 with Burlington as of August 14. Justus was selected in the fifth round of this year’s June MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. Justus’ batting average remains .275 through his 48 games as a professional combining his Orem and Burlington numbers. He has 11 extra base hits, including one home run and 27 RBIs. Defensively, Justus has a .924 fielding percentage in 192 total chances. He has been part of 23 double plays in 408 innings. The Burlington Bees are 25-24 in the second half standings of the Midwest League’s Western Division and are 57-62 overall in 2016. The Bees are currently nine games back of division-leading Clinton LumberKings (Seattle affiliate). Donavan Tate — Rancho Cucamonga Quakes — Advanced Class A — California League — MLB Parent Club, Los Angeles Dodgers (Cartersville HS) Tate played in ten games after coming off the disable list to start the season. He has a .143 batting average in 35 at bats with a home run and four RBIs. He has played defensively at both corner outfield positions and has been utilized as a designated hitter, but has not seen action since July 6. The Quakes are 19-17 in the second half standings of the California League’s South Division. They are currently 5.5 games behind the Lancaster JetHawks (Houston Astros affiliate). To check on these local players any time, use the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page of this web site to locate active links to each players statistics, schedules, results, and other team information.

Ben Martin, a client of Cartersville Country Club’s Scott Hamilton Golf Academy, finished second Sunday at the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois. Martin, who shot 62 on Saturday to move into second place heading into the final round, shot 68 Sunday to finish two shots behind tournament winner Ryan Moore. Moore was 22-under (65-65-65-67). Martin shot 66-68-62-68. Martin, a 2009 U.S. Amateur finalist and Clemson graduate, also recorded top-10 finishes last season at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Other Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players this week at the John Deere Classic: — Scott Stallings, tied for 16th, 69-67-66-70 — Boo Weekley, tied for 47th, 69-69-70-71 — Hudson Swafford, tied for 47h, 69-65-73-70 — Steven Bowditch, missed cut, 74-75 — Brendon Todd, missed cut, 77-72 Acworth’s Jason Bohn tied for 56th after shooting 70-69-70-70. He is a former SHGA client. Another former SHGA player, Rob Oppenheim tied for 70th after rounds of 67-68-73-75. On the senior PGA Champions Tour, Joe Durant is tied for sixth place heading into Monday’s final round at the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S.G.A. postponed Sunday’s final round to Monday due to course conditions. The final round is scheduled to begin at 7:30am Monday. Durant, another client of SHGA, is fresh off a win last week at the 3M Championship in Minnesota. He is currently in second place in the Schwab Cup points race behind Bernhard Langer. Langer is tied with Durant for sixth place going into the final round Monday. Durant, who has rounds of 75-67-70 is 2-over par. He trails leader Miguel Angel Jimenez by five shots with 18 holes remaining. On the WEB.com Tour, SHGA player Hunter Hamrick tied for 29th Sunday at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield, Missouri. Hamrick was 12-under par with rounds of 72-67-66-71. Tournament champion Mackenzie Hughes shot 24-under par (67-67-64-66). Adam Mitchell of SHGA tied for 50th at 9-under. He shot 70-69-68-72. For other SHGA players, Kyle Thompson, Jim Renner, Jonathan Fricke, and Mark Silvers all missed the cut in Missouri. __________________________ Scott Hamilton is Director of Golf at Cartersville Country Club and works with many prominent professional golfers on the PGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, WEB.com Tour, LPGA, and other professional tours through the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy.

