Walters State draws first blood in Appalachian District Series

May 12, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Georgia Highlands baseball fell behind early on Tuesday and could not recover, losing the first game of their best-of-three Appalachian District Championship Series to Walters State (TN) Community College, 12-4, in Cartersville.

Both teams produced thirteen hits in the game, but Walters State’s offense was more productive.

The visiting Senators scored five runs in the second inning, including Holden Pantier’s grand slam, and built a 7-1 lead after four innings. The Chargers narrowed the gap to 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth, but Walters State responded with two runs in the sixth and added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth to seal the win.

Jackson Berry led the Senators’ offense with four hits. Pantier contributed two hits and five RBIs, including his grand slam. Jaxon Walker also homered for Walters State.

Brady Scott (7 IP, 4 ER, 12 H, 0 BB, 6 K) earned the victory on the mound and improved to 6-0 this season. Ryan Smith pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit with one walk and three strikeouts, closing out the game.

David McKechnie (3 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 4 K) started for GHC and was charged with the loss. Jackson Scali (2.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K), Heath Whitlock (1.2 IP, 0 R, 2 K), Calvin Koo (1.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 K), and Marshall Flowers (0.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) pitched in relief.

Carson Page had four hits, including two doubles and one RBI, for the Chargers. Andrew Bishop (RBI), Emiliano Dominguez, and Harper Davenport each contributed two hits. Caden Marcos (RBI), Kenton Collier, and Aidan Larkin (double) added one hit apiece.

Georgia Highlands (47-14) and Walters State (51-11) will face off again in Game 2 on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Bentley Field in Cartersville. The Senators will advance to the NJCAA World Series with a win. GHC aims to force a decisive third game on Thursday at 1 p.m.