April 24, 2025 Andrew Purdy recorded eight strikeouts in five innings on the mound and was 4-for-4 with four doubles at the plate as the Hurricanes completed a first-round playoff sweep of the visiting Cambridge Bears. The Purple Hurricanes posted two runs early on Thursday, and pitchers Andrew Purdy and Logan Shrewsbury were strong on the mound, lifting Cartersville to a 3-0 win and a first-round playoff sweep of visiting Cambridge. The Hurricanes won the series opener on Wednesday night, 5-0. Purdy scattered three hits and three walks in the first five innings on the bump to earn the pitching victory. He struck out eight.  Shrewsbury completed the shutout. He gave up one hit and no walks while recording one strikeout in the final two frames.  Playing as the visiting team and batting first in Game 2 at Richard Bell Field, the Canes got on the scoreboard in the first inning. Purdy led off the game with a line drive double into left field, and his courtesy runner, Gavin Renegar, scored on a single by Tristan McKibben. Later in the inning, Julez Pratt singled home McKibben for an early 2-0 advantage. Cartersville added an insurance run at the top of the fifth inning. Purdy doubled again to begin the inning, and courtesy runner Renegar scored one out later on a double by Cole Crawford. Purdy had four hits —all doubles — in his four plate appearances. McKibben (RBI), Crawford (double, RBI), Pratt (RBI), Brayden Logan, and Nolan Elrod produced one hit each.  Cambridge finished the season with a 17-14-1 mark. Cartersville (25-7) advances to the second round for the 28th time in the past 29 seasons. The Canes will begin a best-of-three series at Starrs Mill (21-6) with a doubleheader on Tuesday in Fayetteville at 4:30 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it will be played on Wednesday at Starrs Mill at 5:30 p.m.

April 24, 2025 Junior and veteran leader of the CHS Varsity Gymnastics Team, Emerie Elrod, competed against 38 of the top vaulters in Georgia at the 2025 GHSA Gymnastics State Preliminaries and delivered a standout vault, scoring a 9.050 to finish in the Top 8 in the state! Now in her second year on the varsity team, Emerie has been a consistent competitor and a true example of leadership and dedication throughout the season. Her outstanding effort has earned her a spot at the 2025 GHSA Gymnastics State Championships in Buford this Friday, April 25th.

April 24, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Nate Russell tossed six shutout innings to help lead the Canes to a 5-0 win in Game 1 of their first-round state playoff series with the Cambridge Bears. Cartersville starting pitcher Nate Russell struck out 11 batters in six innings Wednesday at Richard Bell Field, and the Purple Hurricanes shut out the Cambridge Bears 5-0 in Game 1 of the two teams’ first-round GHSA Class AAAA state playoff series. The game started at 4:30 p.m., and the best-of-three series was scheduled to play a doubleheader on Wednesday, but Mother Nature had different plans. Following a scoreless first inning, lightning in the area and eventual light showers delayed the game for 4-½ hours. Play resumed after 9 p.m., and the Canes responded with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Cartersville would add three more insurance runs in the fifth inning to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Russell scattered two hits over the first six innings and did not walk a batter. He hit one Bears batter, but faced only three more than the minimum while collecting the pitching victory. Maddox Frazier recorded a rare fourth strikeout in his one inning of relief in the seventh. He had one batter reach base on a dropped third strike. David Vargas had two hits and one RBI in Game 1 of the Canes' playoff series with Cambridge. The Hurricanes grabbed their second-inning lead with three singles and a sacrifice fly. Julez Pratt started the offense with a one-out single. Brayden Logan followed with a single, sending Pratt’s courtesy runner Gavin Renegar to third base. Nolan Elrod was retired on a fly ball to left field, allowing Renegar to tag up and score as Logan moved to second base. David Vargas added an RBI single, giving the Canes a 2-0 lead. Vargas also ignited Cartersville’s three-run fifth inning with a leadoff single. Thomas Peters walked, and Tristan McKibben drove in Vargas with a single lined into centerfield. Cole Crawford’s single scored Peters and walks to Pratt and Logan forced in the Canes’ fifth run. Calloway Holmes and Ethan Herrington had the only hits for the Bears. Charlie Paulus (5 IP, 5ER, 7H, 3BB, 3K) made the pitching start for Cambridge (17-13-1) and was saddled with the loss. Brendan O’Dowd (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1K) pitched an inning of relief. McKibben and Vargas finished with two hits and one RBI for Cartersville (24-7). Andrew Purdy, Pratt, Crawford (RBI), and Logan (RBI) added one hit. Elrod contributed one RBI. The series will continue on Thursday with a scheduled doubleheader at 3 p.m. The Cartersville/Cambridge series winner will travel to Starrs Mill for a second-round series next Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, in other playoff action involving Region 7-AAAA teams, Kell eliminated Dalton, Blessed Trinity discarded Cedartown, and Allatoona won two straight over Westminster.

