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April 12, 2025 Alfredo Romo Cass and Woodland split a region doubleheader on Saturday, with the Colonels winning 11-7 before the Wildcats salvaged the final game of the three-game series with a 15-2 victory. The Colonels won the series opener earlier in the week. Unfortunately, the two local teams face long odds to qualify for the Class 4A state playoffs with only three games remaining in the regular season. Allatoona and Cartersville sit atop the Region 7-AAAA standings at 17-1 and 14-2, respectively. Dalton is third at 13-5 in region games, with Cedartown fourth with an 8-10 region mark. Woodland (8-10 in Region 7-AAAA) and Cass (7-11) seem to be in a position to potentially overtake fourth-place Cedartown for the final playoff spot. However, the Bulldogs' last three-game region series is against Southeast Whitfield, a team with just one region win this season. Hunter Lovett In their 11-7 victory on Saturday, Cass scored six runs in the top of the third to lead 6-0. Woodland responded with four runs in the fourth to narrow the margin to 6-4. The Colonels added two runs in the fifth and three in the seventh to secure the win. Woodland posted single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh. In Woodland’s 15-2 win, the Wildcats led 10-0 after only two innings, and Cass committed nine errors. Hunter Lovett collected the pitching win for Cass in Game 1. He yielded four unearned runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a four-inning start. Nic Wright (2 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) and Chase Tatum (1 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) covered the final three frames on the mound for the Colonels. Lucas Baker was the starter and winning pitcher in Game 2 for the Wildcats. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Tatum led the Cass bats with four hits, including two doubles and five RBI in the two games. Zach Stiles (two RBI) and Lovett (RBI) also had four hits. Jacob Johnson (RBI) and Trenton Elario contributed three hits for the Colonels in the doubleheader. Landon Lamb finished the day with two hits. Wright and Dawson Warner added one hit and one RBI. Six Wildcats had two-hit days, including Preston Sorrells (triple, sac fly, two RBI), Sammy Ray (three RBI), Ben Turcotte (two RBI), Zaylen Cochran (RBI), Alfredo Romo (RBI), and Conner Lujan. Baker, Jake Clowers (double), and Grant Tidwell added one hit and one RBI. Tommy Risner contributed one RBI. Cass (12-14, 7-11) begins a three-game series with Hiram at the Hornets home field on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The Colonels will host a doubleheader on Friday to wrap up regular season action. Woodland (14-12, 8-10) hosts region-leading and sixth-ranked Allatoona on Tuesday and will close out the regular season in Acworth on Friday with a doubleheader.

April 12, 2025 Tyler Phillips had three hits on Saturday, including one homer, one double, and three RBI. The Georgia Highlands College Chargers dropped both games of a home doubleheader on Saturday, falling 9-4 and 9-8 to the Gordon State College Highlanders.  The visitors' doubleheader sweep earned a series split with Georgia Highlands, who won 21-4 and 5-4 this past Tuesday and Thursday. The Chargers used eight pitchers in the two losses and were outhit 27 to 17 in the two games. Tyler Phillips (home run, double, three RBI) and Caden Marcos (triple) had three hits to pace the Georgia Highlands offense on Saturday. Kenskey Thomas (three RBI), Ian Fullerton (RBI), Ryan Martin, and Grason Godbee contributed two hits. Heath Whitlock (double, two RBI), Andrew Bishop (two RBI), and Joe Johnson added one hit. The Highlanders improved to 20-19 overall and 8-9 in conference play. Georgia Highlands (34-7, 13-4) visits East Georgia State on Tuesday and will host the Bobcats for a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.

April 12, 2025 Hayden Joyner scattered six hits and three walks while striking out four in the Chargers' 4-3 win over Gordon State on Saturday. Georgia Highlands College softball split a home doubleheader on Saturday with Gordon State, winning 4-3 in the opener before dropping the second game 5-4. The visiting Highlanders opened Game 1 with three runs in the first inning, but GHC pitcher Hayden Joyner settled in and shut out Gordon College the rest of the way. The Chargers scored a single run in the second inning and pushed ahead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Joyner tossed a seven-inning complete game to collect the pitching victory. She scattered six hits and three walks while striking out four. In Game 2, the Highlanders scored two runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed. The Chargers cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first, but Gordon added two runs in the fourth to lead 4-1. GHC narrowed the margin to 4-2 in the sixth before Gordon secured the win with an insurance run in the seventh. Georgia Highlands scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh and had the potential tying run on base, but the game ended on an infield groundout. Three GHC pitchers toiled in the second game. Athens Hudson (3.2 IP, 4ER, 8H, 1BB, 1K) started in the circle and was tagged with the pitching loss. Grace Kendrick (2.1 IP, 0R, 2H, 1K) and Hannah Mounce (1 IP, 1ER, 2H) also pitched. Maci Andrews had three hits — two doubles and one triple — with one RBI to lead the Chargers offense in the two games. Ahmani Green and Emma Darrow finished the day with two hits and two RBI. Abbi Hall (double), Mary Catherine Kimball (two doubles, two RBI), and Emmalee Freeman contributed two hits. Haylee Dishmon added one hit. With Saturday’s split, the Highlanders are 17-21 overall and 10-2 in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play. Gordon College trails first-place Georgia Military in the conference standings by two games. Georgia Highlands (28-12, 9-3) is one game behind Gordon in the league standings. The Chargers have a conference doubleheader at Georgia Military College on Thursday.

