Bentley's no hitter leads Bartow 12U softball at GRPA district tournament

The Bartow County 12-and-under softball all-stars opened the GRPA District 5 tournament at Veterans Park in Chatsworth with a pair of victories over Rockmart and Whitfield County. Those wins placed Bartow 12U in the winners’ bracket final against host Murray County Saturday afternoon (June 20). Those results were not immediately available, but will be updated on Bartow Sports Zone. Bartow beat Rockmart 13-0 in both teams’ tournament opener Friday night (June 19). Madison Bentley pitched a complete game no hitter for Bartow. She recorded 11 strikeouts. Maggie Pruitt and Kyla Jenkins had three hits and a walk each to lead the Bartow offense. Harper Powell added a pair of hits.

In a 3-2 win over Whitfield County, Bentley again pitched a complete game with six strikeouts. Bartow pulled out a back-and-forth contest in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Tied 2-2 to start the sixth inning, Kyla Jenkins led off the inning with a walk. Jenkins then stole second on the first pitch to Harper Powell. Powell would then lay down a perfect bunt and Whitfield County made a throwing error that got past the first baseman and into right field. The mistake allow Jenkins to cross the plate for Bartow’s winning run. Harper Powell and Macy Vaughn were the leading hitters for Bartow against Whitfield. The 12U District 5 softball tournament continues Monday and Tuesday (June 22-23) in Chatsworth.

Bartow 8U places 4th at district

The Bartow County 8-and-under softball all-stars won a pair of elimination games Saturday to stay alive in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 5 tournament at Gordon County, but later lost 14-8 to Whitfield County to finish fourth. Bartow lost to Gordon County 11-0 Friday night in their tournament opener, but wins over Bremen and Pickens County placed them in an elimination game against Whitfield County late Saturday afternoon.

Haley Collum, Kate Self, Naxyria Roberts, and Elizabeth Hartsfield all had one hit apiece for Bartow in the opening loss to Gordon County.

Bartow 8U bounced back, however, with a 5-3 win over Bremen Saturday. Kaitlyn Arnold, Haley Collum, Marlee Pruitt, Harley Powell, Kamryn Smith, and Alanya Carnes all had 1 hit each in the win. Bartow scored twice in the fifth and two more in the sixth to overcome a 2-1 deficit before a sixth inning Bremen rally came up just short.

Bartow then defeated Pickens County 11-9. A five-run third inning proved to be the difference for Bartow as they held off a late rally by Pickens. Marlee Pruitt, Harley Collum, Aaron McCrary (double), Lane Callan, Alanya Carnes (triple), and Naxriya Roberts all had one hit apiece.

Calhoun, Gordon County, and Whitfield County will continue to battle for the tournament title Monday.