April 24, 2025 Melvin Velasquez The Cass Colonels boys’ soccer team had its season end Wednesday night with a 4-0 loss at Blessed Trinity in the first round of the GHSA Class AAAA state playoffs. The host Titans improved to 11-5 on the season and advanced to face the Midtown / Harris County first-round winner on April 30. The Cass boys had their season end with a 7-9 record.

April 23, 2025 Georgia Highlands baseball went back-and-forth with the Andrew College Tigers Tuesday before escaping with a walk-off 13-12 win in the bottom of the twelfth inning. The lead changed hands or the score was tied nine times as the teams combined to rattle off 26 hits, including four home runs. Wyatt Gatlin hit two home runs, including a walk-off homer in the 12th inning. Georgia Highlands trailed 1-0, led 4-1, trailed 6-4, led 9-6, trailed 10-9, tied the score at 10-all, trailed 12-10, knotted the score again at 12-all, and walked off with a 13-12 win on Wyatt Gatlin’s line drive homer to right field to lead off the bottom of the 12th inning. The Chargers used six pitchers, and Heath Whitlock picked up the win by working a spotless top of the 12th inning. Gavin Webster (3 IP, 6R, 5ER, 2H, 5BB, 1K) started on the mound for GHC. Nickolaus Kane (5 IP, 0R, 5H, 1BB, 8K), Hunter Ward (1 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H, 2BB, 1K), Garrett Goblish (1 IP, 2ER, 2H), and Jackson Greer (0R, 1H, 0BB, 1K) worked in relief. Ali Banks paced the Chargers’ offense with four hits, including two doubles and two RBI. T Phillips contributed three hits, including one home run and five RBI. Gatlin hit two home runs and had three RBI. Grayson Godbee (double, two RBI), Andrew Bishop (double, RBI), Whitlock, and Caden Marcos added one hit. The loss dropped the Tigers to 28-20 overall and 10-13 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings.  Georgia Highlands (38-10, 17-7) has its magic number for clinching the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament down to two. The Chargers lead Gordon College by three games in the conference standings. Any combination of GHC wins and Gordon College losses totaling two gives the Chargers the top spot in the tournament. The Chargers host East Georgia State on Thursday at 3 p.m., entertain South Georgia State for a doubleheader on Tuesday, and wrap up the regular season on Thursday, May 1, at home against Gordon College.

April 22, 2025 The Cartersville High School boys’ golf team hosted and captured the Class AAAA Area 3 Tournament title Tuesday at Cartersville Country Club with a 295 total. Allatoona was second with 315, followed by Dalton (319), Midtown, and Pace Academy rounding out the top five. Bodie Brumlow led the Hurricanes with a 1-under-par 71. Andrew Lutjens carded a 74. Reid Henson, Carsen Stanfield, and Noah Pogue followed with 75s. With Tuesday's victory, Cartersville is exempt from the State Sectional Tournament and advances to the GHSA Class AAAA State Finals Tournament, which will be held May 19-20 at Governors Towne Club in Acworth.