April 11, 2025 Coach Billy Roper and the Tigers have won eight of nine to climb in the Region 7-AAA standings. Braxton Ryan went 4-for-4 at the plate, and pitcher Kaiden Coker tossed six shutout innings as the Adairsville Tigers won the first game of a doubleheader at LaFayette on Friday 8-2. The doubleheader was slated for the Ramblers’ home field after a Thursday rainout and wet field conditions at Adairsville on Friday. The Tigers scored two runs in the second inning to grab an early lead in the opening game. Adairsville added one run in the third, two more in the fourth, and three insurance runs in the fifth. The Ramblers avoided a shutout by salvaging two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Coker scattered three hits and issued no walks in six innings. He struck out two. Westin Barfield allowed two runs in the seventh on four hits. He recorded one strikeout. Ryan’s four hits included one double and three RBI. Ethan Long (double, RBI) and Jarrett Scott contributed two hits. Brody Varner (two RBI), Harrison Cole (triple), and Isaac Burnett added one hit. In the second game, Hudson Parr tossed a six-inning gem, and Scott retired all three batters faced in the seventh inning to blank the Ramblers 5-0. Adairsville scored five times in the fourth inning to take control. After Varner singled to open the fourth, Burnett bunted him to scoring position, and Barfield produced an RBI single. Four additional hits and a walk produced four more runs for the Tigers. Jack Nelson (RBI), Barfield (RBI), and Scott (double, RBI) led the Adairsville offense with two hits. Peyton Bowen (RBI), Long, and Varner added one hit. The losses dropped the Ramblers to 12-14 overall and 7-11 in Region 7-AAA. Adairsville (15-7, 10-5), currently third in the region standings, has three region games remaining. The Tigers host first-place Northwest Whitfield on Tuesday, visit the Bruins on Thursday, and host the final regular season game on Friday. Each game in the series is slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.

April 10, 2025 Georgia Highlands trailed 4-1 heading to the eighth inning Thursday in Barnesville but rallied over the final two innings to win 5-4.  Five singles in the top of the eighth produced three GHC runs, and Ryan Martin’s sacrifice fly in the ninth drove home Wyatt Gatlin for the Chargers’ game-winning run. Andrew Arnold (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H) picked up the pitching victory in relief. Hunter Ward (1 IP, 0R, 2K) earned a save with a scoreless ninth. Max Eichenberger (6.2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 2BB, 8K) made the GHC pitching start. Brodie Chestnutt (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 1K) also pitched in relief. Ian Fullerton led the Chargers’ offense with three hits. Kenskey Thomas and Andrew Bishop (RBI) finished with two hits. Grayson Godbee (two RBI), Ryan Martin (sac fly RBI), Heath Whitlock, Gatlin, and Caden Marcos added one hit. Tyler Phillips drove in one run with a sacrifice fly. The loss dropped Gordon College to 20-19 overall and 8-9 in conference action. Georgia Highlands (34-7, 13-4 GCAA) continues the series with Gordon College with a doubleheader on Saturday at Bentley Field in Cartersville.

April 10, 2025 The Chargers won both games of a doubleheader at Andrew College Wednesday to complete a four-game season sweep of the Tigers. Georgia Highlands won 18-0 and 15-0 in Cuthbert. Maci Andrews and Grace Kendrick completed the pitching duties. Both wins were in five innings. Andrews tossed a one-hitter with two walks and four strikeouts in the opener. Kendrick scattered four hits and one walk with one strikeout in the second game. Emmalee Freeman and Ally Graden led the Chargers’ offense with six hits. Freeman had a home run, four doubles, and six RBI. Graden had three doubles and four RBI. Ahmani Green (home run, three RBI), Emma Darrow (triple, RBI), Abbi Hall (RBI), and Mary Catherine Kimball contributed three hits in the doubleheader. Hailey Love (two doubles, four RBI), Haylee Dishmon (three RBI), and Cayden Warren (RBI) had two hits. Faith Gauthier (RBI), Abbey Yates, Raeghan Thompson, and Andrews (sac fly, triple, three RBI) added one hit. Georgia Highlands (28-12, 9-3 GCAA) hosts a doubleheader with Gordon State on Saturday at 1 p.m.

