Cartersville LL Rookie team takes tourney opener
The Cartersville Little League Rookie level team (8U) defeated Smyrna Red 8U Saturday in both teams’ opener of the Northwest Georgia Sectional Tournament at Smyrna Little League.
Cartersville trailed 1-0 early, but scored three runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead.
The 8U Canes extended their lead to 5-1 in the top of the third, but Smyrna Red responded with a four-run third inning to knot the score at 5-all.
Cartersville scored three more times in the fourth inning for an 8-5 advantage and then held on for an 8-6 victory.
John Brady Nichols paced the Cartersville offense with a double, a triple, and two RBI. Mason Davis also contributed two RBI.
Parker Huth and Avery Slye both stole two bases. Drake Bailey and River Wade each swiped a bag.
Cartersville used three pitchers in the win. Slye (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 0H, 1BB, 3K), Wade (1.1 IP, 1ER, 0H, 1BB, 4K), and Davis (1.2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 3H, 4BB, 2K) combined for nine strikeouts.
Cartersville advances to the winners’ bracket Sunday at 11 a.m. to face Smyrna Blue who blanked Rockmart in their tournament opener, 14-0.
CARTERSVILLE LL 9U DROPS TOURNEY OPENER
The Cartersville Little League Sandlot level team (9U) lost its Northwest Georgia Sectional Tournament opener to Smyrna Blue 9U Saturday morning, 9-3, at Rudy York Field in Cartersville.
Smyrna Blue took an early lead and Cartersville never quite recovered. Smyrna out hit Cartersville eight to two and scored runs in each of their offensive frames.
Cartersville trailed 3-1 after one inning and fell behind 9-1 before scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Payton Paul had one hit and one RBI for Cartersville. Dixon Lindsey added one hit for the locals.
Clint Hosea, Westin Barfield, Dallen Fuqua, and Cash Priest all pitched for Cartersville in the loss.
Cartersville plays in a losers bracket game Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m against South Fulton. Smyrna Blue advances to play Bartow County Little League 9U Sunday at 1 p.m.
Local Little League Baseball and Softball updates are provided on BartowSportsZone.com courtesy of Play It Again Sports - Cartersville. 410 Cherokee Place
