Lady Canes win region title on Shiflett's walk-off, three-run homer

October 10, 2023 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Zoie Shiflett

Cartersville freshman Zoie Shiflett smacked a three-run home run Tuesday night in the bottom of the tenth inning to lift the Lady Canes to an 11-10, walk-off victory over Calhoun. The win also secured the Region 7-AAAAA championship for Cartersville and the right to host a GHSA Super Regional next week.

The Region 7-AAAAA title is the second straight for the Purple Hurricanes.

The two teams battled to a 6-6 tie through the regulation seven innings with Cartersville needing a Layne Callan RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to the extra frames.

Both teams scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings making the score 8-8.

Calhoun then scored twice in the top of the tenth to grab a 10-8 lead that set up the Shiflett heroics.

Cartersville’s half of the tenth inning started with an assigned base runner at second. After a strikeout and a fielder’s choice groundout. Allana Williams reached on an infield error by the Yellow Jackets. Shiflett then launched a 0-1 pitch over the left field wall for the dramatic win.

Shiflett finished the night 3-for-4 at the plate including a double and the three-run blast. She also earned the pitching victory (8.1 IP, 8R, 6ER, 12H, 4BB, 3K). Kennedy Stevens (1.2 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB, 2K) also worked in the circle for the Hurricanes.

Jordan Bishop led the Canes’ offensive attack with four hits including two doubles, one home run, and four RBIs. Callan also had four hits including one double and three RBIs.

Kennedy Crenshaw and Williams (double) finished with two hits each for Cartersville. Addi Burns, Miley Jo Williams, Erin McCrary, and LaKiaya Banks (RBI) added one hit apiece.

Cartersville and Calhoun finished the region slate with identical 13-2 league records but Cartersville won the tie-breaker by winning two of three head-to-head games. Both Cartersville wins over Calhoun — by the way — were in extra innings.

Cartersville (18-9, 13-2) will now host a four-team, double-elimination Super Regional on Monday and Tuesday (Oct 16-17). The Canes will play Centennial in the opening round with the other two participants still to be determined. The bracket will include the Region 8-5A runner-up and the third-place team from Region 5-5A.

Calhoun (17-10-1, 13-2) will play in the Super Regional hosted by the Region 8-5A champion. The No. 2-seeded Yellow Jackets open that regional against Chattahoochee — a 3-seed from Region 6-5A.

WOODLAND 12, CASS 3

Woodland scored 11 runs across their final three offensive frames Tuesday night at Cass to defeat the Colonels 12-3 in five innings.

Alana Carnes led the Lady Cats’ offense with three hits and two RBIs. Elizabeth Hartsfield followed with two hits including a homer and five RBIs. Jordan Hammonds, L Calhoun, and B Ryan (RBI) added one hit apiece.

Peyton Dorn (5 IP, 3ER, 8H, 1BB, 2K) collected the pitching win for Woodland.

Harlee Thomason and KK Evans had two hits each for Cass. Darianna Sosa hit a solo home run. Payton Mize (RBI), Cayce Brown (double, RBI), and Erin Clinard added one hit apiece.

Emma Gibson (3.1 IP, 8R, 3ER, 4H, 4BB) was the pitcher of record for the Lady Colonels. Lily Powell (1.2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 1H, 5BB) also pitched.

Cass falls to 9-17 on the season and finishes region play 3-12 in 7-AAAAA. The Lady Colonels host North Cobb Christian in their final game on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Woodland (20-9, 10-5) hosts a non-region game with LaFayette on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. as a tune-up for next week’s Class 5A Super Regional. The Lady Cats will be a 3-seed and play Cambridge in the opening round of the four-team, double-elimination regional. The location and two other teams in their bracket will be determined later in the week.

COAHULLA CREEK 8, ADAIRSVILLE 0

Adairsville managed only three hits Tuesday night at Coahulla Creek in an 8-0 loss to the Colts.

Ashlyn Carlton, Brie Patterson (double), and Chelsea Bates (double) had the Tigers’ hits.

Coahulla Creek improved to 17-8 with the win. Adairsville’s season ends with a 6-18 mark.