Canes score early, tame Lions 10-4
Cartersville’s offense waisted little time getting on track Thursday night in their regular season finale’ at Richard Bell Field.
The Canes scored five runs in the second inning and two more in the third to take a 7-1 lead on their way to a 10-4 victory over Central-Carrollton.
The visiting Lions took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but Cartersville roared back in the bottom of the frame.
A hit batsman, sacrifice bunt, and three straight walks tied the game 1-1. Anthony Seigler then lined an RBI-single into right field to give the Canes their first lead of the evening, 2-1.
Noah Daniel grounded out, but forced in a run to make the score 3-1 and Devin Warner singled home two more runs for a 5-1 Canes’ advantage.
Hunter James (photo left) drove home two more runs for Cartersville in the third inning and the Hurricanes led 7-1.
Central scored a run in top of the fifth inning and Cartersville answered with three more of their own.
Preston Welchel doubled in a run with two outs and scored on a J.P. Martin double. Seigler then made the score 10-2 with a liner into right field.
The Lions scored two runs in the top of the seventh on a walk, an outfield error, and an RBI single, but Jake Gooch ended the threat and the game by fanning back-to-back Central batters.
Mason Barnett (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 5K) started on the mound for Cartersville and picked up the win. J.P. Martin (3 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 1K) pitched the third through fifth innings and Jake Gooch (2 IP, 2R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 4K) worked the sixth and seventh.
Warner (photo right) had two hits, including a double and two RBIs. Seigler drove in a pair of runs with two hits. James (2 RBIs), Welchel (RBI), Martin (double, RBI), Daniel (RBI), and Jacob Fowler added one hit each.
Central falls to 9-18 overall and finished 3-9 in Region 5-AAAA.
Cartersville (22-8, 8-4) will hit the road to open the Class AAAA state playoffs beginning Friday, April 28.
The Canes enter the playoffs 4th-seeded from Region 5-AAAA, but 5th-ranked in Class AAAA. Cartersville will play at No. 1 Blessed Trinity (25-3, 10-0 Region 7-AAAA) in the first round. The best-of-three series will open with a doubleheader and if a third game is needed, it would be played at Blessed Trinity on Saturday, April 29.
