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May 11, 2024 The top-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes overpowered the Ware County Gators at the plate and on the mound on Saturday in a Class 5A state semifinal series sweep. The 11-2 and 10-0 wins in Waycross put Cartersville in the state finals for the eleventh time in school history. A seven-run second inning launched the Cartersville offense in the first game. In the second game, pitcher Sawyer Wilson tossed a six-inning, no-hitter and the Canes rattled off a dozen hits. Ryan Johnson made the pitching start in the opener for the Hurricanes and earned the win by striking out nine in five innings. He allowed just one earned run on seven hits with no walks. Logan Shrewsbury closed out the final six outs with no runs on one hit and one walk. The reliever struck out two. Caleb Daniel (home run, double, two RBIs), Andrew Purdy (double, four RBIs), and Cole Cochran (two RBIs) paced the Hurricanes’ offense with four hits in the doubleheader. Landon Cole (triple, RBI) followed with a three-hit day. Cole Crawford (home run, double, four RBIs), Luke Miller (double, RBI), Aidan Larkin (two RBIs), and Turner Abernathy (two RBIs) finished with two hits. Tristan McKibben (RBI) added one hit and Charlie Rothschild contributed one RBI. The season ends for the Gators with a 25-13 record. Cartersville (31-5) will face perennial power Loganville in the state championship best-of-three series. The series will begin with a doubleheader on Thursday at the Gwinnett Stripers Coolray Field. If a third game is needed it will be on Friday. Loganville (25-12) is the Region 8-5A champion. The Red Devils have gone 8-0 in the playoffs with series wins over Chapel Hill, Woodland, McIntosh, and Kell. Loganville defeated Kell 5-2 and 8-2 on Saturday and is playing in a state championship series for the eighth straight year.

May 11, 2024 The 2024 GHSA State Track and Field Championships concluded on Saturday with plenty of local athletes earning points. The local highlights included the Cartersville boys' 4x800 meter relay team placing second in Class 5A and Kaitlyn Godwin of Cass placing in the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter sprints. Class 5A Boys in Carrollton Cartersville results in State Finals (16th, 18.50 points) 2nd — 4x800M Relay (Will Feuerbach, Barrett Stepp, Malachi Vosburgh, Carson Robinson) 5th — Kendrick Price — 100M Dash — 11.01 6th — 4x200M Relay (Bryson Everett, Khristian Lando, Tyon Coe, Brady Marchese) T6th — Monterius Tolbert — High Jump — 6-0 8th — Thoreau Lipscomb — Shot Put — 40-0.75 9th — Thoreau Lipscomb — Discus Throw — 139.0 T9th — Cam’ren Collum — High Jump — 6-0 6th * — 4x100M Relay (Kendrick Price, Brady Marchese, Stephen Rowser, Khristian Lando) 10th * — 4x400M Relay (Kemarie Mitchell, Jaiven Johnson, Will Feuerbach, Barrett Stepp) — 3:23.22 11th * — Will Feuerbach — 800M Run — 1:59.43 14th * — Kemarie Mitchell — 400M Dash — 50.22 16th * — Kendrick Price — 200M Dash — 22.65 * Preliminary Woodland results in State Finals (26th, 8 points) 4th — Zachary Wiggins — 300M Hurdles — 38.38 6th — Landon McSwain — 3200M Run — 9:38.11 12th — Jamarion Walker — Long Jump — 21-1.75 16th — Landon McSwain — 1600M Run — 4:49.61 13th * — Andy Forsyth — 800M Run — 1:59.81 13th * — Zachary Wiggins — 110M Hurdles — 15.27 * Preliminary Class 5A Girls in Carrollton Cass results in State Finals (22nd, 11 points) 3rd — Kaitlyn Godwin — 400M Dash — 56.46 5th — Kaitlyn Godwin — 200M Dash — 24.65 8th — Kaitlyn Godwin — 100M Dash — 12.33 14th — Nakayla KK Evans — High Jump — 4-6 13th * — 4x100M Relay (Markayla Sanford, Liala Webb, Nakayla KK Evans, Kaitlyn Godwin) * Preliminary Cartersville results in State Finals (32nd, 4 points) 5th —Allana Williams —Shot Put — 37-9.50 T9th — Laney Saunders — Pole Vault — 9-0 T12th — Elizabeth Hardy — Pole Vault — 8-0 Woodland results in State Finals (no points) 15th — Addison Brown — 3200M Run — 12:50.35 Class 3A Girls in Albany Adairsville results in State Finals (33rd, 2 points) 8th — Aliyah McBryde — High Jump — 4-10 8th — Nicole Perez — Discus Throw — 108-1 10th —Aliyah McBryde — 100M Hurdles — 16.59 Class 3A Boys in Albany Adairsville results in State Finals (34th, 2 points) 7th — Noah Matthews — Triple Jump — 42-9.50 T10th — Kenneth Wilkey — High Jump — 6-0 12th — Norman Poch — 400M Dash — 51.56 12th — Charles Coleman — Long Jump — 20-11 13th — Ben Abernathy — Triple Jump — 41-1.50 13th — 4x800M Relay (Logan Franklin, Aaron Souders, Norman Poch, Griffin Bozeman) — 8:52.02 16th — Logan Franklin —800M Run — 2:10.59 Results from ga.milesplit.com