April 22, 2025 Annabelle Williams in a match earlier this season vs. Allatoona. The Cartersville girls’ soccer team had its season end Tuesday night with a first-round playoff loss at Blessed Trinity, 4-0. Lady Canes’ coach MaryBeth Popham commended the team’s efforts. “The girls played an incredible game, but came up short.” The Lady Titans improved to 15-1 and advanced to host Harris County in the second round. The season ends for the Cartersville girls with a 6-10 mark.

April 22, 2025 The Cartersville boys won the Region 7-AAAA Track & Field Championship on Tuesday at Cedartown High School, and the Lady Canes finished runner-up to Allatoona — photo courtesy of Cartersville High Athletics. The Cartersville boys’ track and field team captured the Region 7-AAAA championship on Tuesday at Cedartown High School. The Canes scored 211 points, followed by Allatoona (176), Cedartown (98), Hiram (85), Cass (37), Southeast Whitfield (36), Dalton (30), and Woodland (25). The Lady Canes were runner-up to Allatoona. The Lady Bucs finished with 204 points. Cartersville scored 145. Hiram placed third with 114, followed by Dalton (77), Woodland (47), Cass (45), Cedartown (36), and Southeast Whitfield (25). The top four placers in each event at the region championship meet will advance to the GHSA State Sectional at North Oconee High School on Saturday, May 3. Girls Long Jump 1st - Bayley Stanley, Cartersville, 16-10 Boys Triple Jump 3rd - Actavious Thompson, Cartersville, 41-10.50 Girls High Jump 1st - Nakayla KK Evans, Cass, 4-8 3rd - Amirra Davis, Cartersville, 4-6 4th - Karlee Christian, Cartersville, 4-6 Boys Shot Put 1st - Thoreau Lipscomb, Cartersville, 52-2 2nd - Langston Hogg, Cartersville, 45-5.50 Boys 3200 Meter Run 2nd - Ethan Empie, Cartersville, 10:19.21 Boys 4x800 Meter Relay 1st - Cartersville (8:23.22) — Tripp Chitwood, Kyle Camper II, Ethan Empie, Will Feuerbach Girls 100 Meter Hurdles 1st - Laney Saunders, Cartersville, 17.30 3rd - Nakayla KK Evans, Cass, 18.18 4th - Maloni Rodriguez, Woodland, 18.27 Boys 110 Meter Hurdle 3rd - Cam’ren Collum, Cartersville, 15.69 Girls 100 Meter Dash 3rd - Bayley Stanley, Cartersville, 12.85 Boys 100 Meter Dash 2nd - Brady Marchese, Cartersville, 10.92 3rd - Madoxx Davis, Cartersville, 11.10 4th - Tyon Coe, Cartersville, 11.13 Girls 4x200 Meter Relay 3rd - Cartersville (1:52.10) — Bayley Stanley, Alex Hampton, Karlee Christian, Leyla Booth 4th - Woodland (1:53.33) — Ja’zavia Bryan, Alana Carnes, Kirae Grayson, Brynna Roberts Boys 4x200 Meter Relay 2nd - Cartersville (1:29.71) —Bryson Everett, Madoxx Davis, Tyon Coe, Actavious Thompson Girls 1600 Meter Run 1st - Sofia Burns, Cartersville, 5:39.96 3rd - Kimberly Guerra, Cartersville 5:47.99 Boys 400 Meter Dash 2nd - Rowen Lee, Woodland, 50.42 3rd - Actavious Thompson, Cartersville, 50.76 Girls 300 Meter Hurdles 2nd - Leyla Booth, Cartersville, 50.55 Boys 300 Meter Hurdles 3rd - Thomas Smith, Cartersville, 42.70 Boys 800 Meter Run 1st - Will Feuerbach, Cartersville, 2:00.98 Girls 200 Meter Dash 3rd - Bayley Stanley, Cartersville, 27.00 Boys 200 Meter Dash 2nd - Bryson Everett, Cartersville, 22.71 4th - Madoxx Davis, Cartersville, 22.84 Girls 4x400 Meter Relay 1st - Cartersville (4:18.63 — Alex Hampton, Addi Burns, Sofia Burns, Leyla Booth 4th - Woodland (4:30.47) — Brynna Roberts, Kirae Grayson, Cyler Williams, Miranda Pelow Girls Triple Jump 4th - Karlee Christian, Cartersville, 31-0.50 Girls Pole Vault 2nd - Laney Saunders, Cartersville, 8-6 3rd - Sydney Jackson, Cartersville, 8-0 Boys Discus Throw 1st - Thoreau Lipscomb, Cartersville, 147-9 2nd - Malik Henry, Cass, 132-0 3rd - Langston Hogg, Cartersville, 129-10 4th - Adrian Dye, Cass, 124-1 Girls Shot Put 2nd - Kiana McDaniel, Cass, 34-2 4th - Yvonne Ellison, Cass, 29-9 Boys High Jump 1st - Xavier Lowe, Cass, 5-8 2nd - Cam’ren Collum, Cartersville, 5-8 3rd - Kenneth Wilkey, Cartersville, 5-8 Girls 3200 Meter Run 1st - Allison Snead, Woodland, 12:31.34 3rd - Kimberly Guerra, Cartersville, 12:38.77 Girls 4x800 Meter Relay 2nd - Cartersville (10:47.13) —Genevieve Alessandro, Sofia Burns, Hadley Finnemore, Kimberly Guerra Boys 1600 Meter Run 1st - Will Feuerbach, Cartersville, 4:37.40 3rd - Ethan Empie, Cartersville, 4:42.17 Girls 4x100 Meter Relay 4th - Cass (53.00) — Kamerynn Easterling, KK Evans, Kiana McDaniel, Javia Woodard Boys 4x100 Meter Relay 2nd - Cartersville (43.16) — Bryson Everett, Madoxx Davis, Brady Marchese, Tyon Coe Girls 800 Meter Run 3rd - Sofia Burns, Cartersville, 2:29.28 Boys 4x400 Meter Relay 1st - Cartersville (3:22.43) — Actavious Thompson, Barrett Stepp, Tripp Chitwood, Will Feuerbach 4th - Woodland (3:42.08) — James Morris, Landon Dougherty, Rowen Lee, Kaleb Dennis

