Woodland volleyball won twice Tuesday at South Cobb High School, defeating the host Lady Eagles and Campbell. Woodland defeated Campbell in three sets 26-24, 10-25, and 25-21. In their other match Tuesday, the Lady Cats swept two sets from South Cobb, 25-12 and 25-23. Madilyn Tuplin totaled 13 kills, 7 digs, two blocks, and one ace in the two matches. Kalia Henry contributed 14 assists, 11 aces, 12 digs, and a block. Woodland (8-5) plays at Allatoona High School Thursday where the Lady Cats will face the host Bucs and Sonoraville.

Cartersville softball routed Sandy Creek at home Tuesday night, 15-0 in only three innings, in a Region 5-AAAA game. The Lady Canes scored four runs in the first inning, six in the second inning, and five more in the bottom of the third to close out the game by mercy run-rule. Only three of Cartersville’s runs were earned. Sandy Creek committed nine errors. Paris Poston had two hits and scored three times for the Lady Canes. Madison McKinney plated four runs and had one hit. Jolea Prokop finished with a hit and three RBIs. Hannah Todd had a hit and two RBIs. Presley Edwards had a hit and one RBI. Tara Mathis drove in a run and Neeley Baxter had one hit. Todd (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 5K) and Mathis (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB) shared the pitching duties for the Lady Canes. Cartersville (3-4, 1-1) hosts Chapel Hill Thursday at 5:55pm and plays in the Allatoona Buccanneer Bash Friday and Saturday. KELL 2, WOODLAND 0 The Woodland softball team was shutout 2-0 Tuesday night at Kell. The Longhorns scored unearned runs in the fourth and sixth innings and their pitching struck out 13 in the victory. Sarah Baynard (7 IP, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 2BB, 4K) suffered the pitching loss despite an outstanding outing. Woodland (1-4, 1-2) plays at Hiram Thursday at 5:55pm and hosts games Friday against Armuchee and Roswell starting at 6pm. The Lady Cats also host three games Saturday starting at 8:30am against Darlington, Northwest Whitfield, and South Paulding. BREMEN 9, ADAIRSVILLE 0 Bremen pitcher Ashlinn Garner threw a perfrect game at Adairsville Tuesday as the visiting Blue Devils shutout the Lady Tigers, 9-0, in five innings. Garner struck out five. Bremen took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and led 5-0 after two frames. The visitors added four more runs in the top of the fifth. The Lady Tigers (5-6, 2-3) play Haralson County at home August 30.

A walk-off ground ball single to third base by Sarah Fox scored Kaila Carson in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night to give the Cass softball team a 4-3 Region 7-AAAAA victory over visiting Hiram. Carson singled with one out to start the Cass seventh inning and moved to second on a single by Sierrah Gani. Alexia Najarro reached on a bunt that loaded the bases and set up the game winner by Fox. Hiram loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the final inning, but Cass turned a triple play to get out of the jam. Cass third baseman, Arianna Mustin knocked down a hard ground ball, tagged the runner at third trying to return to the bag, then stepped on the bag before throwing for a third force out. Without the triple play, the opportunity for the walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh may not have existed. Cass took a 3-0 lead through two innings, but Hiram rallied to tie the game in the top of the fifth on two hits, two walks, and a hit batsman. Sarah Moore earned the pitching victory. She scattered five hits and four walks allowing three runs. Moore fanned four Lady Hornets. Carson (2 RBI), Najarro (double) and Fox (RBI) finished with two hits each to lead the Lady Colonels’ offense. Gani and Arianna Mustin (RBI, double) had the other Cass hits. Cass (3-5, 1-3) plays Villa Rica at home Thursday at 5:55pm and hosts Darlington at 5pm Friday. The Lady Colonels play two game Saturday at Hillgrove against the host Lady Hawks at 9am and against Ridgeland at 1pm.

