West Georgia Tech broke open a tight game in the seventh inning Friday night at LakePoint in Emerson to defeat Georgia Highlands, 6-5. The visiting Golden Knights, needing a four-game sweep of GHC in this week’s series to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, has now won the first two games. West Georgia Tech defeated Georgia Highlands in Carrollton on Tuesday, 8-2. The Chargers took an early 3-0 lead going to the fourth inning, but WGT battled back with single runs in the fourth and fifth frames prior to their four-run seventh. Brandon Bell reach base five times for the Chargers on a pair of hits and three walks. He also scored twice. Devin Bilardello collected two hits and a pair of walks. Mitch Burger had a pair of hits and one RBI. Brandon Etheridge had a first inning double and scored a run. Jonathan White also drove in a run with a hit for Georgia Highlands. Avery Roth and Josh Edison combined for eight hits and six RBI to lead the Golden Knights offense. Matt Orange picked up the pitching victory for West Georgia Tech in relief of starter Connor Wilson. Tyler Elkins took the rubber for the eighth and ninth innings and earned a two-inning save. Bryan Quillens suffered the pitching loss for the Chargers in relief of starter Casey Collins who went 6 and 1/3 innings. Will Griffin and Colby Taylor also pitched in relief for Georgia Highlands. The two teams meet again Saturday at LakePoint for a regular season ending doubleheader at 1 pm and a post-season, conference tournament bid on the line. The top six teams in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association advance to the conference tournament. Georgia Highlands currently sits in a tie for fifth with Gordon College, but Andrew College is only one game back with two games to play. Andrew College is playing at Gordon College in a doubleheader Saturday. East Georgia has a doubleheader at conference leading Darton. GCAA Standings (thru Fri, May 6) GCAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conf. . . . . . Overall Darton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-7 . . . . . . 34-18 South Georgia . . . . . . . . . 18-8 . . . . . 33-20 ABAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-12 . . . . 26-25 East Georgia . . . . . . . . . . 12-14 . . . . . 25-25 Georgia Highlands . . . . . . 11-15 . . . . . 26-28 Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-15 . . . . . 26-28 Andrew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16 . . . . . 21-30 West Georgia Tech . . . . . . 9-17 . . . . . . 14-33-1

2016 GHSA Girls State Track and Field Meet Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany, GA Results from the events that included local athletes at the Girls State Meet -- May 5 and 6. FRIDAY, MAY 6 1600 METER RUN Bree Cole, Cartersville — 5th -- Class 4A -- 5:20.19 (event winner: Josie Wirtz, Marist, 5:07.17) 800 METER RUN Bree Cole, Cartersville — 14th Prelim, DNQ for final -- Class 4A -- 2:27.89 SHOT PUT London Shaw, Cartersville — 14th -- Class 4A -- 31-06.00 (event winner: Makenli Forrest, Woodward Academy, 45-00.00) THURSDAY, MAY 5 SHOT PUT Josie Summerville — Adairsville — 4th — Class 3A — 35-09.00 (event winner: Camilla Sims, Jackson-Atlanta, 39-11.00) HIGH JUMP Kyler Trouten — Cass — 8th — Class 5A — 5-00.00 (event winner: NaTosha Jordan, Richmond Academy, 5-08.00) SHOT PUT Hayley Gildersleeve — Cass — 9th — Class 5A — 37-09.00 (event winner: Timberly Molden, Stephenson, 43-08.50) The state meet continues for all classifications through Saturday.

2016 GHSA Girls State Track and Field Meet Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany, GA Results from the opening day field events for local athletes at the Girls State Meet -- Thursday, May 5: SHOT PUT Josie Summerville — Adairsville — 4th — Class 3A — 35-09.00 (event winner: Camilla Sims, Jackson-Atlanta, 39-11.00) HIGH JUMP Kyler Trouten — Cass — 8th — Class 5A — 5-00.00 (event winner: NaTosha Jordan, Richmond Academy, 5-08.00) SHOT PUT Hayley Gildersleeve — Cass — 9th — Class 5A — 37-09.00 (event winner: Timberly Molden, Stephenson, 43-08.50) The state meet continues for all classifications through Saturday. (Photo credit: Danny Fairbanks, Cass track & field team members, Trouten and Gildersleeve at state meet in Albany.)