April 21, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … picked up his first pitching victory of the season with a five-inning start on April 16 at home against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The 24-year-old righty allowed a solo home run, but scattered four other hits and one walk while fanning three. Las Vegas went 4-2 last week against Sugar Land. The Aviators began the week with a 14-7 record, leading the Pacific Coast League West by three games over Sacramento. They play six games this week at the Round Rock Express. LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … evened his season record at 1-1 with a pitching win last Saturday in a five-inning start at the Beloit Sky Carp. The 23-year-old right-handed hurler allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out eight. The River Bandits won 7-1. Quad Cities went 4-1 during the week at Beloit and are currently leading the Midwest League West Division with a 10-4 mark. This week, they host six games with the Peoria Chiefs. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … in two starts and five appearances at the Charlotte Knights, he was 2-for-3 with one home run, one walk, and two RBI. The Sounds won five of six games last week at Charlotte and improved to 12-8. They host the Durham Bulls for six games this week. CHINA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (6th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled 29 points, including 20 in Game 3, but the Flying Tigers lost to the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the playoff quarterfinals in three straight games. Hagans also totaled eight rebounds and 16 assists in the three playoff games. Xinjiang finished the year with a 34-17 record. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … was the individual medalist at The Ford hosted by Georgia Southern University April 14-16 at The Ford Field & River Club in Savannah. Brumlow fired rounds of 71-71-69 (5-under) and edged Bulldog teammate Grayson Wood for the tournament title in a tie-breaker. Georgia placed fourth behind Texas, LSU, and Auburn in the 12-team field. The Bulldogs play in the SEC Championship at Sea Island Golf Club Wednesday through Sunday. BRODY TIDWELL — Georgia State University (So., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 71-76-74 (5-over) and placed 23rd April 14-16 at The Ford Field & River Club in Savannah as the Panthers finished 11th at The Ford Collegiate. GSU competes in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Monday through Thursday in Madison, Mississippi. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 6 singles match 6-1, 3-6,6-1, but lost at Line 2 doubles with partner Linn Goerdes 4-6 in a Nighthawks’ 4-3 victory last week over 12th-ranked Columbus State University. She also had an unfinished singles match in Montgomery in UNG’s 4-1 team win over 15th-ranked Mississippi College. Bush was trailing 6-3, 5-3 when her match was stopped. Teaming with Goerdes again, they dropped a Line 2 doubles match 1-6. The Nighthawks host Georgia Southwestern State on Monday, and the Peach Belt Conference Tournament starts on Friday at Columbus State. EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … dropped her Line 1 singles match 2-6, 3-6 last Thursday in the Bulldogs’ 0-4 loss to East Tennessee State at the Southern Conference Tournament in Chattanooga. Surcey and partner Sara Erenda were trailing 2-5 at Line 1 doubles when their match was stopped. She went 6-12 at Line 1 singles in her senior season for Samford and was 8-5 in doubles matches. In her junior season, she was 13-10 in singles and 9-11 in doubles. Before arriving at Samford, Surcey compiled a 21-18 singles record and a 22-18 doubles record at Arkansas State and Mississippi State University. BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Grad student, Woodland HS) … dropped his Line 2 singles match 1-6, 6-7 and lost at Line 2 doubles with partner Leyton Dunn 3-6 