May 9, 2024 It was an outstanding birthday gift for Georgia Highlands baseball coach Dash O’Neill on Thursday. The Chargers beat Gordon State for a second straight day to win the 2024 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament championship on their home field in Cartersville. Georgia Highlands trailed 3-1 in the middle of the fourth inning but the Chargers smacked four home runs in the game and scored seven runs across their final three offensive frames to defeat the Highlanders, 10-3. On the mound, GHC’s Chandler Anderson tossed a nine-inning complete game. The Morgan County High School product allowed three earned runs — all on solo homers. His pitching line included six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. He improved to 9-0 on the season. Luke Orfi led the Georgia Highlands offense with three hits including a homer and three RBIs. Grayson Godbee (home run, two RBIs) and Ryan Martin (solo home run) finished with two hits. Ryan Wideman (double, RBI), Will Cawthon (solo home run), Ali Banks (two RBIs), and Barrett Eldridge (double) added one hit for the Chargers. The season ends for Gordon State with a 33-22 record. Georgia Highlands (51-7) advances to the NJCAA Appalachian District Championship Series after going 3-0 in the conference tournament this week. The best-of-three series for the District title is next Tuesday through Thursday. The games will be played at the site of the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association champion. The TCCAA championship round is on Friday in Columbia, Tennessee. Dyersburg State needs one win on Friday to win that tournament. Cleveland State needs to beat Dyersburg State twice. The winner of the Appalachian District series next week advances to the 10-team NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado on May 25-June 1.

May 8, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Luke Orfi and Clay Wiesen both produced three hits including a home run and four RBIs and starting pitcher Michael Sharman tossed seven solid innings Wednesday afternoon as the Georgia Highlands Chargers defeated the Gordon State Highlanders 10-5 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference tournament in Cartersville. The Highlanders led in the first inning on a two-run homer by Kaleb Huffman but their advantage would be short-lived. Orfi blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning for a 3-2 Chargers lead and they would not trail again. Wiesen hit a three-run blast in the fourth and Davis Newman homered to right field in the fifth inning to build an 8-2 lead. Wiesen then singled into left field two batters later to make it 9-2. “Those guys (Orfi and Wiesen) are just playing their game and doing what they’ve done all year,” said Chargers’ coach Dash O’Neill. “They’ve produced and we’re fortunate to have good depth in our lineup. The guys at the bottom of the order do a great job turning the lineup over and creating chances for the guys at the top,” he added. The Highlanders narrowed the margin to 9-4 in the top of the seventh on a Casual Kay home run. In the seventh, Orfi drove in Gray Wilson with a single to round out the Georgia Highlands scoring. Mason Moore hit a solo home run in the eighth for Gordon State but that would also be the Highlanders final tally. Newman (homer, two RBIs) and Barrett Eldridge finished with two hits for GHC. Wilson, Grayson Godbee, and Ryan Wideman added one hit each to the Chargers’ 13-hit total. Sharman, an Etowah High School product, went seven innings on the mound to collect the pitching victory — his tenth of the year. He scattered eight hits and one walk while recording three strikeouts. O’Neill talked about his starting pitcher after the game. “Sharman has just been a pleasure to coach. He’s very consistent and reliable and he goes out and competes every week. I couldn’t be more proud of his progression and we have a ton of confidence when he is on the bump,” said O’Neill. Andrew Arnold retired the final six outs in the eighth and ninth innings. Arnold yielded one earned run on two hits with no walks and one strikeout. The win for Georgia Highlands was their 50th of the year and it places them in the conference championship round needing just one more win to capture the tournament title. The Chargers (50-7) already own the regular season title and are currently ranked No. 3 nationally in the latest NJCAA poll. When asked about the 50-win plateau, O’Neill deflected the reflection to the future. “That’s something I’ll have a chance to think about when the season is over, but right now this is really about the players and the opportunity they have created for themselves.” Gordon State defeated South Georgia State 14-5 in an elimination game later in the day on Wednesday to earn a rematch with the Chargers in the final round. The Highlanders (33-21) must defeat GHC twice on Thursday. O’Neill was asked about Thursday’s pitching assignments. “We haven’t made any decisions yet,” noted the coach. “We are going to see how the game tonight (Gordon v. South Georgia) goes and then decide how we want to attack the day tomorrow.”