April 7, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made a five-inning start at home last Friday but received no decision in a 6-4 win over the Sacramento River Cats. He gave up three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six. The Aviators were 4-2 in the series with Sacramento and completed the week at 6-3 with a one-game lead over Reno in the Pacific Coast League West. Las Vegas begins a six-game series at the El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday through Sunday. LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; age 23; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … has been newly assigned to the River Bandits for 2025 after spending last season in lower Class A with the Columbia Fireflies.  He did not see action over the weekend, but Quad Cities won all three games over the Peoria Chiefs. The Bandits host a six-game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this week, from Tuesday through Sunday. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … played in four games at the Gwinnett Stripers last week and was 2-for-10 at the plate with six walks, one RBI, and one run scored. He also stole one base. The Sounds were 2-3 at Gwinnett with Sunday’s game postponed to be made up on May 1. Nashville has started the season 3-5 and hosts a six-game series with the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday through Sunday. PRO BASKETBALL CHINA CBA ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (6th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … in the final game of the regular season Hagans scored eight points with 12 assists, four steals, and one rebound as Xinjiang beat Beijing 85-81 to finish sixth in the standings with a 31-14 mark. The Tigers won their first round series of the playoffs last Friday and Monday with two straight wins over Nanjing. Hagans scored four points with eight assists, three steals, and four rebounds in the Friday win. The Flying Tigers will face Guangsh in the playoff quarterfinals.. BEACH VOLLEYBALL LAUREN LAWSON — University of South Carolina (Fr., Cartersville HS) … lost 12-21, 14-21 with partner Reagan Elizondo in Match #5 during a 3-2 loss at 13th-ranked Grand Canyon on March 28. USC match results in losses to 19th-ranked Washington and 12th-ranked Arizona State, while at Grand Canyon University were not available. In action this past Friday at the Unconquered Invitational at Florida State University, Lawson paired with Kennedy Westendorff for a 21-12, 19-21, 15-13 win over their Florida Atlantic University opponents, but the Gamecocks suffered 3-2 team losses to 8th-ranked Texas and the 15th-ranked Owls. Last Saturday in Tallahassee, the Lawson/Westendorff duo lost 19-21, 17-21 in a 5-0 loss to No. 10 LSU and 14-21, 11-21 in a 5-0 team loss to 5th-ranked Florida State. South Carolina (8-13) travels to Baton Rouge for the Battle on the Bayou on Friday and Saturday. The Gamecocks will face Tulane, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and Houston Christian. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 5 singles match 6-2, 7-6 and teamed with Linn Goerdes to win 6-1 at Line 2 doubles as the 9th-ranked Nighthawks won at Lander University (SC) last Friday. UNG (11-6, 2-1 Peach Belt Conference) will play No. 16 University of West Alabama on Tuesday in Rome, host 14th-ranked Columbus State University on Friday, and travel to 32nd-ranked Georgia College on Saturday. SYDNEY COPPOLA — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … won a Line 5 singles match 6-2, 6-2 as the Lady Vikings defeated Snead State CC on March 29. Berry (12-5, 3-1 Southern Athletic Association) won at Hendrix College (AR) this past Sunday. The Vikings suffered losses to Rhodes College (TN) and Belmont Abbey College (NC) last Saturday. Berry will square off with Case Western Reserve University (OH) on Friday in Atlanta before traveling to Sewanee-University of the South (TN) on Saturday and Centre College (KY) on Sunday. EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … coming off a recent injury, Surcey returned to the Bulldogs’ lineup this past Saturday in a 5-2 home team loss to Furman University. She partnered with Sara Erenda to win 6-3 at Line 1 doubles but dropped her Line 1 singles match 3-6, 3-6. In Sunday’s 4-3 team loss at home to Samford, Erenda and Surcey won 6-3 at Line 1 doubles, but she lost her Line 1 singles match 6-1, 1-6, 4-6. Samford (9-11, 1-4 Southern Conference) plays at Mercer University on Thursday and Tennessee-Chattanooga on Saturday. TRACK AND FIELD HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … finished fourteenth (42-11.75) in the shot put, 23rd (107-08) in the hammer throw, and eleventh (124-0) in the javelin throw at the University of West Georgia Legends Invitational on April 4-5. The Vikings will host the Berry Field Day Invitational on Thursday through Saturday. JUNE DELAUDER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … ran ninth (17.18) in the 100-meter hurdles and tenth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:19.77) last Saturday at the Emory University Dooley Elite in Atlanta. Reinhardt will compete at the Lee University Fast Break Athletics Invitational on Friday and Saturday. TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (Fr., Woodland HS) … placed seventh (17:19.30) in the 5000-meter run as the Wolves hosted the 15-team UWG Legends Invitational this past weekend. West Georgia will compete Saturday at the Alice Coachman Invitational hosted by Albany State University. KENDRICK PRICE — Troy University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … placed fourteenth (10.768) in the 100-meter dash and seventeenth (22.62) in the 200-meter dash as the Trojans hosted the 17-team Doc Anderson Invitational and Multi on April 4-5. Troy will compete in