on April 15 at Centre College (KY). The host Colonels took the match 4-1. The Lions will face 6th-ranked Huntingdon College on Thursday in Chattanooga at the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament. TRACK AND FIELD HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) …placed 10th in the shot put (41-3.25) and 10th in the javelin throw (126-7) at the Mountain Laurel Invitational hosted by Sewanee University of the South. The Vikings finished fourth of 14 teams, with Alabama-Huntsville winning the team title. Next for Berry is the Southern Athletic Association Championships at Sewanee on Friday and Saturday. JUNE DELAUDER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … placed seventh (1:14.96) in the 400-meter hurdles and was ninth (17.42) in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2025 Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Johnson City, TN last weekend. KENDRICK PRICE — Troy University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … placed 58th (10.95) in the 100-meter dash and was 61st (22.22) in the 200-meter dash at the Georgia Tech Invitational last Saturday in Atlanta. The Trojans will compete in Philadelphia at The Penn Relays Thursday through Saturday. ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (J., Cartersville HS) … placed 34th (15.16) in the 110-meter hurdles and was 34th i(55.70) in the 400-meter hurdles at the Georgia Tech Invitational last Saturday. The Bruins will run in the Outdoor Music City Challenge this weekend in Nashville. JOE WOMACK — Furman University (Fr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … finished 23rd (50.40) in the 400-meter dash this past weekend at the Wake Forest Invitational. This weekend, the Paladins will have competitors at the Penn Relays in Pennsylvania and the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford University. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-9 at the plate in two wins over Erskine College on April 14 and two losses to Southern Wesleyan University on April 16. The hit was a double. She also had a sacrifice hit and one walk. The Hawks (13-30, 10-14 Conference Carolinas) will open play in the Duncan, South Carolina, conference tournament on Thursday. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … started one home game last week and was 1-for-3 at the plate in a 5-4 loss to Gordon State College. The Chargers (30-14, 11-5 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) host East Georgia State for two games on Thursday and South Georgia State for a doubleheader on Saturday. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … earned her tenth pitching win of the season and made two appearances last weekend at home against Drexel University. The two-time conference Pitcher of the Week went all five innings last Friday in a 9-1 win, allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Last Saturday, she pitched three innings of relief to close out an 8-2 conference win. Gregory allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts. The Camels (33-12, 18-3 Coastal Athletic Conference) host Duke on Wednesday and play a three-game conference series at College of Charleston Friday through Sunday. ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (So, Cass HS) … went 7-for-11, including two doubles and three home runs, adding 10 RBI in four games last week. The Eagles won two at home against Brenau University (GA) on April 14 and won two at Milligan University (TN) last Friday. Reinhardt (26-8, 23-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) will be the No. 1 or 2 seed in the AAC Tournament April 28-May 2 in Kingsport, Tennessee. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (So., Adairsville HS) … made a catching start April 16 and was 0-for-3 at the plate in a home loss to Emory University. The Lions (23-17, 10-6 Collegiate Conference of the South) will play in the CCS Tournament beginning May 1. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 2-for-10, including one double, two walks, and five RBI in doubleheader wins last week at home over Brenau University (GA) and at Milligan University (TN). Reinhardt (26-8, 23-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) begins play in the AAC Tournament April 28-May 2 in Kingsport, Tennessee. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 3-for-10, including two home runs, one double, one hit by pitch, and four RBI as the Blazers dropped two of three games last weekend in Memphis at Christian Brothers University. Valdosta State (25-21, 18-11 Gulf South Conference) hosts the University of West Florida for three games on Friday and Saturday. AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … had three hits in seven official at-bats last Friday and Saturday as the Flames dropped two of three games at the University of West Alabama. Perkins had one home run, a double, a sacrifice hit, a walk, and an RBI, and scored two runs in the series. Lee (23-24, 10-19 Gulf South Conference) hosts Trevecca Nazarene University for three games on Friday and Saturday. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … went 5-for-11, including one double and one RBI in four Tigers’ losses last week. TSU lost at UT-Chattanooga on April 16 and all three home games with Eastern Illinois last Friday and Saturday. The Tigers (20-17, 10-10 Ohio Valley Conference) host Middle Tennessee on Tuesday night and visit UT Martin for three conference games on Saturday and Sunday. BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … pitched 1-⅔ innings of scoreless relief in a 4-3 home loss April 15 to Thomas University (GA). Billings scattered three hits and struck out one in his appearance during the sixth and seventh innings. The Eagles (20-16, 9-3 NCCAA D2 South) host John Melvin Christian for a doubleheader on Saturday. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 9-for-14, including one home run and four RBI as the Panthers lost three games at Maryville College (TN) last Thursday through Saturday. LaGrange (15-21, 7-8 Collegiate Conference of the South) concludes regular season play on Thursday through Saturday at home against conference foe Huntingdon College. HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … in three home wins over Toccoa Falls College last Thursday and Friday, Childers was 6-for-9 at the plate, including one walk, one hit by pitch, five runs scored, and two RBI. The Stallions (29-14, 15-12 Southern States Athletic Conference) have a three-game home conference series with Thomas University (GA) on Thursday and Friday. CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-15 at the plate in a loss to Georgia and three losses at Miami (FL) last week. Daniel had one double, two walks, and two RBI. Georgia Tech (29-11, 14-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) visits 11th-ranked Auburn on Tuesday and hosts Virginia from Friday through Sunday. MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a one-inning relief appearance last Saturday in the Fire’s 11-10 home win over 25th-ranked Keiser University. Earwood had one strikeout. Southeastern (36-10, 15-9 The Sun Conference) plays four conference games this weekend at St. Thomas University (FL) in Miami Gardens.  ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 7-for-15 at the plate last week as the Scots beat Sewanee on April 15 and won two of three with Ferrum College (VA) last Friday and Saturday. Eastin had one double, three walks, scored five runs, and had one RBI. He added one stolen base. Covenant (16-20, 2-13 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Berry College on Tuesday and entertains Asbury University (KY) for three games on Friday and Saturday. COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … faced five batters and retired two outs in the seventh inning April 15 in an 11-2 home loss to Virginia Tech. Eaton allowed two earned runs on three hits with one strikeout. The Buccaneers (27-11, 8-4 Southern Conference) visit Appalachian State on Tuesday and play three games at Toledo this weekend. RYAN FARR — Kentucky Christian University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made a 1-⅓ innings relief appearance April 16 during a 17-7 loss at Columbia International University. Farr allowed four earned runs on two hits and five walks in the seventh and eighth innings. He struck out one. The Crusaders (14-27, 4-23 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Alice Lloyd (KY) on Tuesday and St. Andrews University (NC) for three games on Thursday and Friday. DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … appeared in six games last week and was 5-for-22 at the