May 7, 2024 Top-seeded Georgia Highlands College baseball took its first post-season step forward Tuesday afternoon on its home field in Cartersville, defeating ABAC 11-3 in seven innings in the second round of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. GHC had a first-round bye on Monday. Abraham Baldwin defeated East Georgia State 15-4 on Monday in the opening round. Trip Dovale tossed a complete game on the mound for the Chargers, Ryan Martin homered twice, and Clay Wiesen was 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. “The first inning was a big key for us today,” said GHC coach Dash O’Neill. “They got a lead-off hit but Dovale got out of it with a double play and a strikeout. (Luke) Orfi and (Clay) Wiesen then went back-to-back to start the game. It was a huge boost.” The Chargers posted four runs in the bottom of the first and added single runs in the second and third frames to build a 6-0 advantage. The Stallions hit solo home runs in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings to produce their runs. GHC made it 8-2 through six innings with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Chargers then ended the game by run rule in the bottom of the seventh by posting three more runs. Georgia Highlands outhit ABAC twelve to six and did not commit an error. Dovale (7 IP, 3ER, 6H, 0BB, 5K) fanned five and issued no walks to collect the pitching win. He improved to 11-1 on the season with his third complete game. Wiesen paced the offense with four hits including a homer, a double, and three RBIs. Orfi (solo home run, double), Ryan Martin (two solo homers), and Gray Wilson (two RBIs) had two hits each. Grayson Godbee (double, RBI) and Ryan Wideman (RBI) added one hit. Ali Banks chipped in with one RBI. ABAC (19-30) falls to the elimination round on Wednesday at 10 a.m. against the Gordon State / South Georgia State loser from Tuesday afternoon. Third-ranked nationally, Georgia Highlands (49-7) plays the Gordon State / South Georgia State winner on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The winner of that game advances to the conference championship round on Thursday needing just one additional win to take the title in the double-elimination tournament. Gordon State and South Georgia State were scheduled for a 3 p.m. start on Tuesday. “Both of those teams are good,” said O’Neill. “It will be a challenge whoever we face.”