Coming off a 1-1 start Friday evening at the 32-team Sequoyah Classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Canes won four of five matches Saturday to capture the event's Silver Division Championship. The Lady Canes began Saturday with their third match in Pool B of the preliminary round against Newnan. Cartersville edged the Lady Cougars 25-23 in the opening set, but Newnan rebounded to take sets two and three, 25-11 and 15-9. Lauren Wenzell led Cartersville with five kills. Grace Hunter added seven assists for the Lady Canes. The loss dropped Cartersville to third in their pool and into the Silver Bracket of the tournament, but the Lady Canes won four straight on their way to the division title. In their Silver bracket opener, the Lady Canes defeated Morrow 25-9 and 25-12. Standout players for Cartersville included Catie Heilman with five aces and two kills; Kameron Hendrix with four aces and nine assists; and Wenzell contributed four kills. Next, Cartersville battled for three sets with Oconee County. The Lady Canes dropped the opening set 27-25 to the Lady Warriors, but rallied for a 25-22 win in set number two and a 15-11 win in the third set to take the match. Heilman had 13 kills and six digs in the victory. Hunter totaled 18 assists. In their fourth match of the day, Cartersville again battled through a three-set match with Eagles Landing Christian Academy to win 22-25, 25-12, and 15-7. The victory over the Lady Chargers, advanced Cartersville to the Silver Division championship. Hunter had nine assists and four aces for the Lady Canes. Anna Mathis added eight digs. Rebekah Stevens contributed four kills and Bella Corrigan totaled six digs. Cartersville won the final round in straight sets over Northgate 25-22 and 25-23. Heilman had six kills and two aces in the championship. Hendrix contributed three assists and five aces. Hunter contributed 10 assists and five aces. Stevens finished with six kills, while Corrigan and Mathis added four digs each. Cartersville (6-3) is scheduled to host Pepperell and Creekview Thursday beginning at 5pm at The Storm Center.

Ben Martin, a client of Cartersville Country Club’s Scott Hamilton Golf Academy, fired a third-round low 62 Saturday at the John Deere Classic to trail leader Ryan Moore by only one shot moving into Sunday’s final round. Martin, who won the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2015, is tied for second with Morgan Hoffman who also shot 62 on Saturday at the TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Martin has rounds of 66-68-62. Hoffman’s rounds were 67-67-62. Moore, the leader, has three consecutive 65s. Martin, a 2009 U.S. Amateur finalist and Clemson graduate, also recorded top-10 finishes last season at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Other Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players this week at the John Deere Classic: — Scott Stallings, tied for 11th, 69-67-66. — Boo Weekley, tied for 37th, 69-69-70. — Hudson Swafford, tied for 50th, 69-65-73. — Steven Bowditch, missed cut, 74-75. — Brendon Todd, missed cut, 77-72 Acworth’s Jason Bohn is tied for 66th after shooting 70-69-70. He is a former SHGA client. Another former SHGA player, Rob Oppenheim is also tied for 66th after rounds of 67-68-73. On the senior PGA Champions Tour, Joe Durant is tied for sixth place heading into Sunday’s final round at the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. Durant, another client of SHGA, is fresh off a win last week at the 3M Championship in Minnesota. He is currently in second place in the Schwab Cup points race behind Bernhard Langer. Durant, who has rounds of 75-67-70 is 2-over par. He trails leader Miguel Angel Jimenez by five shots with 18 holes remaining. On the WEB.com Tour, SHGA player Hunter Hamrick is tied for 27th through three rounds at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield, Missouri. Hamrick is 11-under (72-67-66) and trails leader Mackenzie Hughes by seven shots. Adam Mitchell of SHGA is at 9-under. He shot 70-69-68. For other SHGA players, Kyle Thompson, Jim Renner, Jonathan Fricke, and Mark Silvers all missed the cut in Missouri. __________________________ Scott Hamilton is Director of Golf at Cartersville Country Club and works with many prominent professional golfers on the PGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, WEB.com Tour, LPGA, and other professional tours through the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy.

