Hurricanes win two Thursday at PG High School Showdown

The Cartersville Hurricanes rallied for a come-from-behind win over Helena (Ala.) and took down the 2nd-ranked team in Georgia’s Class 6A Thursday evening in a pair of victories at the 8th annual Perfect Game High School Showdown in Hoover, Alabama.

Cartersville defeated Houston County (Ga.) in the first game 5-1 and topped Helena (Ala.) 8-6.

In the win over Helena, the Canes trailed 4-0 through the first four innings before scoring eight times over the next three frames. Cartersville tied the game 4-4 in the top of the fifth and took an 8-4 advantage in the top of the seventh. The Huskies challenged with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Canes’ pitcher Davis Williams was able to end the threat with a groundout to shortstop Josh Davis.

Silas Freeman (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 1K) picked up the pitching win for Cartersville in relief of starter Hayden Davidson (4 IP, 4R, 3ER, 3H, 3BB, 6K). Davis Williams (1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 1BB, 1K) worked the final frame for the Canes on the mound.

Tyler Williamson had two hits including a double and two RBI for Cartersville. Curt Bonner also had a pair of hits and one RBI. Parker McPherson (double, 2 RBI), Jack Carter, and Drew Rothschild had the other Canes’ hits.

CARTERSVILLE 5, HOUSTON COUNTY 1

In the opening game played at Mountain Brook High School, Cartersville got outstanding pitching from starter Micah Earwood and closer Davis Williams then took advantage of eight walks, a hit batsman, and five errors by Georgia Class 6A second-ranked Houston County for a 5-1 win. Earwood (6 IP, 1R, 0ER, 4H, 2BB, 9K) went six strong innings on the mound for the win and struck out nine. Williams (1 IP, 1K) needed only seven pitches and struck out one in a spotless seventh inning to close out the victory.

The Canes scored twice in the first inning, two more in the second inning, and added a run in the third. The only Bears run was scored in the fifth inning. Jaden Woods had a two-hit game and stole a base for Houston County. The Bears slipped to 5-4 for the season. Josh Davis and Elliott Eastin had the two Cartersville base hits. Williams drove in a run in the third inning with a bases loaded walk.

The Hurricanes (7-3) have now won six straight and will start bracket play in the Hoover tournament Friday night at 8:30 p.m. Their opponent to be determined by pool play Thursday night and earlier on Friday.