May 4, 2024 The GHSA Track and Field State Sectionals were Saturday at various locations for all classifications. The top eight placers in each event have advanced to the State Finals for their respective classifications. The State Finals for Class 5A will be May 9-11 at Carrollton High School. The State Finals for Class 3A will be May 9-11 at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany. Note: For relay team members not listed, coaches are encouraged to supply that information to BSZ. Email Charles Wilson at BartowSportsZone@comcast.net. Class 5A Sectional B — Union Grove HS — McDonough, GA Cartersville State Finals Qualifiers 2nd — Boys 4x800M Relay — 8:11.16 -- (Will Feuerbach, Barrett Stepp, Malachi Vosburgh, Carson Robinson) 2nd — Kendrick Price — 100M Dash — 10.72 2nd — Elizabeth Hardy — Pole Vault — 8-6 2nd — Allana Williams — Shot Put — 39-6.50 4th — Thoreau Lipscomb — Shot Put — 47-6.75 5th — Kendrick Price — 200M Dash — 22.00 5th — Cam’ren Collum — High Jump — 6-0 5th — Monterius Tolbert — High Jump — 6-0 5th — Boys 4x400M Relay — 3:25.51 -- (Will Feuerbach, Kemari Mitchell, Jaiven Johnson, Barrett Stepp) 6th — Will Feuerbach — 800M Run — 2:00.13 6th — Boys 4x100M Relay — 42.15 -- (Stephen Rowser, Kendrick Price, Brady Marchese, Caleb Cooley, Quashawn Lopez) 7th — Laney Saunders — Pole Vault — 8-6 7th — Thoreau Lipscomb — Discus Throw — 136-0 7th — Boys 4x200M Relay — 1:29.38 -- (Tyon Coe, Brady Marchese, Khristian Lando, Bryson Everett) 8th — Kemarie Mitchell — 400M Dash — 50.45 Class 5A Sectional B — Union Grove HS — McDonough, GA Woodland State Finals Qualifiers 1st — Andy Forsyth — 800M Run — 1:57.91 2nd — Zachary Wiggins — 300M Hurdles — 38.61 3rd — Zachary Wiggins — 110M Hurdles — 14.72 3rd — Landon McSwain — 3200M Run — 9:45.20 4th — Jamarion Walker — Long Jump — 21-8.50 5th — Landon McSwain — 1600M Run — 4:27.97 8th — Addison Brown — 3200M Run — 13:18.83 Class 5A Sectional B — Union Grove HS — McDonough, GA Cass State Finals Qualifiers 1st — Kaitlyn Godwin — 200M Dash — 24.46 1st — Kaitlyn Godwin — 400M Dash — 58.69 6th — Kaitlyn Godwin — 100M Dash — 12.13 6th — Girls 4x100M Relay — 49.51 -- (Markayla Stanford, Nakayla (KK) Evens, Nyliah Woods , Kaitlyn Godwin) 8th — Nakayla KK Evans — High Jump — 4-10 Class 3A Sectional B — Franklin County HS — Carnesville, GA Adairsville State Finals Qualifiers 3rd — Noah Matthews — Triple Jump — 43-4 3rd — Aliya McBryde — High Jump — 4-10 4th — Norman Poch — 400M Dash — 51.19 5th — Ben Abernathy — Triple Jump — 43-0.25 5th — Nicole Perez — Discus Throw — 105-6 7th — Charles Coleman — Long Jump — 20-6.75 8th — Kenneth Wilkey — High Jump — 6-0 8th — Aliya McBryde — 100M Hurdles — 16.76 8th — Boys 4x800M Relay — 8:47.58 8th — Callie Viktora — 3200M Run — 13:08.54

May 6, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com This week’s edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow includes updates for the week ending Sunday, May 5. It highlights the contributions made by locals with their professional and collegiate teams across the nation. Vic Beasley, Jr., a defensive end and outside linebacker for the United Football League’s Arlington Renegades, had his most productive game of the 2024 season but his team lost its sixth straight. In addition, you will find updates from Minor League Baseball, the Basketball Super League, college softball, baseball, golf, and track and field. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Northwest Arkansas Naturals (3rd-yr. pro; Kansas City Royals Double-A affiliate; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made a five-inning start last Wednesday for a no-decision in an eventual 6-5 home loss to the Wichita Wind Surge. Barnett allowed two earned runs on three hits, one walk, and one hit batsman. He struck out seven facing 20 batters. The Naturals (12-13) went 3-2 last week against Wichita and have a six-game home series on Tuesday through Sunday with the Springfield Cardinals. LOGAN MARTIN — Columbia Fireflies (2nd-yr. pro; Kansas City Royals Single-A affiliate; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) …. rainouts this past Saturday and Sunday interrupted Martin’s pitching rotation last week. The Fireflies (13-11) host the Salem Red Sox for a six-game series on Tuesday through Sunday. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (7th-yr. pro; NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; Cartersville HS) … made five starts at second base last week in a home series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Seigler was 3-for-16 at the plate with one double and one walk. The Patriots (12-14) have a six-game series on Tuesday through Sunday at the Altoona Curve. UFL VIC BEASLEY, JR. — Arlington Renegades (10th-yr. pro; Clemson; Adairsville HS) … had his most productive game of the season with four total tackles including one sack but the Renegades lost this past Sunday at the Michigan Panthers, 28-27. Arlington (0-6) hosts the Memphis Showboats on Saturday at noon. BASKETBALL SUPER LEAGUE A.J. MOSBY, JR. — Sudbury Five (6th-yr. pro; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … scored 22 points with six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in The Five’s first playoff game this past Saturday. Sudbury lost 106-101 at the London Lightning and will host Game 2 in the best-of-five series on Monday night. Game 3 is on Wednesday in London. Game 4 and Game 5 (if needed) will be a home game for The Five on Friday and the series will wrap in London on Sunday. SOFTBALL ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) … went 4-for-10 with two walks, two runs scored, and three RBIs as the Eagles went 4-0 to win the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee. RU had tourney wins over Bryan, Brenau, and two over Tennessee Wesleyan. The Eagles (42-8) await their NAIA Opening Round double-elimination tournament assignment to be announced on Tuesday. The Opening Round will be May 13-16. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … was entered defensively at catcher in the sixth inning last Friday in a 4-2 loss to Maryville College (Tenn.) at the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament in Birmingham. Piedmont finished the season with an 18-21 record. Jarrett his .233 with three RBIs in her freshman season in 30 at-bats. She had a .966 fielding percentage in 58 defensive chances. SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Jr., Adairsville HS) … entered as a pinch hitter and remained in the game as the designated hitter in an 8-2 conference tournament home loss to Columbus State University this past Saturday. She was 0-for-2. 6th-ranked UNG (47-10) lost the best-of-three Peach Belt Conference championship series to the Cougars. The Nighthawks await their NCAA D2 Regional assignment. The regionals begin on Friday. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … started all four of the Eagles’ Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament games last week in Kingsport, Tennessee. Reinhardt defeated Bryan, Brenau, and Tennessee Wesleyan twice to win the tournament title. Lee was 4-for-12 at the plate including a walk, six runs scored, and three RBIs. She also stole a base. Reinhardt (42-8) will be assigned to an NAIA Opening Round double-elimination tournament on Tuesday. The national tournament begins May 13-16. AVA PERKINS — Lee University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … appeared as a pinch hitter last Wednesday in a 6-5 Gulf South Conference tournament loss to Mississippi College in Oxford, Alabama. The Flames were eliminated in two straight games and finished the season 20-27. Perkins hit .304 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 46 official at-bats and 60 plate appearances this season. She also pitched 2-⅔ innings with a 13.12 ERA. BASEBALL HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … hit a solo homer and was 2-for-5 in an 8-6 home loss to Gordon State College last Thursday. The Stallions (18-29) begin the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament on Monday against East Georgia State. The tournament continues through Thursday at Georgia Highlands College. MICAH EARWOOD — Georgia State University (So., Cartersville HS) … gave up four earned runs on three hits, one walk, and one hit batsman and was charged with the pitching loss last Tuesday at home against Jacksonville State. He recorded two outs including one strikeout. The Panthers (23-26) have a three-game Sun Belt Conference series at Coastal Carolina on Friday through Sunday. COLIN EATON — Gordon State College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a ninth-inning relief appearance last Thursday at ABAC, retired just one batter, and picked up the pitching victory in an 8-6, 10-inning win. The Highlanders (31-20, 17-8) will be the No. 2 seed this week at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament in Cartersville at Georgia Highlands. Gordon plays the South Georgia State/Andrew College winner on Tuesday. The tournament continues through Thursday. KENNY JINKS — Wheeling University (R-Sr., Woodland HS) … made a four-inning pitching start with no decision last Friday in an eventual 15-1 home win over West Liberty University. The lefty allowed one earned run on three hits and struck out 10 of 15 batters faced. The Cardinals (25-24, 13-15 Mountain East Conference) play the University of Charleston on Wednesday in the first round of the MEC Tournament at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston, West Virginia. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10 including one double, one walk, and one run scored last week in losses to East Georgia and Gordon State. The Stallions (18-29) begin the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament on Monday against East Georgia State. The tournament continues through Thursday at Georgia Highlands College. TREY SCOTT — Alabama A&M University (Jr., Cass HS) … retired the six outs of the fourth and fifth innings last Thursday in a 35-1 loss at Austin Peay. Scott was responsible for seven earned runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out three. The Bulldogs (12-32, 8-14 SWAC)  visit Mississippi Valley State for conference games Friday through Sunday. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Jr., Woodland HS) … made a 2-⅓ inning pitching start and was tagged with the loss last Thursday at Berea College (Ky.). He allowed five earned runs on five hits, four walks, and one hit batsman while striking out one in an eventual 17-8 loss. The Scots (16-24, 7-11 Collegiate Conference of the South) will play in the CCS Tournament that runs Wednesday through Saturday at Maryville College (Tenn.). STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Grad student, Cass HS) … went 6-for-18 in five games last week. The Mountain Lions lost three times to Belmont Abbey, beat Barton College, and lost to Erskine College. They went 1-2 and were eliminated at the Conference Carolinas Tournament. Spell’s offensive week included one walk, one double, and two runs scored. He has a .321 batting average this season in 52 starts and 190 official at-bats. Spell has 18 extra-base hits, three homers, and 39 RBIs. YHC (39-13, 22-8) awaits its post-season fate and the NCAA D2 Baseball selection announcement on May 12. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-11 last week in two home games and one tournament game against Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.). The 6-5 loss on Wednesday ended the Phoenix season. Welchel had one walk and one RBI in the three games. He had a .301 batting average this season in 46 games (38 starts) and 147 official at-bats. He hit 15 homers and had 47 RBIs slugging .621 and a .438 on-base percentage. CU finished the season with a 22-28 record. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made home starts last Wednesday against Carolina University (NC) in a regular season game and Sunday against College of the Ozarks (AR) in the conference tournament. He was 3-for-7 with one walk and one RBI. The Grizzlies (46-6) are hosting the Continental Athletic Conference tournament that continues through Tuesday. JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made a conference playoff start last Friday at Georgia College as the Jaguars lost 8-0 to the Bobcats. Wilkie was 0-for-2. Augusta finished the season with a 24-27 record. He played in 30 games and made 22 starts this season. He had a .187 batting average in 75 official at-bats and 87 plate appearances. He hit one home run and had eight RBIs. He hit .317 in 2022 with one homer and 23 RBIs. He also batted .292 in 2023 with three homers and 15 RBIs. TRACK AND FIELD DANIELLE THAYER — Augusta University (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished ninth in the 3000-meter steeplechase (12:38.61) at the Peach Belt Conference Outdoor Championships April 29-30 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Lady Jaguars finished fifth. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … the Bulldogs will be the No. 4 seed for the NCAA Austin Regional on May 13-15 at the University of Texas Golf Club. Joining UGA will be Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, UNC-Greensboro, BYU, Utah, San Jose State, Grand Canyon, Arkansas State, and Kansas City. The top five teams from each of six regionals will advance to the 30-team NCAA Championship at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California from May 24-29. The lowest-scoring individual not on a qualifying team also advances. Brumlow has played in all nine events for Georgia this season with a 71.37 scoring average across 27 rounds. His score has counted in 23 of his 27 rounds. JAKE LAWSON — Grand Canyon University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … Lawson was not one of the active participants but is a member of the Antelopes’ golf team that has qualified for the NCAA Austin Regional. GCU won a second consecutive Western Athletic Conference title on April 26-28 in Payson, Arizona.

May 5, 2024 Early morning showers delayed the starting time of Saturday’s GHSA Class 5A state quarterfinal doubleheader between Cartersville and Locust Grove at Richard Bell Field by more than three hours. Then a 45-minute lightning delay pushed the second game into early Sunday morning but the Purple Hurricanes pulled out two wins to take the best-of-three series. Cartersville managed only one hit in the opener but took advantage of nine walks to beat the Wildcats 9-2. In Game 2, timely hitting lifted the Canes into the Final Four for the 13th time since 1999 with a 3-2 victory. The Canes have consecutive sweeps over Chattahoochee, Jefferson, and the Wildcats through the first three rounds of the playoffs. GAME ONE:  CARTERSVILLE 9, LOCUST GROVE 2 Cartersville pitchers Ryan Johnson and Logan Shrewsbury combined on a one-hitter in the series opener limiting the Locust Grove Wildcats’ bats for a 9-2 win. Johnson, a University of Georgia signee, struck out eleven. He gave up two runs (only one earned) on one hit and one walk. Shrewsbury closed out a scoreless seventh inning. He walked one and struck out one. The Canes produced their nine runs on only one