The Cartersville baseball team remained unbeaten in post-season play Wednesday night with a second round, playoff doubleheader sweep at Thomson. The Canes took the opener, 13-3, and won the nightcap, 6-4. Cartersville will travel to Buford for the quarterfinal round next week. Buford swept Bainbridge Wednesday, 15-0 and 16-2. Elliott Anderson and Anthony Seigler tossed complete games for the two Hurricane victories. Anderson struck out 13 and kept the Bulldogs off the board for the first six innings in Game 1 as the Canes built a 13-0 lead. Seigler, in the second game, yielded only three earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out eight Bulldogs. In the first game, Devin Warner drove in four runs with a homerun and a double for the Purple Hurricanes. Spencer Dickey also homered and Anderson helped himself by reaching base five times with a double, a single, and three walks. In Game 2, Thomson took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second before Cartersville tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Parker Tidwell and Dickey singled to start the Canes’ second inning. Cole Jamieson was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tidwell scored on a sacrifice fly by Trevor Lowe and Dickey scored to tie the game, 2-2, on a wild pitch. The Bulldogs regained the lead in the top of the third, 3-2, but Cartersville went back on top for good with a four-run bottom of the third. Seigler lined a triple to right field and scored on an Anderson double. Carrington Evans followed with a single that moved Anderson to third. Tidwell then doubled to center field with both Anderson and Evans scoring. After Tidwell moved up to third on a wild pitch, Dickey’s sacrifice fly drove home Tidwell and the Canes held a 6-3 advantage. Seigler, who worked the first six innings on the mound as a southpaw, switched to his right arm in the seventh. Although Thomson loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a single, Seigler limited the damage to a single run on a sacrifice fly by Cody Brown. Seigler then induced a groundout and a popup to short to seal the 6-4 victory and complete the series sweep for the Hurricanes. Seven Cartersville hitters finished the doubleheader with at least two hits. Anderson went 3-for-5 with two doubles, scored a run, and walked three times. Dickey was 2-for-3 with a home run, scored three times, and drove in a pair of runs. Tidwell went 2-for-6 with a double, three runs scored and four RBI. Warner homered and doubled for four RBI and scored a run. Seigler had two hits, including a triple, with two runs scored and one RBI. Evans was 2-for-6 with a double and scored two runs. Jamieson finished 2-for-5 with a double. Jacob Fowler had a hit and scored two runs in the doubleheader. Noah Daniel drove in two runs with a hit and scored a run. Lowe drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Thomson’s season ends with a 21-9 mark. Cartersville (19-11) advances to the Elite Eight quarterfinal round May 10 (doubleheader) and May 11 (if needed), to play at Buford (27-3) in a best-of-three series.

The Adairsville girls soccer team cruised to a 7-1 Class AAA second round playoff victory over visiting Jackson Wednesday night at Tiger Valley. The Lady Tigers, who led 2-1 at halftime, improved to 17-1 on the season. Adairsville also won a coin toss following the game to host their state quarterfinal match. The opponent in the next round will be Savannah Arts Academy. The exact day and time for the match has yet to be decided, but will be on either Friday (May 6) or Saturday (May 7). A coin toss to determine the host site was necessary since both the Lady Tigers and Lady Panthers won their respective regions. Adairsville, in the playoffs for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall, has now reached the state quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The 7th-ranked Lady Tigers scored twice in a closely contested first half. Emily Collum scored in the 15th minute with an assist from Katie Lawhorn to take a 1-0 lead. Then after Jackson tied the game 1-1, Chloe Cochran scored off an assist from Kaitlyn Webster in the game’s 33rd minute. That gave Adairsville a 2-1 advantage at the break. Gillian Johnson put the Lady Tigers ahead 3-1 early in the second half off a feed from Collum and Lawhorn scored following a free kick by Victoria Davis in the 69th minute for a 4-1 lead. Cochran added a pair of second half goals to complete a three-goal hat trick in the contest. Collum and Haley Pittman assisted for a commanding, 6-1 Adairsville lead. In the 79th minute, Aleah Abernathy capped the Lady Tigers’ scoring off a pass from Lawhorn. Freshman keeper, Havyn Isaac, picked up the victory in goal with four saves. Davis, Mac Stephenson, Emily Emmons, Lauren Stephenson, Molly Carter, and Macy Hufstetler continued to be steady defenders for the Lady Tigers. The date and starting time for the quarterfinal match will be decided Thursday by school officials. Savannah Arts Academy defeated Jefferson 2-1 Wednesday night in the second round.

