Canes suffer their first loss on a walk-off hit by the Patriots

March 1, 2024

Luke Miller had two hits in the Purple Hurricanes' 4-3 loss on Friday to Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.)

The Cartersville baseball Hurricanes found themselves on the wrong side of a 4-3 walk-off final Friday in the Red Bracket quarterfinals of the 2024 Perfect Game High School Showdown in Hoover, Alabama.

The Canes were tied 3-3 with Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.) in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Patriots scored a run on an RBI single by Zack Johnson. Two walks (one intentional) and a single loaded the bases for the Patriots with one out before the game-winning hit.

Nicholas Hruby (1.1 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB) was tagged with the Cartersville pitching loss in relief of starter Ryan Johnson (5 IP, 3R, 1ER, 3H, 3BB, 5K) who worked the first five frames and struck out five.

Cartersville was limited to four hits in the loss. Cameron Cochran (two RBIs) and Luke Miller (double) both had two hits.

Bob Jones (7-2) will play Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, NC) in the semifinals on Saturday. The Patriots are ranked No. 3 in Class 7A in Alabama.

The Canes (7-1) were scheduled for a consolation game Friday at 10 p.m. ET against the Pickens Dragons and will play a final consolation game (TBD) on Saturday.