plate, including one home run, one double, three walks, seven runs scored, six RBI, and two stolen bases. The Moose (8-16, 6-7 Yankee Small College Conference) visit Great Bay CC on Tuesday, Maine-Farmington CC for a doubleheader on Wednesday, host Maine-Presque Isle on Thursday, and New Hampshire Tech on Sunday. SAM MELTON — Guilford College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a start at second base April 15 and was 1-for-3 with one RBI on a sacrifice fly in a 7-3 win at Carolina University (NC). The Quakers (21-13, 8-11 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) went 3-1 last week. Guilford plays at Roanoke College (VA) on Tuesday, at Southern Virginia University on Wednesday, and hosts a doubleheader with Randolph-Macon College on Saturday. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 6-for-16 with four walks, four runs scored, and one RBI last week as the Cougars lost at Middle Georgia State but won two of three at Georgia College. Columbus State (24-20, 14-10 Peach Belt Conference) visits the University of Montevallo (AL) on Tuesday and concludes the regular season on Friday and Saturday with three conference games at Claflin University (SC). PEARSE MULLINAX — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a 1-⅓ innings relief appearance last Thursday in an 11-4 loss at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He faced eight batters in the fifth and sixth innings, allowing three earned runs on no hits but three walks. He struck out one. The Screamin’ Eagles (19-25, 1-2 National Christian College Athletic Association D2 South Region) visit Truett-McConnell University on Tuesday and host a three-game series with the University of Pikeville on Friday and Saturday. AYDEN RAY — USC Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … started at first base in a home game April 16 against the Carolina Rays. He was 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored in a 14-4 victory. The Lancers (22-23, 14-13 NJCAA Region 10) went 2-2 during the week, winning two of three games at USC Union. They finish regular season play on Saturday and Sunday at home against Gaston College. HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made starts at home last Thursday and Saturday against the University of North Florida. He was 2-for-5 at the plate, including one sacrifice, one run scored, and one RBI. He also reached base twice after being hit by a pitch. The Wolves dropped two of three to the Ospreys. UWG (17-20, 8-10 Atlantic Sun Conference) plays at Georgia State Tuesday night and has a three-game conference series at Jacksonville University on Friday through Sunday. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a brief pitching start with no decision last Friday as the Scots came from behind to beat Ferrum College (VA) 13-11 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Smith gave up four earned runs on five hits, one walk, and one hit by pitch. Covenant (16-20, 2-13 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Berry College on Tuesday and Asbury University (KY) for three games on Friday and Saturday. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-10 with one home run, two walks, and scored five runs as the Phoenix won two of three games last Friday and Saturday at Freed-Hardeman (TN). Cumberland (31-14-1, 11-4 Mid-South Conference) hosts 3rd-ranked Reinhardt University on Tuesday and entertains the University of the Cumberlands (KY) for three games on Friday and Saturday. DAVIS WILLIAMS — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … faced five batters and worked a scoreless ninth inning last Saturday in a 10-3 home loss to the University of North Florida. He allowed one hit and recorded one strikeout. The Wolves (17-20, 8-10 Atlantic Sun Conference) play at Georgia State Tuesday night and have a three-game conference series at Jacksonville University on Friday through Sunday. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … faced six batters and recorded four outs in the sixth and seventh innings April 15 in a 10-6 loss at Middle Georgia State. Wilson yielded two earned runs on three hits. The Cougars (24-20, 14-10 Peach Belt Conference) visit the University of Montevallo (AL) on Tuesday and complete regular season conference play at Claflin University (SC) on Friday and Saturday.