the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Classic on Friday and Saturday. DANIELLE THAYER — Augusta University (So, Woodland HS) … ran to a fourth-place finish (12:28.78) in the 3000-meter steeplechase last weekend at the 20-team Anderson University Electric City Invitational. The Jaguars travel to Azusa, California, on April 16-19 for the Brian Clay Invitational at Azusa Pacific University. GOLF BRODY TIDWELL — Georgia State University (So, Cartersville HS) … led the Panthers to a fourth-place team finish at the 17-team Golfweek AGT Invitational in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, March 31-April 2, with an eleventh-place individual finish. Tidwell finished the three-day tournament at True Blue Plantation with a 5-under-par 211 total (73-68-70). St. John’s won the event at 23-under, followed by UConn (18-under), Jacksonville State (15-under), and Georgia State (14-under). The Panthers will play in The Invitational at the Ford hosted by Georgia Southern in Richmond Hill on Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-3 at the plate as the Hawks split a doubleheader at Southern Wesleyan on April 1. She also stole one base and scored two runs. Shorter (10-25, 7-11 Conference Carolinas) hosts Georgia College for two games on Tuesday and plays a conference doubleheader at Emmanuel University (GA) on Friday. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So, Cass HS) … did not have an official at-bat, but scored one run in the Chargers' 18-3 home victory over Andrew College last Saturday. GHC (26-12, 7-3 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) visits Andrew College for a doubleheader on Tuesday and hosts Gordon State College for two games on Saturday. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … collected two pitching wins this past weekend at Monmouth University. She worked nine scoreless innings in the circle on two hits and six walks. She struck out eleven in the two appearances. Gregory’s season pitching record improved to 7-3, and her ERA dropped to 1.92. As a result, she was named the CAA Pitcher of the Week. The Fighting Camels (26-11, 12-3 Coastal Athletic Association) host Coastal Carolina on Tuesday and entertain Hampton University for three games on Friday through Sunday. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (So, Adairsville HS) … entered defensively and was 0-for-1 in a 7-5 loss on April 2 at 19th-ranked Berry College. The Lions split a doubleheader with the Vikings and two games with 12th-ranked Belhaven University (MS) last Friday. Piedmont (21-11, 9-1 Collegiate Conference of the South) plays a doubleheader at Huntingdon College on Saturday and two games at LaGrange College on Sunday. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … went hitless in four of five games last week, including two home wins over Columbus State University and one in three games at 5th-ranked Auburn University Montgomery. Lee finished the week 2-for-15, including one walk, two runs scored, and one RBI on a sacrifice fly. The Blazers (23-15, 16-7 Gulf South Conference) host Embry-Riddle University (FL) on Tuesday and entertain Lee University for three games on Friday and Saturday. AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … in a home doubleheader split with the University of West Florida, Perkins was 2-for-6 with one home run and two RBI. The Flames (20-19, 7-16 Gulf South Conference) will play the University of North Georgia in a doubleheader on Tuesday in Chattanooga. They will visit Valdosta State University for three games on Friday and Saturday. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … went 3-for-10 at the plate as the Tigers won two of three at Western Illinois on Sunday and Monday. Woods added one walk, one hit by pitch, one stolen base, three runs scored, and four RBI. Tennessee State (20-10, 10-4 Ohio Valley Conference) has a three-game series at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Saturday and Sunday. BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … earned his ninth save last Saturday by closing the final three innings of a 5-2 home win over Paine College (GA). He faced eleven batters and allowed no runs on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts. The Eagles (18-13, 9-3 NCCAA) have a three-game home series with Atlantis University (FL) on Friday and Saturday. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 6-for-13 at the plate, but the Panthers dropped two of three games last Friday and Saturday to visiting Belhaven University (MS). Bonner was hit by a pitch, scored two runs, and had one RBI in the series. LaGrange (14-15, 6-3 Collegiate Conference of the South) visits Oglethorpe University on Tuesday and Piedmont University on Friday through Sunday for a three-game conference series. HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-4 in a two-game series split at Tennessee Southern last Friday and Saturday. Childers walked twice, scored one run, and had one RBI with a sacrifice fly. ABAC (23-13, 13-11 Southern States Athletic Conference) plays at Thomas University on Tuesday and has a three-game conference series at Point University on Friday and Saturday. CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … in four wins last week — one at home over Mercer and three at Stanford — Daniel was 9-for-17 at the plate, including one home run, one triple, two doubles, two walks, nine runs scored, and seven RBI. He has raised his season batting average to .357 and has maintained a perfect fielding percentage in 41 total chances. The 15th-ranked Yellow Jackets (26-6, 11-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) host 9th-ranked Auburn on Tuesday and three conference games with the University of California on Friday through Sunday. MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … retired two batters in the sixth inning of an eventual 14-8 home win over Florida Memorial University last Saturday. Earwood allowed two earned runs on one hit, one hit batsman, and two walks in a no-decision appearance. The 6th-ranked Fire (32-6, 11-5 The Sun Conference) play doubleheaders Friday and Saturday at Ave Maria University. ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-11, including one walk and one double in four starts last week. The Scots lost at Sewanee-University of the South (TN) and dropped three home games to Piedmont University. Covenant (12-16, 2-10 Collegiate Conference of the South) plays at Berry College on Tuesday and travels to Maryville College (TN) for three games on Friday and Saturday. RYAN FARR — Kentucky Christian University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … retired the final two outs of the fifth inning in a 16-1 home loss to Union Commonwealth University last Saturday. Farr gave up four runs (only one earned) on two hits and one walk. The Crusaders (12-23, 2-16 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Bluefield University (VA) for three games on Friday and Saturday. GEOFFREY GORE — Bevill State CC (So, Cartersville HS) … made two pitching appearances, totaling 3-⅔ innings, last Thursday and Saturday in wins over Enterprise State CC. He earned a save on Thursday by blanking Enterprise for the final 2-⅔ innings. He scattered one hit and one walk while striking out two. Gore walked one and struck out one while closing out the seventh inning on Saturday. The Bears (23-18, 19-9) host Motlow State CC on Tuesday and have a four-game, home-and-home series with Central Alabama CC on Thursday and Saturday. DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … went 7-for-14 at the plate last week as the Moose went 3-1 against Quincy College, New Hampshire Tech, and Great Bay CC. Jinks’ week included one double, one triple, two walks, five runs scored, and five stolen bases. Maine-Augusta (5-10, 2-0 Yankee Small College Conference) visits York County CC on Tuesday and Central Maine CC on Wednesday. The Moose will also play a home doubleheader with York County CC on Saturday and two home games with Central Maine CC on Sunday. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a 2-⅔ inning pitching start with no decision last Friday against visiting University of West Florida. The Flames won the game 3-2. McKibben allowed two earned runs on one hit, one hit by pitch, and three walks. Lee (22-15, 14-10 Gulf South Conference) won two of three games against the Argonauts. The Flames host Tusculum University on Tuesday and play three at Valdosta State University on Friday and Saturday. SAM MELTON — Guilford College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 0-for-2 with two walks and scored two runs in a home win April 1 over Methodist University (NC). The Quakers (16-10, 4-9 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) host Ferrum College on Tuesday, visit Greensboro College on Wednesday, and host a doubleheader with Bridgewater College on Saturday. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … hit safely in each game and was 4-for-13 at the plate in four wins last week. The Cougars won at Albany State University on April 2 and swept Augusta University in a weekend three-game series. Miller had one double, four walks, six runs scored, and drove in one run. CSU (20-15, 10-8 Peach Belt Conference) plays at the University of West Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting a three-game series with Georgia Southwestern State University on Friday through Sunday. AYDEN RAY — USC-Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … was 0-for-1 in a pinch-hitting role during an 8-7 loss at Florence-Darlington CC this past Sunday. The Lancers (17-21, 10-11 NJCAA Region 10) play at the Francis Marion University JV on Wednesday and have three games at USC Salkehatchie on Saturday and Sunday. HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-5, including a solo home run, two RBI, and was twice hit by a pitch in a three-game series this past weekend at the University of North Florida. The Wolves (15-14, 6-6 Atlantic Sun Conference) visit Samford University on Tuesday night and host Jacksonville University for a three-game conference series on Friday through Sunday. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a five-inning pitching start and was charged with the loss as the Scots dropped an 11-1 decision last Friday to visiting Piedmont University. Smith allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits, two walks, and two hit batters. He struck out four. Covenant (12-16, 2-10 Collegiate Conference of the South) visits Berry College on Tuesday night and plays three games at Maryville College (TN) on Friday and Saturday. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-9 with one double, one run scored, and two RBI as the Phoenix lost at Johnson University (TN) and dropped a home game with Campbellsville University (KY). Cumberland (27-10-1, 7-3 Mid-South Conference) continues their conference series with Campbellsville on Tuesday with a doubleheader before traveling to 5th-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan University for three games on Friday and Saturday. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made scoreless pitching appearances in two Cougars' wins last week. He was credited with his second pitching win by covering 2-⅓ innings during a 7-5 victory at Albany State University on April 2. He also worked two innings in a home win over Augusta. In his 4-⅓ innings last week, he scattered four hits and struck out one. The Cougars (20-15, 10-8 Peach Belt Conference) ride an eight-game win streak into a two-game road series at the University of West Florida and will host three games with Georgia Southwestern State University on Friday through Sunday.

