Purdy powers Canes in series sweep of Cambridge

April 24, 2025

Andrew Purdy recorded eight strikeouts in five innings on the mound and was 4-for-4 with four doubles at the plate as the Hurricanes completed a first-round playoff sweep of the visiting Cambridge Bears.

The Purple Hurricanes posted two runs early on Thursday, and pitchers Andrew Purdy and Logan Shrewsbury were strong on the mound, lifting Cartersville to a 3-0 win and a first-round playoff sweep of visiting Cambridge.

The Hurricanes won the series opener on Wednesday night, 5-0.

Purdy scattered three hits and three walks in the first five innings on the bump to earn the pitching victory. He struck out eight. 

Shrewsbury completed the shutout. He gave up one hit and no walks while recording one strikeout in the final two frames. 

Playing as the visiting team and batting first in Game 2 at Richard Bell Field, the Canes got on the scoreboard in the first inning. Purdy led off the game with a line drive double into left field, and his courtesy runner, Gavin Renegar, scored on a single by Tristan McKibben. Later in the inning, Julez Pratt singled home McKibben for an early 2-0 advantage.

Cartersville added an insurance run at the top of the fifth inning. Purdy doubled again to begin the inning, and courtesy runner Renegar scored one out later on a double by Cole Crawford.

Purdy had four hits —all doubles — in his four plate appearances. McKibben (RBI), Crawford (double, RBI), Pratt (RBI), Brayden Logan, and Nolan Elrod produced one hit each. 

Cambridge finished the season with a 17-14-1 mark.

Cartersville (25-7) advances to the second round for the 28th time in the past 29 seasons. The Canes will begin a best-of-three series at Starrs Mill (21-6) with a doubleheader on Tuesday in Fayetteville at 4:30 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it will be played on Wednesday at Starrs Mill at 5:30 p.m.