The Cass Lady Colonels’ softball team split a pair of games Saturday at East Carroll Park in Carrollton. Cass lost 8-4 to Pierce County, but bounced back to defeat Decatur later in the day, 10-3. The Lady Colonels scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to break open a 1-1 tie with Decatur. Cass then added four more runs in the seventh inning to distance themselves from the Lady Bulldogs, 10-1. Decatur, who entered the day 2-0 on the season, scored twice in the bottom of the seventh for a 10-3 final. Hope Elrod earned the pitching victory for Cass. She allowed only two earned runs on five hits and four walks. She struck out two. The Lady Colonels pounded out 14 hits in their win. Sarah Fox went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Sierrah Gani doubled and tripled for her two hits. Elrod drove in two runs with a pair of hits that included a double. Alexia Najarro finished with two hits that included a triple and two RBI. Maggie Collum added two hits and one RBI. Brittnee Mayer, Mae Mae McIntyre, and Arianna Mustin (RBI) each had one hit. In the loss to Pierce County the Lady Colonels took an early lead and out hit the Lady Bears 10-8, but a four-run top of the third inning gave Pierce a lead they would maintain the rest of the way. The Lady Colonels created some offensive chances, but failed to deliver enough key, timely hits. Elrod had three hits for the Lady Colonels. She singled in the first, third, and fourth frames. Fox and Najarro (RBI) added two hits apiece. Gani and Sarah Moore both contributed a double and one RBI. Mustin (RBI) had the other Cass hit. Taylor Queen drove in a run with a groundout. Moore (2.1IP, 5R, 3ER, 3H, 5BB, 1K) and Mustin (2.2IP, 3ER, 5H, 1BB, 3K) split the pitching duties for the Lady Colonels against Pierce County. The win improved the Lady Bears season record to 3-2. Cass (1-2) travels across town for a Region 7-AAAAA matchup at Woodland Tuesday at 6:30pm and will host Paulding County Thursday in a 5:55pm start. The Lady Colonels will host Fannin County at Stars Field at 1pm.

Cartersville and Adairsville split a softball doubleheader Saturday at the Lady Canes’ home field in Atco with the Lady Tigers taking the opener 4-3 and Cartersville winning the second game, 9-1, behind a no-hitter by Hannah Todd. In the first game, Adairsville led 4-0 going to the bottom of the seventh inning and held off a furious rally by Cartersville to win by one run. The Lady Canes had runners on the corners when Lady Tigers’ pitcher Loren Harris induced a come-backer groundout to end the threat. Harris did not allow an earned run in the game and scattered eight hits. She issued no walks and struck out three for the victory. Adairsville scored their four runs on eleven total hits. Morgan DeBoard, Macy Hufstetler, Bailey Robinson (RBI), and Emily Collum (double, 2 RBI) had two hits each to lead the Lady Tigers. Natalie Burrow, Sierra Tanner, and Havyn Isaac (RBI) also contributed hits for Adairsville. Molly Wilson was 3-for-4 with one RBI to lead the Cartersville attack. Paris Poston and Madison McKinney had two hits apiece for the Canes. Cio Seigler added the other base hit. Tara Mathis (7 IP, 4R, 3ER, 11H, 2BB, 4K) was saddled with the pitching loss for the Purple Hurricanes. In Game 2, Lady Canes’ pitcher Hannah Todd tossed a six inning, no-hitter to shut down the Adairsville offense. Todd needed only 64 pitches and struck out ten batters. She also hit a solo home run to help lead the offense. Adairsville’s only run came in the top of the third inning when Collum drew a two-out walk and later scored on a two-base throwing error. The Lady Tigers’ run tied the game 1-1, but Cartersville scored six runs over their next two frames and added two more in the sixth to end the contest. The Lady Canes accumulated eight total hits in their victory. Poston was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple and two RBI. Jolea Prokop (RBI), Seigler (2 RBI), Presley Edwards, Wilson, and Kayla Stephenson added hits for Cartersville. Burrow (5.2 IP, 9R, 2ER, 8H, 1BB, 2K) suffered the pitching loss for Adairsville. Cartersville (1-2) plays at Central-Carroll Tuesday at 5:30pm to open Region 5-AAAA play. The Lady Canes also play at Darlington Thursday (5:30pm) and host Fannin County on Saturday at 11am next week. Adairsville (2-3) hosts North Murray Monday at 5:55pm and Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Tuesday at 5:55pm. They also travel to Murray County for a 5:55pm start Thursday before playing in the Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

