Back to Columbus: Lady Canes advance to the Class 5A Elite Eight Finals tournament
October 21, 2026
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
Cartersville High School softball quickly dispatched Blessed Trinity on Wednesday evening, sweeping the visiting Titans in a doubleheader at Dellinger Park in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The Lady Canes won 11-3 in five innings and 18-0 in four innings, advancing to the Elite Eight double-elimination state tournament, October 28-31, at the Columbus Olympic Softball Complex for the third time in four seasons.
Presley Crabbe was the Game 1 winning pitcher. The junior allowed three earned runs on eight hits with no walks and three strikeouts. Zoie Shiflett earned the Game 2 win, shutting out the Titans on two hits, with no walks and four strikeouts.
Cartersville pounded out 27 hits in its nine offensive frames. The Lady Canes had 14 extra-base hits, including three homers.
Allana Williams led the offense with five hits (two doubles, one triple, and one RBI) in the series. Kennedy Crenshaw (grand slam home run, nine RBI), LaKiaya Banks (home run, two doubles, six RBI), and Izzy Tummins (double, three RBI) each had four hits. Carder Brock (two doubles, three RBI) had three hits. Shiflett (home run, double, two RBI), Sam Porter (double, RBI), and Sophia Harper (RBI) each had two hits. Taryn Bradley (two RBI) had one hit.
Lady Canes’ head coach Glen Woodard reflected on the second-round series win.
“Man, it was a great environment to play in,” said Woodard. “Kennedy Crenshaw’s grand slam put us up in the first game. In the second game, our bats came alive. We hit two more home runs, and the runs just kept coming. Zoie (Shiflett) and Presley (Crabbe) both did their thing on the mound, propelling us to Columbus for the third time in four years. I couldn’t be prouder of this senior class. They're leaving a legacy, and the younger ones are gaining valuable experience to help it continue.”
Blessed Trinity finished the season 19-11.
Cartersville (30-2) will play either Marist or East Forsyth on October 28 at 5:45 p.m. on Field 8 to begin the double-elimination Elite Eight state finals. The War Eagles and Broncos split their second-round doubleheader on Wednesday, with Marist winning the first game 7-3 and East Forsyth winning the second game 10-9. They will play a series-deciding third game on Thursday.
Other teams advancing on Wednesday in Class 5A were Harris County, Jefferson, Wayne County, Starrs Mill, and Central-Carroll. North Oconee and Perry split their doubleheader on Wednesday and will play a rubber game on Thursday.
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