Elliott Anderson tossed a complete game and struck out 13 as Cartersville won the first game of a second round Class AAAA playoff doubleheader at Thomson Wednesday evening, 13-3. Anderson kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard until the bottom of the seventh. Thomas scored all three runs in the final frame after the Hurricanes had built a 13-0 lead. Devin Warner drove in four runs for Cartersville with a homerun and a double. Spencer Dickey also homered. Anderson helped himself at the plate in the leadoff slot. He reached base five times with a double, a single, and three walks. Cartersville (18-11) will play for a sweep in the best-of-three series as the home team in the second game of Wednesday night’s doubleheader. If a third game is needed, first pitch would be Thursday at 5pm at Thomson. The winner of the Cartersville-Thomson series advances to face the survivor of a series between Bainbridge and Buford.

Georgia Highlands starting pitcher, Tanner Thomson, allowed only one run on a single hit and two walks through six innings Tuesday night at West Georgia Tech in Carrollton, but the Chargers’ bullpen failed late in an 8-2 conference loss. The Chargers led 2-1 going to the bottom of the seventh when the Golden Knights struck for seven runs over the next two frames, including five in the seventh. West Georgia Tech pitcher, Miles Dutton, went the full nine innings for the victory. He scattered five singles and three walks in allowing two earned runs. Dutton struck out eleven Chargers. Zach McCrum, Jonathan White, Mitch Burger, Clint Tonini, and Joel Munoz had the Georgia Highlands’ hits. Tristan Roberts drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Three different Knights — Adrian Martinez, Connor Wilson, and Brandon Bone — drove in two runs each. West Georgia Tech improved to 13-33-1 with the win. The Knights are now 8-17 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. The Chargers (26-27, 11-14) will host the next three games of the series with a single game Friday at 6pm and a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch at 1pm. The final three games of the series will be at LakePoint in Emerson.

Cartersville at Thomson GHSA Class AAAA Second Round Best 2-of-3 series DH May 4 (if game, May 5) 5pm start time, both dates Records: Cartersville (17-11, 2-seed, Region 7-AAAA) Thomson (21-7, 1-seed, Region 3-AAAA) (winner plays Buford/Bainbridge series winner in quarterfinals) Thomson has won 8 of last 10. Cartersville has won 7 of last 10. First Round results: Thomson swept Upson-Lee in the first round, 2-0 and 5-2 (9 inn.) Cartersville swept Redan in the first round, 12-3 and 11-0 (5 inn.) Canes First Round leaders: Anthony Seigler (5-for-8, two doubles, four runs, four RBI) in first round series. Elliott Anderson (5-for-9, three doubles, five RBI) in first round series. Cole Jamieson (2 HR) in first round series. Carrington Evans (4-for-6, double, two runs, three RBI) in first round series. Jacob Fowler (2-for-5, double, three runs) Seigler and Anderson on the mound Bulldogs to watch Thomson top hitters: Morgan Hyde -- Sr. (.458 BA, 36R, 20 RBI, .536 OBP, .614 SLG) Duncan Adams -- Sr. (.415 BA, 20 RBI, .500 OBP) Hunter Norman -- Sr. (.371 BA, 30 RBI) Patterson Hutto -- Jr. (.366 BA, 13 RBI) Jordan Fanning -- Jr. (.364 BA, 20R) Thomson top pitchers: Morgan Hyde, 9-1 record, 1.89 ERA, .212 OppBA, 14 appearances Cade Brown -- Sr., 6-2 record, 1.44 ERA, .212 OppBA, 13 appearances Hunter Norman, 5-2 record, 2.10 ERA, .196 OppBA, 10 appearances NOTE: Thomson stats per MaxPreps

This week's 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' for track and field, tennis, and softball includes updates for 14 athletes currently contributing at their respective college programs across the country. A few institutions have completed their 2016 seasons, while others are wrapping up their regular seasons. Still other programs are moving into post-season play at conference, regional, or national tournaments. Bartow Sports Zone maintains a roster of local athletes competing currently on college or professional rosters. See the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page on this web site for more. TENNIS PEYTON GOLHOFFER — Ball State (Fr., Laurel Springs Academy, Cartersville resident) . . . earned a Mid-America Conference All-Tournament Team selection as the Cardinals won the MAC tournament and sealed an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Ball