Jefferson’s seventh-inning surge sends Lady Canes to elimination game

October 30, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

The Jefferson Lady Dragons scored six runs in the seventh inning on Friday, becoming the first Class 5A team to beat the Cartersville Lady Canes all season, 8-2. Cartersville's two regular season losses were to Class 7A opponents Harrison and Lambert in August, and the loss snapped the Hurricanes' 23-game win streak.

The Jefferson victory came in a pivotal game at the double-elimination Class 5A State Championship Tournament. The Dragons advanced to Saturday’s championship round, needing just one more win to claim the state title. The loss dropped Cartersville into an elimination game on Saturday morning, leaving the Lady Canes needing three straight wins to capture the state title.

With the game tied 2-2 heading into the top of the seventh, Jefferson loaded the bases on an infield error and two walks. Shortstop Jenna Rapp followed with a grand slam home run over the centerfield fence to give the Dragons a 6-2 lead. Another base hit and an infield error by the Hurricanes plated a seventh run before a walk, and a groundout scored one more.

Trailing 8-2, the Lady Canes were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh.

Jefferson led 1-0 on Mya Ogletree’s RBI single in the top of the second, but Cartersville grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third on a two-RBI hit by Kennedy Crenshaw. The Dragons’ Lexi Bishop drove in a run with an RBI single in the top of the sixth to tie it 2-2 and set up the final-inning drama.

Finley Jordan earned the pitching victory for Jefferson by going all seven innings in the circle. She allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eleven.

Zoie Shiflett worked the circle into the seventh inning for the Lady Canes and was tagged with the loss. She allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk while fanning six. Presley Crabbe entered with two on base and no outs in the seventh. She allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks.

The Lady Canes managed just three hits — one each from Crenshaw (two RBI), Shiflett, and Carder Brock.

Cartersville (32-3) plays Central-Carroll (29-8) at 10 a.m. on Saturday in an elimination game. The winner advances to play Jefferson (30-7) in the finals on Saturday afternoon and must beat the Dragons twice to win the championship.