Canes edged at Central-Phenix City
Central-Phenix City (AL) scored five runs in their final two frames Saturday to upend visiting Cartersville, 7-6.
Cartersville led 6-2 through five innings and 6-5 going to the bottom of the seventh, but saw that lead get away.
Central-Phenix City scored their seventh inning runs on three singles, a fielder’s choice, a walk, and a catcher’s interference call that resulted in the game-winning run off relief pitcher Anthony Seigler.
The Canes utilized three pitchers across the first six frames. Jake Gooch (3 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 4K), Levi Ayers (1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB), and Spencer Dickey (2 IP, 3R, 0ER, 2H, 0BB) combined for the first six innings.
Evan Baber was the seventh inning pitcher for Central-Phenix City and picked up the win with one shutout inning of relief. Dalton Wilder started for the Red Devils and gave up six runs on seven hits. Gage Dollar worked shutout innings in the fifth and sixth for Central.
Tanner Belcher and Baber had two hits each for the Red Devils. Alex Baker drove in two runs with a hit. Wade Chandler also finished with a pair of RBIs.
Preston Welchel, Devin Warner, and Dickey (L-R photos below) all hit home runs for the Hurricanes. Welchel hit a solo shot in the third inning. Dickey’s three-run blast came in the fourth to put the Canes ahead 4-0. Warner hit a two-run homer in the fifth to give Cartersville a 6-2 lead.
Noah Daniel had two hits, including a double. Seigler, J.P. Martin, and Jacob Fowler each contributed hits for the Canes.
Central improved to 15-10 for the year.
Cartersville (15-6 overall, 5-2 Region 5AAAA) will compete in the six-team Perfect Game Rawlings Select Classic #3 at LakePoint in Emerson next week. The Hurricanes play Walnut Grove Thursday on Field 13 at 3:30pm and Dunwoody Friday at 3:30pm on Field 9.
Outcomes in those two games will determine the remainder of the Canes’ schedule in the tournament.
Cartersville will return to Region 5AAAA play Tuesday, April 11 at Richard Bell Field against Chapel Hill.
