Bartow 10U softball teams remain unbeaten at district tourney

The Bartow County 10-and-under all-stars had another successful night on the softball diamond Tuesday, June 23.

Both the machine pitch and the live-arm teams won their games to advance in district play. Bartow County is hosting the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District Five 10-and-under softball championships at Hamilton Crossing Park.

In live arm action, the Bartow 10-and-under girls defeated Murray County 9-0 in five innings to advance to the winner’s bracket finals of their tournament.

Bartow will now face Rome/Floyd County Thursday (June 25, 8pm) with the winner qualifying for the championship game(s). Calhoun will play Murray County in an elimination game Thursday at 6:30pm.

Saydee Najarro pitched a gem for Bartow allowing only one infield hit and no other baserunners. She struck out 12 to earn the pitching win in the circle. Offensively, Bartow totaled eight hits. Cassie Jones led Bartow with a 3-for-3 performance. Rylee Massingill, Michiah Hicks, Hayley Stiles, Madison Flemmons, and Najarro added hits.

The live pitching 10-and-under tournament through Friday night with a possible "if game" Saturday morning if needed.

In the machine pitch division, Bartow won a thrilling back and forth contest with Whitfield County 15-14. The victory moves Bartow County into the finals of the district tournament. Trailing 14-9 going into the bottom of the sixth Bartow plated 6 runs to complete the come-from-behind effort. Bartow tallied 18 hits in the contest. Haley Dishmon and Deandrea Applin each had three hits apiece to lead the locals attack. Amaya Ford, Heidi Garner, Harley Owens, and Alyssa Jarrett had a pair of hits each. Gabbi Becerra had added one hit, and it was a spark that led to the comeback -- a bases clearing inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the contest at 14.

Bartow will now await the winner of Gilmer County and Whitfield County in the possible championship game Thursday night at 8 pm at Hamilton Crossing Park. Bartow needs only one more win to claim the district title.

An "if necessary game" in the double-elimination tournament will be Friday at 7pm if needed.