State, who also won the regular season title, defeated No. 3 seed Western Michigan 4-0 in the championship match at Miami-OH University’s Hepburn Tennis Courts. Gollhofer won her No. 1 singles line in the title match as Ball State improved to 22-3 on the season. BSU also defeated University of Buffalo in the conference tournament semifinals, 4-3. Gollhofer lost her No. 1 line singles match, but teamed with partner Audrey Berger to win on the No. 1 doubles line. Ball State will learn their first round opponent for the NCAA Tournament May 3 at 5pm during the NCAA selection show on ncaa.com. SOFTBALL TAYLOR BRASELTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . went 11-for-16 and scored a tournament-high eight runs in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament April 26-29 in Kingsport, TN. Braselton, recently named AAC All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team, has a .371 batting average for the season with 12 RBI and has stolen 9 bases in 40 starts. She was also named to the 2016 AAC Champions of Character Team. The Eagles improved to 41-10 with their four conference tournament wins over Union College (KY), Truett-McConnell College (GA), Bryan College (TN), and Milligan College (TN) in the finals. Reinhardt, who also won the AAC regular season title, will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10. SYDNEY FLOWERS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . started a conference tournament game against Union College (KY) April 26 and made an appearance in the conference title game against Milligan College (TN). Flowers, a 2016 Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team member, has a .192 batting average for the season and has started 30 games for the Eagles. Reinhardt improved to 41-10 with their four conference tournament wins. The Eagles, who also won the AAC regular season title, will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10. BRIDGETT HAMPTON -- Walters State CC (Fr., Woodland HS) . . . started three of four games at first base and DH as the Senators split a series at Motlow State CC. Hampton was 3-for-8 with one RBI in the series. She has a .333 batting average with three home runs and 19 RBI through 28 games played. Walters State (39-8 overall, 28-4 TCCAA) plays next in the TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament, May 9-11, at Columbia State CC. MALLORY JACKSON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Woodland HS) . . . went 2-for-8 with a home run and a double in three games at the GCAA/Region XVII Tournament. GHC went 2-2 at the tournament with wins over East Georgia CC and Andrew College. The losses were to South Georgia State CC and Darton State CC. Jackson finished the season with a .204 batting average, five homers, and 27 RBI in 55 games. Georgia Highlands finished the season 27-33 overall and 7-7 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. ASHLEY JORDAN — Georgia Highlands CC (Soph, Woodland HS) . . .went 4-for-11, scored two runs, had a sacrifice, and a stolen base in four games at the GCAA/Region XVII Tournament. GHC went 2-2 at the tournament with wins over East Georgia CC and Andrew College. The losses were to South Georgia State CC and Darton State CC. Jordan finished the season with a .327 batting average, 16 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 58 games. Georgia Highlands finished the season 27-33 overall and 7-7 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . went 9-for-17 in the Eagles’ final two conference regular season series at Eckerd College and Nova Southeastern University. ERU won five of six and Rain finished the regular season with a five game hitting streak. She drove in five runs with a double and a walk. Rain finished the season with a .372 batting average with 10 RBI in 32 games played. Embry-Riddle finished 35-13 overall and 17-12 in the Sunshine State Conference. The Eagles are transitioning to NCAA D-II and are not eligible for post-season play. TAYLOR WEEKS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . hit .786 (11-for-14) with a walk, stolen base, and five RBI in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament April 26-29 in Kingsport, TN. The Eagles have won 17 straight and swept to the tournament title with wins over Union College (KY), Truett-McConnell College (GA), Bryan College (TN), and Milligan College (TN). Weeks, recently named First Team All-AAC