Canes dominate Lions in first-round series

April 22, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Nate Russell collected the Game 1 pitching win on Wednesday as the Hurricanes swept their first-round state playoff series against the M.L. King Lions.

Dominant pitching and plenty of offensive production lifted the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes to a Class AAA state playoff first-round sweep of the M.L. King Lions on Wednesday at Richard Bell Field.

The Canes secured the best-of-three playoff series with victories of 11-0 and 15-0.

In Game 1, starting pitcher Nate Russell and reliever Collier Jordan limited the Lions to only one hit and two walks. The duo combined for twelve strikeouts.

Cartersville scored two runs in the first and second innings, added a run in the third, and posted six runs in the fourth.

Brayden Logan led the offense with two doubles and two RBI. Cole Crawford (double, two RBI), Cooper Reynolds (sac fly, two RBI), David Vargas (sac fly, RBI), Nolan Elrod (double, RBI), Clint Hosea (double, RBI), Harris Turner (double, RBI), and Gianni Gandy (double, RBI) each added one hit.

In Game 2, Elrod started on the mound, struck out nine, and allowed just one hit. Wyatt Earwood struck out two to close out a scoreless sixth inning.

The Canes led 5-0 through three innings, added two runs in the fifth, and put the game away with an eight-run sixth inning.

Crawford paced the Canes’ bats with three hits, including a home run and four RBI. Vargas (double, RBI) and Logan (double) followed with two hits each. Elrod (two RBI), Reynolds (double, two RBI), Kent Gresham (double, RBI), and Hosea each added one hit.

M.L. King finished the year with a 14-10 record.

Cartersville (25-7) will host the Ware County/Walnut Grove series winner in the Sweet Sixteen round. The best-of-three series will begin with a doubleheader on April 29.