Canes open Battle for Bartow with win over Cedartown

Cartersville hurler Phillip Schiltz allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks Thursday as the 5th-ranked Purple Hurricanes defeated Cedartown 6-3 in both teams' opener at the Battle for Bartow.

A four-run fourth inning and single runs added in the fifth and sixth innings lifted the Class AAAAA 5th-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes to a 6-3 win Thursday afternoon over Cedartown.

The game was the first for both teams in the 2021 Battle for Bartow Classic being played at LakePoint in Emerson.

Canes’ pitcher Phillip Schiltz earned the win on the mound with a five inning performance. The right hander allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out eight. Gunner Millsap (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 2K) and Silas Freeman (1 IP, 1ER, 0H, 1BB) worked one inning each to close out the win.

Cedartown (11-8-1) led 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning. The Bulldogs added a single run in the fifth that narrowed the Cartersville lead to 4-2, but got no closer. Mississippi State commit Dylan Cupp had two triples and Reece Tanner drove home all three Bulldogs runs.

Elliott Eastin and Harrison Childers had two hits each for the Cartersville offense. Curt Bonner, Hank Smith (triple), Parker McPherson, and Colt McKibben had one hit and one RBI each for the Canes. Blake Sutton contributed a double and Jake Brasfield finished with one base hit and a stolen base.

For Cartersville, it was a third straight win to improve to 17-7 on the season.

The Canes will play twice Friday in the Battle for Bartow at LakePoint. Cartersville takes on Centennial at 1 p.m. and Johns Creek at 7 p.m.