Local youth softball teams place third at GRPA state tourneys

June 25, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

The Cartersville 10U softball team and the Bartow County 12U softball team each placed third in their respective state tournaments this past Tuesday through Thursday at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association championships at Edwards Park in Dalton.

Cartersville 10U started the five-team, double-elimination tournament on Tuesday with a 15-9 win over Carroll County, but was eliminated after losing the next two games. Cartersville 10U lost and was no-hit by the eventual state champions, Effingham County, 15-0, on Wednesday, and then fell 8-5 to the state runner-up Jefferson on Thursday.

Maggie Adams led the Cartersville 10U offense with three hits across the three tournament games, including a triple, a double, and three RBI. Adams also pitched seven innings and recorded six strikeouts. Lollie Jarrett (two RBI), Breannah Shipp (triple, RBI), Caroline Pate, and Mae Taylor each added one hit. Aria Cashion produced one RBI. Reagan Mahan struck out five in 1-2/3 innings in the circle, and Taylor fanned three in 1-1/3 innings.

The Cartersville 10U roster also included Mia Castleberry, Jo Lynne Collins, Emerson Daniel, Lillian Greenway, and Phoenix Taylor.

The Bartow County 12U softball team went 3-2 this past Tuesday through Thursday to place third in the eight-team, double-elimination GRPA state tournament at Edwards Park in Dalton.

Bartow 12U achieved victories over Dawson County (12-0), South Bryan County (6-4), and Moultrie-Colquitt County (5-1), but lost twice to eventual state runner-up Emmanuel County by scores of 7-1 and 6-2. Vidalia won four straight games to win the state title.

Mckynlee Gunter (double, four RBI) and Cayden Sexton (RBI) each totaled six hits across Bartow’s five games in the state tournament. Emma Kuykendall (triple, double) and Caroline Owen (home run, two triples, three RBI) followed with four hits each. Annaleigh Altizer (double, RBI) and Ellie Hardman (RBI) finished the tournament with three hits. Harper Fox (home run, four RBI) and Armauni Palacios (double, RBI) contributed two hits. Gracie Moon (two RBI), Emma Corbin, and Saydie Ray each added one hit. Emilyn Sexton had one RBI.

Owen recorded 31 strikeouts and pitched 15 innings in the tournament. She had two scoreless outings and a third appearance with only one earned run allowed. Kuykendall fanned three across six innings of work in the circle.