April 21, 2025 The Cartersville boys’ golf team finished runner-up Monday at the Allatoona High School Spring Breakout Invitational at The Governors Golf Club. The Canes shot 290 and finished runner-up to defending Class AAAA state champion, North Oconee. Bodie Brumlow led the Canes, carding a 5-under-par 67. Andrew Lutjens fired a round of 70 that included nine birdies. Reid Henson followed with a 74, and Carter Rice shot 76 to round out the Cartersville scoring. Cartersville hosts the Area Championship Tournament on Tuesday at Cartersville Country Club.

April 19, 2025 Grayson Godbee had three hits, including one double and one home run, in the Chargers' home win Friday over East Georgia State. Both teams produced plenty of offense Friday, but the host Chargers outscored the East Georgia State Bobcats 13-9 in the second game of a four-game conference series. Grayson Godbee had a big day at the plate for GHC, collecting three hits in five plate appearances. Godbee singled in the second inning, hit a solo home run to center field in the sixth inning, and tripled in the same frame. The two teams traded two-run home runs in the early going. East Georgia led 2-0 after one inning on a two-run home run. Georgia Highlands answered with Andrew Bishop’s two-run blast in the second inning, and the Bobcats took a 4-2 lead with another home run in the top of the third. In the bottom of the sixth, the Chargers sent twelve men to the plate and scored nine runs to go up 13-4, but East Georgia didn’t go away easily. The Bobcats hit two more homers in the top of the seventh to post five runs in the frame, but would get no closer in the final innings. GHC utilized four pitchers in the victory.  Max Eichenberger made the start and allowed four earned runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out four. Brodie Chestnutt entered in the sixth inning and recorded one out in the seventh. Chestnutt gave up five earned runs on four hits and one walk. William Homan allowed two hits and one walk, but recorded the final two outs of the seventh. Jackson Greer closed out the final two innings without yielding a run, hit, or walk. Greer fanned three of six faced. Eight of nine Chargers in the batting order had at least one hit. In addition to the performance by Godbee, Kenskey Thomas (triple, two RBI), Heath Whitlock, and Caden Marcos had two hits. Ali Banks (double, sac fly, three RBI), Bishop (three RBI), Ian Fullerton (double, RBI), and Ryan Martin (RBI) added one hit.  The loss dropped East Georgia State to 22-23 overall and 8-12 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Georgia Highlands improved to 36-9 overall and 15-6 in conference play. The two teams conclude their series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

April 18, 2025 The Cass Lady Colonels wrapped up their 2025 season Thursday night with a shootout win at Pebblebrook in Mableton, but the state tournament-bound Colonels lost to the Falcons 7-1. The Cass girls led 1-0 at halftime, but the Lady Falcons scored an equalizer goal in the second half.  The Lady Colonels then won the shootout session 3-2 to end their season on a winning note. In the boys’ match, Pebblebrook led 2-0 at the intermission and added five second-half goals. The Cass boys scored their goal in the second half. The Pebblebrook boys improved to 13-4-1 overall and will begin next week’s state tournament as a No. 1 seed from Region 3-AAAAA. The Lady Falcons fell to 5-13. The Lady Colonels finished the 2025 campaign with a 2-12 mark.  The Cass boys (7-8) will open the Class AAAA state tournament on Wednesday at Region 6-AAAA runner-up Blessed Trinity.