hit in the victory. They took advantage of nine walks. Cartersville took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on two walks, two balks, and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Purdy. In the bottom of the third, the Hurricanes added three more runs to their lead on three walks, a hit batsman, and two wild pitches. Locust Grove narrowed the margin to 5-1 in the top of the sixth. Third baseman Bowen Bradbury doubled and later scored on an outfield error. The Canes responded with four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 9-1. They took advantage of four walks and their only base hit by Cole Crawford. The Wildcats added a single run in the top of the seventh but Shrewsbury’s strikeout ended the game. GAME TWO: CARTERSVILLE 3, LOCUST GROVE 2 Georgia signee Caleb Daniel produced the Canes’ clutch hit in the top of the seventh to drive home the game-winning run in a 3-2 win that stretched into Sunday morning. With the game tied 2-2, Aidan Larkin doubled with two outs and scored on the Daniel hit into right field. The Canes then turned the mound over to Alabama signee Andrew Purdy who worked a 1-2-3 seventh for his ninth save of the season. Batting first and playing as the visitors, Cartersville led 2-0 through 2-½ innings. Daniel singled and scored in the first and Purdy had a run-producing single in the top of the third. Locust Groves’ Logan Burrell doubled home a run for the Wildcats in the bottom of the third to cut the Canes’ lead in half. In the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats utilized a leadoff walk, a stolen base, and a run-producing single by Liam Collier to knot the score at 2-2. Sawyer Wilson made the pitching start for Cartersville. He allowed one, unearned run on four hits while striking out nine. Nate Russell (1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 1BB, 2K) picked up the win as the pitcher of record after working the sixth inning on the mound. Daniel and Purdy had two hits and one RBI each for the Purple Hurricanes. Cole Crawford (double), Larkin (double), and Thomas Peters added one hit. Locust Grove has its season end with a 22-14 record. Cartersville (29-5) advances to the Class 5A state semifinals but will be on the road for the first time in the 2024 playoffs. The Canes will play the winner of the best-of-three series between Greater Atlanta Christian (30-4) and Ware County (24-11). The Spartans and Gators split their doubleheader on Saturday and will play a winner-take-all third game on Monday in Waycross. GAC won the first game Saturday 5-1 with Ware County winning the second game 3-0. The state semifinal best-of-three series will be on Friday (doubleheader) and Saturday (if needed).

May 3, 2024 The Cass boys’ soccer team's state playoff run ended Friday night at Cochran Stadium with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Decatur Bulldogs. Decatur scored early in the first half on a penalty kick and carried that lead deep into the second half. Cass’ Camden Hillhouse scored an equalizer in the 65th minute unassisted and the contest went to overtime knotted 1-1. The Bulldogs (15-5-3) got their go-ahead goal in the first overtime and the Colonels could not match the goal. Decatur advances to the GHSA Class 5A championship match on Tuesday night at Duluth High School to face the McIntosh / Midtown winner. Cass has its season end with a 15-4-1 mark.

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided the opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville. The Adairsville High Elite Athlete of the Month for April 2024 is Claire Brown. A junior golfer and the top player on the Lady Tigers’ team, she has qualified as an individual for the GHSA Class 3A state golf championship tournament. The daughter of Derron and Megan Brown, she is a 4.0 GAP Magnet Program student, a member of the BETA Club, and is active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “Claire played really well at our Area Tournament, which serves as the state qualifier. She was able to shoot the lowest score of anyone whose team did not make it to the state championship tournament. That earned her a spot as an individual. She works extremely hard and competes each time she is on the course,” remarked coach Troy Hester. Brown’s goal is to play golf in college. Caleb Daniel is the April 2024 Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School. A senior outfielder on the top-ranked Canes’ baseball team, Daniel is a three-year starter and a multiple-time All-State and All-Region selection. “Caleb is an outstanding young man who works hard and represents himself and his family very well both on and off the field,” said Cartersville baseball coach Kyle Tucker. He is the son of Wynell and Richard Daniel and will continue his academic and athletic career with the University of Georgia baseball team. The April 2024 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Woodland High School is Andy Forsyth. A senior member and captain of the Wildcats’ cross country team and a member of the track and field team, he