The North Georgia Youth Football Jamboree will be hosted at Sonoraville Recreation Complex on Saturday, September 3. The event is open to any team, but has been established in cooperation with five area recreation program according to event organizer, Chad Haygood. "Five recreation programs will be represented so far," said Haygood. "Bartow County, Gordon County, Calhoun, Rome/Floyd County, and Murray County are the departments included although the event is open to any team outside these recreation programs." Event and registration contact information is listed below: 2016 North Georgia Youth Football Jamboree Team Entry Fee: Free Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 Where: Sonoraville Recreation Complex Address: 7674 HWY 53, Calhoun, GA 30701 Age Groups: 8U, 10U, & 12U (September 1 age control date) Format: 3 Mini – Games with 15 minute offensive period and 15 minute defensive period. No special teams. 5 minute break between periods, 35 minute break between games. Gate: $5 - Adults over 16 (all day pass) $2 - Children 7 – 16 (all day pass) Free - 6 & under (all day pass) • Certified Referees • Running clock with 2 (30 Second) time-outs each half • Concessions Contact Chad Haygood at 678-848-5146 or by email at Chadwick_haygood@yahoo.com for questions or to reserve your spot.

Three of the four local high school football programs had the opportunity to perform Friday night in scrimmages and each of the head coaches at those programs came away pleased with their respective team's performances. Cartersville, the defending Class AAAA state champions, dominated last year's Class AAA champions Westminster at Weinman Stadium. The Canes took advantage of several early Westminster miscues and their offense put together some impressive drives to take a 45-7 halftime lead before the scrimmage scoreboard was shut off. Cartersville scored three offensive and three defensive touchdowns in the first half with five different Canes reaching pay dirt. Meanwhile, Adairsville and Woodland scrimmaged at Woodland High School. The Tigers pieced together three scoring drives with both teams' starters on the field resulting in a pair of touchdowns and a field goal to take an early 16-0 lead. After both teams turned to reserves, Woodland added a pair of scores and Adairsville one more for a 23-15 final on the scoreboard. Next Friday, all three of these teams begin their regular season slates. Cartersville will host the defending state champions from Class AAAAA, the Allatoona Buccaneers at Weinman Stadium. Adairsville travels to Ridgeland High School in Rossville to take on the 10th-ranked Panthers, and Woodland travels to Woodstock to challenge the Class AAAAAA River Ridge Knights. The fourth local program, Cass, will scrimmage the Pepperell Dragons in Lindale next Friday night. The Colonels' season opener will be at Adairsville on August 26. For more details on both local scrimmages Friday night and comments from the local coaches, please see the following: See Jason Greenberg's story: 'Canes impress in scrimmage, beat 3A champ 59-7,' at The Daily Tribune News See Andrew Houghton's story: Battle of the Cats: Tigers, Wildcats get together to kick off 2016 season with scrimmage,' at The Daily Tribune News

The Cartersville Lady Canes volleyball team split a pair of matches Friday night during preliminary pool play at the 32-team Sequoyah Classic in Hickory Flat. Cartersville swept Sparyberry in their opener 25-23 and 25-11, but lost to Columbus in the nightcap, 25-16 and 25-17. In the victory over Sprayberry, Catie Heilman led Cartersville with four kills, four digs, and three aces. Rebekah Stevens contributed four kills. Anna Mathis had four digs. Grace Cochran added three aces and Kameron Hendrix totaled eight assists. In the loss to Columbus, Grace Hunter finished with four kills. Mathis had sixteen service receptions and six digs. Hendrix added seven assists and Elsa Evans contributed three blocks. Cartersville is now 1-1 in Pool B and will play Newnan Saturday at 9am in both teams’ final pool play match. The top two teams from each of the eight pools will advance to the Gold Championship Bracket beginning at 12noon. The third and fourth place teams in each pool will compete in a Silver Bracket. Matches continue in the tournament Saturday at Sequoyah, River Ridge, Creekview, and Etowah. With the split on Friday night, the Lady Canes are now 2-2 on the season.