and to the AAC All-Academic Team, leads Reinhardt with a .454 batting average. She has 39 RBI with 69 hits and a .514 on base percentage in 47 starts. The Eagles, who also won their seventh straight regular season conference title with an 18-2 mark, improved to 41-10 and will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10. RANDI WIMPY — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) . . . recently named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Wimpy had only one hit in the AAC Championship Tournament, but was walked four times, drove in three runs, and scored four times as the Eagles swept four games on their way to the title. Wimpy was also named First Team All-Conference and was named to the AAC All-Defensive Team. The 2015 NAIA All-American has a .432 batting average with 10 home runs, 32 extra base hits, and 63 RBI. She carries a .797 slugging percentage and an on base percentage of .541. Wimpy has also stolen five bases while starting all 51 games. The Eagles, who also won their seventh straight regular season conference title with an 18-2 mark, improved to 41-10 and will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10. LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . went 4-for-12 with a pair of doubles, one run, and two RBI in four games at the GCAA/Region XVII Tournament. GHC went 2-2 at the tournament with wins over East Georgia CC and Andrew College. The losses were to South Georgia State CC and Darton State CC. Womack finished the season with a .310 batting average, 18 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 58 games. She was also named Second Team All-Region XVII/GCAA. Georgia Highlands finished the season 27-33 overall and 7-7 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . made a two inning relief appearance April 26 in a 13-2 win over Alabama A&M allowing a pair of runs on a hit and two walks. Yantis has pitched 17 and 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and a 5.15 ERA in eight appearances. The Bulldogs (34-18, 12-3 Southern Conference) host UNC-Greensboro May 7-8 for a three-game conference series before the Southern Conference championship tournament May 11-14 in Greensboro. TRACK AND FIELD SPENCER FIELDS — Rhodes College (Fr., Kingston, GA, Darlington HS) . . . won the 10,000 meter run (32:49.33). He also placed fourth in the 5000 meter run (15:35.64) and 12th in the 1500 meter run at the Southern Athletic Association Championships April 22-23 as the Lynx finished third behind conference winner Birmingham-Southern College and runner-up, Centre College (KY). The next meet for Rhodes is on May 19th at the Gregory Invitational in North Central, just one week before the NCAA D3 National Championships in Waverly, Iowa. JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Fr., Cass HS) … in his final event of the 2016 season, placed 9th in the 1500 meter run at the South Alabama Invitational April 16 establishing a new personal record of 4:02.62. He also competed in the 800 meter run and matched his season best of 2:02.01. SAMANTHA PATTERSON — Jacksonville State (Soph, Woodland HS) … pole vaulter, placed fifth (3.20m / 10’-06”) at the Western Carolina University Invitational April 29 as the Lady Gamecocks placed third as a team behind Georgia State and host Western Carolina in the eight team event. Next for JSU is the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships in Nashville, TN May 13-14. Did we miss someone? Please let us know. Use the contact page of this site to provide information we may have missed or email us: bartowsportszone@comcast.net

2016 BGMSAA Championship Meet Results GIRLS TEAM SCORES 1 — Red Bud, 120.5 2 — Calhoun, 109 3 — Woodland, 85 4 — Ashworth, 84.5 5 — South Central, 42 6 — Cass, 34 7 — Adairsville, 32 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS Shot Put — Parks, Red Bud Discus — Parks, Red Bud High Jump — Barnes, Calhoun Long Jump — Gunn, Ashworth High Hurdles — Wallraven, Red Bud 300 Hurdles — Triplett, Red Bud 4x100 Relay — Red Bud 1600 — Clymer, Woodland 800 — Clymer, Woodland 100 — Barnes, Calhoun 200 — Carnes, Woodland 400 — Gunn, Ashworth 4x400 Relay — Woodland BOYS TEAM SCORES 1 — Red Bud, 152 2 — Calhoun, 111 3 — Cass, 98 4 — Woodland, 47 5 — Ashworth, 45 6 — Adairsville, 28 7 — South Central, 26 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS Shot Put — Hamby, Calhoun Discus — Herman, Cass High Jump — Black, Ashworth Long Jump — Harper, Cass High Hurdles — Whittington, Cass 300 Hurdles — Cantrell, Red Bud 4x100 Relay — Red Bud 1600 — Barrios, Calhoun 800 — Barrios, Calhoun 100 — Harper, Cass 200 — Haynes, South Central 400 — Dong, Calhoun 4x400 — Red Bud