April 8, 2025 Cass, Cartersville, and Adairsville earned region baseball wins on Tuesday. CASS 11, WOODLAND 7 Chase Tatum had two doubles and four RBI in the Colonels' come-from-behind win over Woodland on Tuesday. Woodland built a 5-0 lead early on Tuesday night at Cass, but two big innings by the Colonels resulted in an 11-7 Region 7-AAAA victory for Cass.  The Wildcats scored two runs in the first and three in the second for their early advantage. Cass responded with a six-run bottom of the second and led 7-5 at the end of the third. Woodland tied the game at 7-7 with two runs in the fourth, and the deadlock remained until Cass posted four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hunter Lovett (1.1 IP, 5ER, 4H, 3BB, 2K) made a pitching start for the Colonels. Dustin Wallin (5.2 IP, 2R, 0ER, 4H, 4BB, 4K) collected the win with a solid relief performance.  The Wildcats utilized four pitchers, including Kallen Reynolds (1.2 IP, 6ER, 3H, 3BB), Christian Duran (0.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 1K), Zaylen Cochran (2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 0H, 2BB), and Grant Tidwell (2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 5H, 1BB, 3K). Chase Tatum led the Cass offense with two doubles and four RBI. Lovett also had two hits with two RBI. Nic Wright (RBI), Zach Stiles, Jacob Johnson, Landon Lamb, and Dawson Warner added one hit. Trenton Elario and Wallin (sacrifice fly) drove in one run each. Lucas Baker (three RBI) and Conner Lujan (double) had two hits for the Wildcats. Alfredo Romo (double, RBI), Preston Sorrells (sac fly RBI), Cochran (RBI), and Jake Clowers contributed one hit for Woodland. The Wildcats (13-11, 7-9) and Colonels (11-13, 6-10) will continue their series on Friday with a doubleheader at Woodland.  CARTERSVILLE 21, SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD 2 Gavin Renegar The Purple Hurricanes scored in every frame and rolled to a 21-2 win at Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday. Cartersville scored five runs in the first inning and led 21-0 through 4-½ innings. The Raiders scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the shutout. Andrew Purdy made the pitching start for the Canes and tossed three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and two walks with six strikeouts. Davis Waddell struck out two and faced the minimum in the fourth inning, and Brady Kerlin allowed two runs (one earned) on three walks and one hit in the fifth inning. The Hurricanes rattled off seventeen hits in the game. Julez Pratt (double, RBI), Cooper Reynolds (RBI), and Purdy (home run, three RBI) had two hits for Cartersville. Casen Cochran (triple, three RBI), Nolan Elrod (double, three RBI), Brayden Logan (three RBI), Asa Mitchum (two RBI), Cameron Cochran (two RBI), Thomas Peters (double, RBI), Gavin Renegar (RBI), Jack Graves (RBI), Tristan McKibben, Logan Buchanan, and Cooper Adams contributed one hit. The loss dropped Southeast Whitfield to 4-21 overall and 1-15 in Region 7-AAAA. Cartersville (18-7, 14-2) will host the Raiders for a doubleheader on Friday at 5 p.m. to complete the series. ADAIRSVILLE 9, LAFAYETTE 2 McCayden Hufstetler pitched four shutout innings in Adairsville's 9-2 win over LaFayette. The Adairsville Tigers opened their three-game series with LaFayette with a 9-2 home victory Tuesday night. The visiting Ramblers took advantage of five walks in the top of the first inning to grab an early 2-0 lead, but Adairsville scored nine unanswered runs over the subsequent five frames to put the game away. Jack Nelson started on the mound for the Tigers and picked up the pitching victory with three innings of work. He yielded two earned runs on one hit and six walks while striking out four of fifteen batters. McCayden Hufstetler pitched four shutout innings of relief to close out the win. Hufstetler gave up three hits and issued two walks with two strikeouts. Isaac Burnett had three hits and two RBI to pace the Adairsville offense. Harrison Cole contributed a second-inning two-run homer, a double, and three RBI. Brody Varner (RBI) and Braxton Ryan (RBI) also had two hits. Peyton Bowen, Jarrett Scott, and Nelson added one hit for the Tigers (13-7, 8-5). Game 2 of the Region 7-AAA series is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at LaFayette (12-12, 7-9).

