Tigers cruise to first-round series victory
The Adairsville Tigers cruised to a doubleheader win and first-round series sweep at Carver-Atlanta Monday night as they started play in the GHSA Class AAA state playoffs.
Adairsville won the first game 17-1 and the second game 15-0. Both wins took only three innings by mercy run rule.
Tigers’ pitchers dominated the Panthers.
Dawson Craig, Jack Whitley, and Hudson Parr combined for seven strikeouts and a no-hitter in the opening game. Then Jack Nelson, Kaiden Coker, and Grayson Belcher combined for six strikeouts in a one-hitter in Game 2.
The Tigers’ offense meanwhile rolled out 32 runs on 18 hits and stole 10 bases in the doubleheader sweep.
Chris Roper had three hits including a pair of doubles and five RBIs. Tyler Driggers also finished with three hits including one double and four RBIs.
Jarrett Scott (four RBIs), Peyton Bowen (RBI), Landon O’Neal (double, two RBIs), and Nelson (RBI) had two hits each. PJ Weeks (RBI), Hayden Blalock (RBI), Evan Sanders (double, RBI), and Braxton Ryan (two RBIs) added one hit apiece. Easton Elrod contributed one RBI.
Carver’s season ends with an 8-13 record.
Adairsville (17-11) advances to the Sweet Sixteen round of the Class AAA state playoffs to face either Region 8 champ Franklin County or the 4-seed from Region 7-AAA, Dawson County.
Franklin County and Dawson County split their doubleheader Monday with Franklin County winning 2-1 in Game 1 and Dawson County taking Game 2, 4-0. Their deciding game will be Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Carnesville.
As a 3-seed, Adairsville would travel to Franklin County but would host Dawson County.
That Sweet Sixteen series begins with a doubleheader Saturday and would have a third game, if needed, on Monday, May 1.