The 2016 FedExCup Playoffs get started this week on the PGA Tour. Cartersville Country Club’s Director of Golf, Scott Hamilton, will have several players contending for this year’s championship. Hamilton, a current teacher for PGA Tour stars Boo Weekley, Steven Bowditch, Chris Kirk, Brendon Todd, Ben Martin, Kyle Thompson, Russell Henley, Harris English, Aaron Baddeley, Hudson Swafford, and Jim Renner also works with several players on the WEB.com Tour. Additionally, the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy client list includes Joe Durant, a top contender on the senior PGA Champions Tour. Durant is in third place on that tour’s Schwab Cup standings behind Bernhard Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Hamilton also works with Brooke Pancake of the LPGA Tour and Jamie Elson on the European Tour. Only the top 125 players on the PGA Tour begin the playoffs this week at The Barclays being played this year at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. The field will be narrowed to 100 for the Deutsche Bank Championship (Sept. 2-5), then 70 for the BMW Championship (Sept. 8-11), and only the top 30 will make it to Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club for the TOUR Championship September 22-25. Jason Day currently sits in first place in the FedExCup standings. Day had three wins this season and is currently the world’s No. 1 player. He has nine top-ten finishes in 16 starts on tour this season. Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Russell Knox, and 2015 champion Jordan Spieth round out the top five. Scott Hamilton Golf Academy representatives in the playoffs include the following: (current position in FedExCup standings) 35th — Harris English 45th — Aaron Baddeley 60th — Chris Kirk 61th — Ben Martin 83th — Russell Henley 90th — Hudson Swafford 110th — Boo Weekley Former SHGA player and Acworth resident, Jason Bohn, also made the playoff field. He is in 77th place heading into The Barclays.

The Woodland Lady Cats softball team was shutout Monday night at Allatoona, 10-0 in five innings. The Lady Buccanneers are the 5th-ranked team in Class 6A. Melanie Bennett pitched a two-hit shutout and struck out six for Allatoona, while Maggie Lewis and Nicolle Nysted combined for four hits and five RBIs to lead the Lady Bucs' offense. Brittney Cox and Audrey Morris had the only Woodland hits. Jordan Duck, who allowed only two earned runs, was tagged with the pitching loss for the Lady Cats. Woodland (1-4) hosts Kell in a Region 7-AAAAA matchup Tuesday at 5:55pm and travels to Hiram on Thursday for another 5:55pm start. The Lady Cats help host the Allatoona Buccaneer Bash Friday and Saturday at Woodland. They will play Armuchee and Roswell Friday night before facing Darlington, Northwest Whitfield, and South Paulding on Saturday. Games begin at 6pm Friday evening and 8:30am on Saturday.

The Adairsville softball team scored ten runs in the opening three innings Monday night, then cruised to an eight run decision over Cass in five innings, 13-5. The Lady Colonels actually took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but their advantage would be short-lived. Adairsville scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by two in the second and three in the third frames. Cass narrowed the lead to 10-5 in the fourth, but the Lady Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Adairsville out hit Cass, 14 to five. Loren Harris (5 IP, 5R, 4ER, 5H, 3BB, 5K) picked up the pitching win for the Lady Tigers. Sarah Moore (5 IP, 13ER, 14H, 6BB, 2K) suffered the pitching loss for Cass. Bailey Robinson was 3-for-4, including a double, with two RBIs for Adairsville. Harris doubled and homered for four RBIs. Havyn Isaac had two hits including a double. Natalie Burrow finished with two hits, including a double and two RBIs. Emily Collum (double), Morgan DeBoard, Macy Hufstetler, Cortni Jacobs, and Alexa Varner (double) each added one hit each for the Lady Tigers. Sarah Fox had two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs to lead the Cass offense. Hope Elrod had two hits and Arianna Mustin drove in a run with a hit for the Lady Colonels. Cass (2-5) has home games against Hiram Tuesday, Villa Rica Thursday, and Darlington Friday. The first two are scheduled for 5:55pm and Friday’s game is a 5pm start. Adairsville (5-5) hosts Bremen Tuesday at 5:30pm. The Excel softball team took a big lead early, then held on for a 9-7 win Monday at home over Gordon Central. The Lady Eagles held an 8-0 lead after only two innings, but did not score again until the bottom of the sixth. Meanwhile, the visiting Lady Warriors narrowed the margin with seven runs across the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Rachel Parrott (1-for-2) and Hannah Lee (2-for-4) combined for three hits and six RBIs with one double each. Aliza Baker was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Landry McCollum also added a pair of hits and stole three bases. Whitney Harris (RBI) and Lindsey Mauldin (RBI) each contributed a hit. Taylor Gibson (5 IP, 5R, 3ER, 7H, 3BB, 4K) started in the circle and picked up the pitching win. Hannah Lee (2 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) earned a save by closing out the final two frames. Gordon Central falls to 1-5 with the loss. Excel (4-3) hosts Trion Thursday at 4:30pm and Southeast Whitfield for a doubleheader Saturday at 10am.