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com In conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, Elite Stone Supply presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools 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. Cayce Brown is the March 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School. A senior, Brown has played on the Lady Colonels softball team for four years and has been a member of the Cass golf team for three years. This season, she has made notable progress with her golf game, which is highlighted by a strong performance at the challenging Barnsley Gardens course. Brown also achieved her personal best 18-hole score during the month. Beyond her athletic achievements, Brown is a supportive teammate. She is always eager to share helpful tips and strategies with others. Brown, the daughter of Darren and Mandy Goodwin and Keith and Julie Brown, excels in the classroom with a 4.0 grade point average. Her academic load includes college-level coursework. She plans to continue her education at the University of Mississippi and hopes to remain connected to the game of golf in some capacity. Andrew Lutjens is the Cartersville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for March 2025. He is the team captain, a senior and four-year starter for the Canes. Lutjens currently leads Cartersville with an 18-hole scoring average of 71. He has been an individual runner-up in two tournaments and has carded rounds of 70 in two tournaments.. “I became golf coach in his freshman year, so, in effect, we came in together,” said Hurricanes’ golf coach Chad Murray. “From the beginning, I was amazed at the quality of golf he played.” The son of Hans and Tonya Lutjens, Andrew loves to fish and is an avid angler. However, his desire is to play college golf, and he has recently started receiving some interest from collegiate golf programs.  “Cartersville has a lot of good players,” noted Murray. “But Andrew can grind and settle himself after bad shots or a hole. Not all players have that attribute, which is key to his overall success.” Juan Jose Mendoza represents Woodland High School as the March 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month. He is a senior midfielder on the Wildcats’ soccer team and also participated in the cross country and track and field teams. He earned All-Region recognition in soccer. “Juan is a hard worker and will do everything for the team. He is a great leader and positively influences his team,” said Woodland coach Stuart Morse. The son of Orlando Mendoza and Maria Padilla, he is a straight-A student and plans to attend Kennesaw State University. “Juan is a difference maker on the pitch,” added Morse. “He can change a game and is a player that will truly be missed upon graduation.” Stella Rood is the Adairsville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for March 2025. The daughter of Jason and Wendi Rood is a senior team captain for the Lady Tigers tennis team and was also on the competitive cheer team. “Stella is a solid player,” states Tigers’ coach Jayme Laney. “She is dedicated to her sport and is a joy to coach and watch play.” Rood maintains a 4.0 grade point average while taking advanced placement and joint enrollment classes. She was a Homecoming court member for this school year and plans to attend the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. Editor's Note: The respective schools and athletic departments supply Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF with photos and bios. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque and recognition during a radio feature on WBHF. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool

April 6, 2025 After dropping the opening game of the week-long series with South Georgia State this past Tuesday at Robert Bentley Field in Cartersville, the GHC Chargers won all three games at SGSCC to take the conference series.  Following a 9-6 loss on Tuesday, the Chargers won 8-2 on Friday in Douglas. GHC swept the host Hawks on Saturday, 20-0 and 9-8. Max Eichenberger (5.1 IP, 2ER, 6H, 2BB, 6K) was the winning pitcher on Friday with a start that worked into the sixth inning. Jackson Greer (3.2 IP, 0R, 3H, 1BB, 3K) wrapped things up. Andrew Arnold (7 IP, 0R, 5H, 1BB, 7K) tossed a complete game in Saturday’s opener.  Hunter Ward (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K) picked up the pitching win in the final game of the series with two innings of relief work in the sixth and seventh. Kaiden Krak (1 IP, 5ER, 3H, 3BB, 2K) made the pitching start, and Brodie Chestnutt (4 IP, 2ER, 6H, 0BB, 3K) worked four innings of middle relief. On Friday and Saturday, Kenskey Thomas had seven hits, including one home run and six RBI. Ryan Martin (home run, two sacrifice flies, nine RBI) and Ian Fullerton (triple, three RBI) followed with three hits. Caden Marcos (home run, double, three RBI) had five hits in the three games. Andrew Bishop (homer, double, four RBI) and Heath Whitlock (double, RBI) contributed four hits. Tyler Phillips (double, three RBI) and Grayson Godbee (double, two RBI) produced three this. Wyatt Gatlin (RBI) added one hit. South Georgia State slipped to 19-21 overall and 5-9 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. The Chargers (32-7, 11-4) have won eight of nine and begin a four-game conference series at Gordon State College on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Barnesville. Georgia Highlands will host the Highlanders on Thursday at 2 p.m. and will entertain with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Heading into the series, the Chargers, who are in first place in the GCAA standings, currently hold a three-game lead over Gordon State.