The Georgia Highlands softball team had its 2016 season come to a close Saturday at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association championship tournament played at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, GA. The 4th-seeded Chargers went 2-2 in the tournament to finish fourth. Georgia Military College (35-22) defeated South Georgia State in the finals to win the GCAA tournament and earned a spot in the NJCAA Softball World Series in St. George, Utah May 18-21. GMC entered the tournament as the 2nd-seed and knocked off top-seed South Georgia State (32-9) twice on their way to the title. Georgia Highlands had wins over East Georgia State and Andrew College, but lost to South Georgia State in the second round of the winners’ bracket and were eliminated by Darton State in the quarterfinals. Both tournament losses were by a single run. The Chargers lost 5-4 to South Georgia State and fell 2-1 to Darton State. The wins were 6-0 over East Georgia and 9-1 over Andrew. “We played good softball,” said GHC head coach Melissa Wood. “When we made mistakes, they were aggressive mistakes. The girls had great attitudes and really played hard.” Most of the 2016 edition of the Chargers will be back for the 2017 campaign, so Wood is excited for her team’s future. “Our freshmen got a lot of attention from the four-year colleges that were at the tournament scouting prospects,” said Wood. “That’s always important. We want to provide as much exposure for our players as possible.” The Chargers, who finished with a 27-33 overall record, had only three sophomores in 2016. One sophomore, Jace Armstrong, is a communications major that has accepted a paid position in the Tennessee Lady Volunteers communications department of their athletic program. Ashley Jordan has an offer from Kennesaw State to continue playing softball and will be making her decision in the coming days. The third sophomore, Victoria Woods, had an unfortunate softball career ending injury. With so few players graduating from the program, the pressure has not been as great for the current recruiting cycle. “We only had three sophomores, so right now we have five signees for next year,” said coach Wood. “We’ve signed two pitchers — a righty and a lefty, an outfielder, and two other athletes that will compete for positions in either the infield or outfield,” the coach continued. “We could add a walk-on or two, but the vast majority of our team returns for next season,” added Wood. Freshmen Carlee Thurmond and Rebecca Meade were named to the 2016 GCAA All-Tournament Team and five Chargers received 2016 All-Region honors. Meade, a right hand pitcher, became the first freshman in GHC history to earn First Team conference honors. She is also the first freshman, and only the third athlete in GHC history, to receive a nomination toward All-American consideration. Four other freshmen were named Second Team All Region, including Brianna Fickes (1B, Corona, CA); Caitlin Parks (C, Cumming, GA); Carlee Thurmond (UT, Winder, GA); and Lauren Womack (SS, Cartersville, GA). “We broke a ton of program records this year, so we are looking forward to building on this season and competing for a championship next year,” concluded Wood. Georgia Highlands will offer a variety of softball instruction opportunities for youngsters during the collegiate off-season. “We like to give back to the Bartow County Recreation Department,” noted coach Wood. “They allow us to use their fields and do our upgrades, so we support them by offering one of the best youth camps in the country.” “We do a four-day kids camp in the summer. The kids get a t-shirt and all the sessions are in the mornings. Parents can drop kids off on their way to work and pick them up at lunch. We keep the cost down to around $65 and our players come back and work with all the kids,” Wood said. “It’s a lot of fun.” The Chargers will also have prospect camps in the fall for potential, future college players and also plan to offer hitting and defensive clinics at the Beacon Sports indoor facility in Emerson during the summer months. Information on all the camps will be updated on the Georgia Highlands College athletic department website, ghcchargers.com.