The Cass cross country teams competed at the Our Lady of Mercy Invitational Saturday in Fairburn, but did not field full team scores. St. Pius had five runners in the top ten of the girls event and all seven runners in the girls’ top 14 to win the nine-team event. Blessed Trinity had five runners in the top ten of the boys’ race and all seven in the top 20 to win the 10-team boys race. Stephanie Robledo placed 43rd for the Lady Colonels. Lexie Wallentine and Karsen Henry finished 66th and 67th, respectively. Derrick Smith placed 23rd for the Colonels. Nick Poteat (35th), Devon Martinez (55th), and Ryan Dupree (62nd) followed. Next for the Cass harriers will be the Ridge Ferry Invitational in Rome on Saturday (Aug. 27).

The regular season for Minor League Baseball wraps up at the end of August and the MiLB playoffs are usually completed within the first days of September. While two locals are shut down for the season, Grant DeBruin, Sam Howard, and Connor Justus will continue through the month. Saturday, Howard (photo courtesy MiLB prospects) had his best start at the Double-A level and one of his best starts as a pro. DeBruin has remained steady in the heat of the summer months and Justus is in the midst of a four-game hitting streak. DeBruin's Hagerstown Suns have also clinched a post-season berth due to their performance in the South Atlantic League's first half. Howard's Hartford Yard Goats and Justus' Burlington Bees, however, appear to be just outside the playoffs this year. Dalton Geekie, who pitched at Georgia Highlands College and now toils for the Rome Braves, suffered a season ending injury, had Tommy John surgery and will now begin his rehab. Donavan Tate, a Cartersville High standout and former first round pick of the San Diego Padres, only appeared in a handful of games for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Advanced Class A California League. They are an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Below, we have updates on the players with local ties. 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 consistent summer with a surge in late July and early August. He has hit safely in six of his last ten games and snapped a three game hitless streak Sunday with a 1-for-3 game at Lexington although the Suns lost to the Legends, 1-0. Through 62 games this season, DeBruin is now hitting .267 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 30-26 in the SAL second half, currently two and one-half games behind 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 picked up a victory Saturday by working six shutout innings against Trenton. He scattered six hits, walked three, and recorded three strikeouts in the victory. Howard has now won five of his last seven starts for the Yard Goats with victories July 16, July 27, August 3, and August 14 and Saturday. He had a no-decision performance July 22 and suffered a loss August 9 during that span. The 23-year-old former Cartersville High and Georgia Southern University pitcher is now 9-9 on year after starting the season 4-3 with the Advanced Class A, Modesto Nuts of the California League. He has a 3.47 ERA in 24 starts and 135 innings. He has 124 strikeouts. Opponents have a .256 batting average against him. The Yard Goats are 70-55 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 has continued his progress with a solid start for the Class A (full season) Burlington Bees of the Midwest League. Justus had a rough stretch at the plate in early August, but has currently hit safely in five of his last six games. 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 54 games as a professional combining his Orem and Burlington numbers. He has 11 extra base hits, including one home run and 29 RBIs. Defensively, Justus has a .952 fielding percentage in 228 total chances. He has been part of 27 double plays in 461 innings. The Burlington Bees are 29-27 in the second half standings of the Midwest League’s Western Division and are 61-65 overall in 2016. The Bees are currently 12 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.