is the son of Allan and Marianne Forsyth. He is the Region 7-5A champion and state qualifier in the 800 meters and is a member of the region champion 4x800 meter relay team. Woodland coach Rob Forbes shared his pleasure in working with Forsyth. “Andy has stepped into a leadership role the past two years. His work ethic and dedication to reaching his goals as a runner inspire those around him to do their best. He has been a pleasure to coach and I look forward to what he can accomplish in his collegiate endeavors.” Forsyth is a Woodland Scholar-Athlete and plans to run cross country and track at Berry College. Ryan Camden “Cam” Hillhouse is the April 2024 Elite Athlete of the Month from Cass High School. A senior and three-year starter for the Colonels soccer team, Hillhouse has proven to be a leader on and off the field serving as one of the team’s captains. Hillhouse is one of the team’s top goal scorers again this season and a leader in assists. He was a Region 7-5A All-Region selection in his junior season. In addition to excelling on the pitch for the Colonels and the Cherokee Impact UPSL team, Hillhouse also excels in the classroom as an Advanced Placement Magnet Scholar. He has a 4.0 grade point average. “Cam is a true example of hard work and dedication that all his teammates and peers can look up to,” noted Cass head coach Justin Fitzgerald. He is the son of Ryan and Candace Hillhouse and plans to study Business at Shorter University. Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool

May 2, 2024 A fast start offensively and a five-run sixth inning lifted Georgia Highlands baseball Thursday afternoon in a 10-5 win over Andrew College to close out the Chargers’ regular season slate. Georgia Highlands heads into the conference tournament on a 10-game winning streak and has won 15 of 16. GHC led the Tigers 3-2 through two innings on Thursday and added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to go up 5-2. The Chargers built a 10-2 lead in the sixth inning to take command. The big inning included a hit batsman, three consecutive singles, and a bases-clearing double by third baseman Grayson Godbee. Thomas Murcia hit a three-run homer for the Tigers in the top of the ninth and Andrew had two more baserunners in the late rally, but go no closer. Michael Sharman made the pitching start for Georgia Highlands and picked up his ninth win of the season. He gave up two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four in three innings. Seven other Chargers’ pitchers were utilized in short stints out of the bullpen including Brodie Chestnutt (1 IP, 0R, 2H), Garrett Goblish (1 IP, 0R, 1H), Jake Willis (0.2 IP, 0R, 1H), Trace Horne (0.1 IP), Oliver Wood (1 IP, 2K), Andrew Arnold (1 IP, 3K), and Reece Robertson (1 IP, 3ER, 4H, 3K). Seven Chargers contributed at least one hit in the win. Catcher Will Cawthon led the way with a 3-for-4 performance that included a double and three RBIs. Clay Wiesen (double, RBI) and Ryan Martin finished with two hits. Gray Wilson hit a solo home run in the fifth inning. Godbee (double, three RBIs), Barrett Eldridge (RBI), Ryan Wideman, and Luke Orfi (double, RBI) added one hit. Andrew finishes the regular season with a 21-32 record overall and 7-18 in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference games. The Tigers will be the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament and will open the double-elimination event on Monday at 3 p.m. against No. 3 seed South Georgia State. Third-ranked Georgia Highlands (48-7, 20-5) will host the GCAA Tournament on Monday through Thursday at the Cartersville campus stadium. The No. 1 seeded Chargers will receive a first round bye and begin tournament play on Tuesday at noon against the East Georgia State / ABAC winner from Monday.

May 1, 2024 The Georgia Highlands baseball team trailed 1-0 through two innings at South Georgia State College on Tuesday but powered past the Hawks for a 6-1 conference road win. The Chargers posted two runs in the third, one in the fifth, two in the seventh, and one more in the ninth inning for good measure. GHC pitcher Chandler Anderson improved to 8-0 on the season with a four-inning start backed up by five other hurlers out of the bullpen. Anderson allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks. He struck out three. Logan Spivey (2K), Hunter Ward (2K), Max Eichenberger, Oliver Wood (1K), and Reece Robertson worked one scoreless inning each for the Chargers. Ryan Wideman had four hits including two doubles, a triple, and one RBI to lead the offense. Barrett Eldridge doubled, homered, and had three RBIs. Clay Wiesen (RBI) and Ali Banks added one hit. South Georgia (28-26, 11-13) is currently in third place behind the Chargers and Gordon State in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings with one game remaining. Georgia Highlands (47-7, 19-5) wraps up regular season play at home on Thursday against Andrew College at 4 p.m. The Chargers will host the GCAA double-elimination tournament next Monday through Thursday on the Cartersville campus.