This week's 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' baseball report includes updates on 15 of the 24 former local high school baseball players currently contributing at their respective college programs across the country. A few schools have completed their 2016 season, while others are wrapping up their regular seasons. Still other programs are moving into post-season play at conference or regional tournaments. Bartow Sports Zone maintains a roster of local athletes competing currently on college or professional rosters. See the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page on this web site for more. BASEBALL BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Georgia Highlands CC (Soph., Cass HS) . . . was 5-for-16 in a four game series with Gordon State College last week. He scored three runs with a triple and a pair of walks. Etheridge has a .290 batting average for the season with 35 runs, 16 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 49 games. The Chargers split the four game set with Gordon and currently sit fourth in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings with a final regular season series this week against West Georgia Tech CC. GHC (26-26, 11-13) travels to LaGrange for the series opener Tuesday afternoon and will host the final three games May 6-7 at LakePoint in Emerson. Friday’s game is at 6pm. The Saturday DH starts at 1pm. MICHAEL GOSS — UNC-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 3-for-5 and scored twice with a triple, two doubles, and two RBI April 26 in a home, non-conference win over Campbell. Goss was then 3-for-10 and scored two runs with one RBI in a three game home, conference series sweep of Samford. He has a .338 batting average with 19 extra base hits and 27 RBI through 34 games played. The Spartans (33-13 overall, 11-4 Southern Conference) currently lead the conference by 1.5 games over Mercer and Western Carolina. UNCG has a conference series this week at Wofford, May 6-8. ROBERT HARRIS — Troy University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . made a pair of relief appearances in Sun Belt Conference games at Texas State. He earned a save April 29 by recording the final out in a 12-8 win on only four pitches. He also worked a one inning stint May 1 during a 4-1 loss. He allowed a pair of hits, but finished a shutout inning. Harris has pitched 25 and 2/3 innings in 17 appearances with 26 strikeouts and a 5.61 ERA. The Trojans (25-19, 11-10) play a non-conference game at Alabama State May 4 and host a conference series with University of Louisiana-Monroe May 6-8. HARRISON HATFIELD — Shorter University (Soph, Cartersville HS) . . . went 5-for-9 in a pair of starts and one substitute appearance April 30 and May 1 as the Hawks swept a three-game, Gulf South Conference series at home over Christian Brothers University. Hatfield scored five runs, drove in three, stole a base, and had a sacrifice during the series. He had a .195 batting average for the season in 21 game appearances. He started at second base 11 times. Shorter finished the season with a 17-32 mark and was 9-24 in the GSC. BRADLEY HOOD — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . made a one inning relief appearance April 26 during a 16-8 home loss to Gordon State College. He yielded four runs on a pair of hits and three walks. He struck out two. Hood has made 13 relief appearances for the Chargers this season and pitched 14 and 2/3 innings. He has 12 strikeouts and carries a 6.75 ERA. GHC (26-26, 11-13 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) travels to West Georgia Tech Tuesday and hosts the Golden Knights for a single game Friday and a doubleheader Saturday at LakePoint in Emerson. TRIPP JAMIESON — Univ. of the Cumberlands (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 0-for-4, but scored a run in a 15-5 home loss to 5th-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan on April 26. Jamieson was then 2-for-7, including a walk, a run scored, and one RBI as the Patriots were knocked out of the Mid-South Conference playoffs in a pair of losses at Lindsey Wilson (KY). In 36 games (31 starts), Jamieson had two homers and 19 RBI with a .253 batting average. The Patriots finished the year 33-23, 9-12 in the Mid-South Conference. CONNOR JUSTUS — Georgia Tech (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 1-for-4 with a walk and one RBI during a 13-5 loss at Georgia April 26. Justus then went 2-for-11, including a walk, three runs, and three RBI in a three-game, non-conference sweep of Coastal Carolina in Atlanta. Justus leads the No. 25 Yellow Jackets with a .368 batting