Turnovers plagued the Cass Colonels Friday night in their scrimmage at Pepperell, but head coach Bobby Hughes ultimately came away pleased with his team’s performance. The visiting Colonels lost 12-0 Friday night in Lindale to the Pepperell Dragons in the scrimmage portion where score was kept. “We had three turnovers and one was in the red zone that gave them a cheap score,” noted Hughes. “Plus, we had some scoring chances if we execute. One was just outside the red zone. There were a couple of situations where we just didn’t get the job done with the offense.” Hughes (in photo) pointed out his team’s effort was pleasing and he was happy with how the defense performed. “Our defense was solid. I mean we turned it over three times and they (Cass defense) kept us in the scrimmage,” Hughes added. In the format used with Pepperell, the front line players were utilized for the first half only and score was not kept in the second half with the younger players on the field. “We will have to cut down the penalties and execute better,” said Hughes, “but I was pleased with how most of our first-time starters played.” Cass dressed out 98 players Friday night and all of them received some reps in the game. Hughes also said everyone came out of the game healthy and commended his defensive front and linebacker Tripp Breeden for their high-level play. “Our guys got more comfortable as the scrimmage went along. This will help us. We will get to review the film with the kids and we’ll be ready when the lights go on for real,” concluded Hughes. The Colonels open their 2016 season next Friday at Adairsville (0-1). Adairsville lost its season opener at Ridgeland last Friday. Kickoff for the county rivalry game is set for 7:30pm. For a more detailed account, please see Jason Greenberg's coverage at the link below from The Daily Tribune News. http://www.daily-tribune.com/sports/item/6129-tos-hurt-cass-but-provide-experience-in-scrimmage

Playing in the Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Invitational Saturday, Cartersville finished the day with a 2-2 mark. The Lady Canes defeated Southeast Whitfield 25-22 and 25-20. They also defeated Coahulla Creek 25-12 and 26-24. In one of their tightest matches of the year, Cartersville lost to Gordon Lee in three sets with the Lady Canes winning the middle set 26-24. The Lady Trojans won set one 25-22 and the third set 15-12. Cartersville also fell to Northwest Whitfield 25-16 and 25-19. The Lady Canes (4-5) are back in action next Saturday at Cherokee High School.

Lady Canes’ pitcher, Hannah Todd, is making this a weekly habit. After tossing a no-hitter exactly one week prior against Adairsville, she repeated the feat Saturday as Cartersville downed visiting Fannin County, 11-0. Making short work of Fannin, Todd yielded only one walk and struck out twelve. She also contributed a triple on offense with three RBIs. Tara Mathis (RBI) and Molly Wilson had two hits for Cartersville. Presley Edwards finished with a hit and three RBI. Hope Short, Lauren McElhaney, Madison McKinney (RBI), and Jolea Prokop added one hit each. In the second game, Cass pitcher Sarah Moore tossed a complete game scattering two hits and five walks in a 6-3 Lady Colonels’ victory. Only one run off Moore was earned. Cartersville (2-4) has home games Tuesday vs. Sandy Creek and Thursday vs. Chapel Hill. Both are scheduled for 5:55pm. The Lady Canes also play at North Paulding Friday at 5pm. Alexia Najarro drove in three runs with two hits for Cass. Sierrah Gani added a triple and scored a run. Arianna Mustin had one hit and one RBI. Shaniya Wilson and Moore also had hits for the Lady Colonels. Wilson Mustin, and Moore each stole a base. Fannin took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Cass responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a lead they would retain. The Lady Colonels were up 3-2 when they scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to distance themselves from the Lady Rebels. Cass (2-4) hosts Hiram Tuesday at 5:55pm; Villa Rica Thursday at 5:55pm; and Darlington Friday at 5pm. Adairsville lost a pair of games Saturday at the Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe tournament. The Lady Tigers were shutout by Harris County, 8-0, and dropped a 9-4 decision to Dade County. Loren Harris (double), Bailey Robinson, and Macy Hufstetler had the only Adairsville base hits against Harris County. In their second game of the day, the Lady Tigers only trailed 5-3 after three innings but could get no closer. Alexa Varner and Robinson both had two hits including a double. Robinson also had a pair of RBIs. Macy Hufstetler, Mackenzie Gwin, Natalie Burrow (double), and Cortni Jacobs each contributed a hit. Harris (6 IP, 8R, 2ER, 6H, 5BB, 5K) took the pitching loss in the opener. Burrow (6 IP, 9R, 5ER, 12H, 0BB) worked the circle in the second game for the Lady Tigers. Adairsville (4-5) has a home game with Bremen Tuesday at 5:30pm.