April 6, 2025 Georgia Highlands College softball swept a home conference doubleheader with Andrew College on Saturday, winning 18-3 and 14-0 at Carol Brown Field on the Cartersville campus. The Chargers needed only five innings in each victory. Hayden Joyner (5 IP, 3R, 0ER, 2H, 4BB, 2K) was the winning pitcher in the opening game. Athens Hudson (5 IP, 0R, 1H, 5K) tossed a one-hitter in the second game.  Athens Hudson Mary Catherine Kimball had five hits in the doubleheader, including one double and five RBI. Hailey Love (RBI, two stolen bases) and Joyner (triple, double, two RBI) finished with three hits. Faith Gauthier (double, stolen base, three RBI), Abbi Hall (triple, three RBI), Emmalee Freeman (home run, three RBI), Ahmani Green (triple, double, three stolen bases, RBI), Maci Andrews (double, three stolen bases, RBI), and Raeghan Thompson contributed two hits. Chloe Fowler (three RBI), Emma Darrow (RBI), Cayden Warren (RBI), and Ally Graden (RBI) added one hit for the Chargers. The two wins extended the GHC winning streak to seven games. The Chargers (26-12, 7-3 GCAA) have a doubleheader at Andrew College (0-29, 0-10) on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

April 4, 2025 Cartersville and Woodland completed Region 7-AAAA series sweeps with doubleheader wins on Friday. GAME 1: CARTERSVILLE 11, CEDARTOWN 5 GAME 2: CARTERSVILLE 8, CEDARTOWN 2 David Vargas The Hurricanes trailed 5-1 after two innings in the opening game of Friday’s doubleheader at Cedartown, but chipped into the lead with two runs in the third inning and pulled away with eight runs over the final three to win 11-5. Nate Russell collected the pitching win with a six-inning start. The right-hander allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight. Logan Shrewsbury pitched a scoreless seventh inning with one strikeout. Cole Crawford (solo home run, double), Julez Pratt (RBI), and David Vargas (two RBI) led the Cartersville offense with two hits.  Brayden Logan (home run, two RBI), Nolan Elrod (two RBI), Thomas Peters (double, RBI), Tristan McKibben (solo home run), and Andrew Purdy added one hit. Cameron Cochran drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Cartersville completed the three-game series sweep with an 8-2 win in the nightcap. Avery Shiflett (5 IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 5K) and Maddox Frazier (2 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 4K) shared the pitching duties in the Canes’ win.  Andrew Purdy led the Cartersville offense with four hits, including one double and one RBI. McKibben followed with two hits. Peters (RBI), Crawford (double, RBI), Vargas, and Pratt added one hit. Cochran contributed one RBI with a sacrifice fly. With Friday’s losses, Cedartown fell to 11-13 overall and 8-7 in Region 7-AAAA. Cartersville (17-7, 13-2) begins a three-game series with Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday in Dalton. The Canes will host a doubleheader on Friday, April 11. GAME 1: WOODLAND 9, HIRAM 8 GAME 2: WOODLAND 15, HIRAM 0 Austin Daves After trailing 7-0 through three and one-half innings, the host Wildcats scored nine runs over the final four innings to edge visiting Hiram in the first game of a doubleheader Friday night. Preston Sorrells drove home the game-winning, walk-off run with a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh. Tucker James picked up the pitching victory with five innings of relief. He allowed just one, unearned run on one hit and two walks. James struck out five. Lucas Baker (0.0 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H) started on the mound, and Christian Duran (2 IP, 3ER, 3H, 1BB, 4K) pitched in relief for the Wildcats. Sorrells (double, two RBI) and Alfredo Romo (RBI) had two hits for the Woodland offense. Conner Lujan (triple, three RBI), Jonathan Ryan (RBI), Grant Tidwell (RBI), and Tommy Risner added one hit.  In Game 2, Woodland scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 15-0 win in four innings. Austin Daves pitched all four innings for the Wildcats, earning a shutout on two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Woodland took advantage of eleven walks issued by Hornets pitchers and needed only six hits. Lujan had two hits and one RBI. Risner (two RBI), Baker (triple, four RBI), Ryan (RBI), and Sorrells added one hit. Kallen Reynolds, Ben Turcotte, Sammy Ray, Tidwell, and Romo produced one RBI. Woodland's two wins resulted in a three-game sweep in the series. Hiram dropped to 7-17 overall and 2-13 in Region 7-AAAA. Woodland (13-10, 7-8) opens a series at Cass on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. GAME 1:  ALLATOONA 3, CASS 2 GAME 2:  ALLATOONA 6, CASS 1 Hunter Lovett The sixth-ranked Buccaneers scored three runs on only two hits in the third inning of the first game Friday at Cass, and Buccaneers’ pitchers Jacob Jenkins and Cruz Paul limited the Colonels’ bats enough for a 3-2 win.  Hunter Lovett hit a two-run homer for Cass in the fifth inning, but the Colonels got no closer. Jacob Johnson (3 IP, 3R, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 3K) and Dustin Wallin (4 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 3K) pitched for Cass in the opening game.  Nic Wright had two hits for the Colonels. Chase Tatum and Trenton Elario had the other Cass base hits. In Game 2 on Friday, Cass led 1-0 until Allatoona posted six runs on two walks and six hits in the sixth inning for a 6-1 victory. The Buccaneers' win completed a three-game sweep of the Colonels. Cass used four pitchers in Game 2, including starter Jay Sheldon (3.2 IP, 0R, 2H, 4BB, 3K). Wright (1.1 IP, 6ER, 7H, 1BB, 1K), Landon Lamb (1 IP, 0R, 1BB), and Tatum (1 IP, 0R, 2K) took the mound in relief. Elario (RBI) and Zach Stiles had the only Cass hits in the second game. Allatoona improved to 21-3 overall and 14-1 in Region 7-AAAA. Cass (10-13, 5-10) hosts Woodland on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to begin a three-game region series.