average in 44 games started at shortstop. He has six homeruns, 23 extra base hits, and 33 RBI. He has stolen eight bases and carries a .591 slugging percentage with an on base percentage of .486. Justus also sports a .944 fielding percentage. Georgia Tech (30-14 overall, 10-10 ACC) returns to conference play May 7-9, hosting Miami. SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Fr., Adairsville HS) . . .went 2-for-14 with one double and two RBI as the Cougars won two of three conference games at Roane State CC April 29-30. McDermott has a .369 batting average with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, and 34 runs scored through 46 games. CSCC (30-19 overall, 17-10 Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) enter their conference tournament at Columbia State CC as the 3rd-seed. Cleveland State plays Jackson State CC on Monday, May 9 in both team’s TCCAA tournament opener. CHRIS MORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . made a one inning relief appearance April 26 during a 16-8 home loss to Gordon State College. He walked two batters, but tossed a shutout frame. Morton has made eight relief appearances this season for the Chargers, pitching 5 and 2/3 innings. He has five strikeouts and a 1.59 ERA. GHC (26-26, 11-13 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) travels to West Georgia Tech Tuesday and hosts the Golden Knights for a single game Friday and a doubleheader Saturday at LakePoint in Emerson HUNTER OSBORN — Reinhardt University (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . made his 13th start of the season April 29 at 21st-ranked Bryan College (TN) in a 7-5 loss. He pitched 2 and 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks. He struck out one. Osborn finished the season with a 6-5 mark in 66 and 2/3 innings with a 3.51 ERA. Reinhardt (29-25 overall, 10-17 Appalachian Athletic Conference) concluded its third winning season in a row and the best three-year run in program history with a record of 94-78. MASON ROBINSON — Wallace State-Dothan CC (Soph., Woodland HS) . . . went 6-for-11 with a home run, five RBI, two walks, four runs scored, and one stolen base as the Governors won three of four games in a conference, home-and-home series with Wallace State-Selma April 28-30. He was also 0-for-4 in a 5-2 home loss to Gulf Coast State College April 25. Robinson has a .303 batting average with three homers and 27 RBI through 47 games. He has scored 27 runs and has eight stolen bases. Wallace State-Dothan (31-20, 16-12) is fourth in the Alabama Community College Conference and concludes regular season play May 5-6 with an ACCC series vs. Enterprise State CC. TRISTON SMITH — Young Harris College (Soph., Adairsville HS) . . . scored one run on a walk and stole a base in four plate appearances April 29-30 at home against Georgia Southwestern. Smith started 27 games and appeared in 34 games for the Mountain Lions. He finished with a .208 batting average, five doubles, and four RBI. YHC concluded the season with a 12-37 overall record and 6-23 in the Peach Belt Conference. JO JO UNDERWOOD — University of North Carolina-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . made defensive appearances at third base during a 10-2 home win over Campbell April 26 and a 10-2 home conference win over Samford April 29. The Spartans (33-13 overall, 11-4 Southern Conference) currently lead the conference by 1.5 games over Mercer and Western Carolina. UNCG has a conference series this week at Wofford, May 6-8. ASA WILLIAMS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS). . . went 0-for-2 in a start at catcher April 29 during a 7-5 loss to 21st-ranked Bryan College (TN). Williams finished with a .189 batting average in 16 game appearances. He had six RBI and started 13 games. Reinhardt (29-25 overall, 10-17 Appalachian Athletic Conference) concluded its third winning season in a row and the best three-year run in program history with a record of 94-78. CHAZ WILSON — Columbus State University (Jr., Cass HS) . . . tossed a shutout ninth inning April 30 (video above) as the Cougars clinched the Peach Belt Conference regular season title with a home win over UNC-Pembroke. Wilson has made 14 relief appearances, working 19 and 1/3 innings with 17 strikeouts. He has a 5.59 ERA and opponents have a .197 batting average against him. Columbus State (39-11 overall, 23-7 PBC) will be the top-seed at the eight-team Peach Belt Conference tournament May 11-14 in Florence, SC. Did we miss someone? Please let us know. Use the contact page of this site to provide information we may have missed or email us: bartowsportszone@comcast.net