Brad Stephens brings his own Southern flavored sports perspective and humor to Bartow Sports Zone. He is a Bartow County native and an attorney in Cartersville, but he's mostly a Georgia Bulldogs' football fan. Brad is also part of the Bartow Sports Zone broadcast team and provides color commentary during the Johnny's NY Style Pizza of Cartersville, Bartow County Game of the Week Friday nights in the fall. He is also a co-host of the Bartow Sports Zone radio show each Friday morning 7-9am on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF. He is also author of "Reflections in Muddy Water, Layin' Drag on life's highway in Cassville, Georgia." “They got a long row to hoe.” That is a saying that old men in Cassville used when somebody was having a hard time. Growing up working at my dad’s store, I heard the overall-clad Greatest Generation members say that phrase hundreds of times, mostly in reference to somebody’s wayward children, a marriage going sour or the Atlanta Braves. Last night in Woodstock, the Woodland Wildcats’ row was longer than the Chattahoochee River. On a rainy night before a raucous River Ridge crowd on Senior Night, the Wildcats took it on the chin early and never recovered as the Knights controlled both sides of the ball in a 36-8 victory over Tony Plott’s young squad. The result was surprising to me, as I met with Coach Plott earlier this week and I felt a quiet confidence in him leading up to Friday night. Despite having over fifty freshmen and sophomores on the roster, Woodland did not appear to be apprehensive in practice. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Brody Williams was making his pitches to Justice Carter on option plays, defenders were filling gaps in the walk-throughs and flying to the ball on simulated pass plays. Emmanuel Jones, the resident man-child of the team, appeared to be loose and confident. The entire team was miffed at the thought of being the away team at another school’s Senior Night. That bulletin board material was a perfect segue to a potential Wildcat victory. Coach Plott could not have foreseen the disastrous first quarter that was marked by Wildcat miscues on special teams, the defense getting caught flat-footed and twenty unanswered points by the Knights, who almost seemed as surprised as Woodland. The Knights are coming off a dismal 1-9 season with very little hype behind the 2016 squad, but on this night, they looked like world-beaters. The Knights scored on their first and second offensive plays of the game, mainly due to excellent field position and a lack of execution by Woodland. The Knights completely owned the line of scrimmage and for Woodland and their Wing T attack, that cannot happen. Brody Williams was unable to get any kind of rhythm going and took several hard hits that definitely caused some cringing up in the press box. He is not a sizeable young man, so Woodland cannot afford defensive ends and tackles hitting him with a full head of steam. To his credit, he kept up the fight and did all he could to keep Woodland in the game. Carter and Demarcus Williams tried to find yardage where they could, but frankly, River Ridge’s pursuit was just too much. Gaps closed quickly and long yardage plays were as rare as cheese grits in New York City. After spotting the Knights a thirty-six point lead in the first half, the ‘Cats just could not muster a comeback of any kind. Other than a couple of pass plays in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats did not move the ball consistently against the stingy River Ridge defense. Where does Woodland go from here? The Wildcats have to find some building blocks from this defeat and move on, as the schedule only gets harder. I know Coach Plott will watch the game film, apply the lessons learned on Friday night and hope his young team responds. They took some lumps last night, but Woodland needs to have a short memory right now. Due to reclassification, Woodland now sits in a region with Kell, East Paulding, Rome and Carrollton, all of which are ranked in the top ten by at least one publication. Another region opponent, Paulding County, sits just outside the top ten according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. You cannot forget cross-town rival Cass, Hiram, and Villa Rica, who surprised many people by beating Central of Carrollton last night. Clearly, the ‘Cats cannot dwell on this loss with a virtual Murderers’ Row coming down the pipe. I believe Coach Plott and the players can fix their issues in the off week and start anew against non-region foe Rockmart on September 2. The Yellow Jackets thrashed Cherokee County (AL) 54-28 over in Centre last night and the Wildcats will be “bringing to the Rock” when they tee it up. You can bet the Polk County natives will be restless and ready, as they always tend to be. That long row is just going to get longer in 7-AAAAA. Hopefully, Woodland can rebound against Rockmart and be the confident squad I saw on the practice field last week.