Cartersville Little League 12U only one win away from District 1 title

Cartersville Little League 12U scored 7 runs in the fourth and fifth innings Sunday (June 28) to pull off a 9-8, come-from-behind win over Rockmart in Game 2 of their District 1 championship series. The victory put Cartersville up 2-0 in the best-of-five series being played at Rudy York Field in Atco.

Trailing by two in the fifth, Cartersville’s Nick Bailey hit a 3-run blast that drove home Trevor Montgomery and Matthew Surrett. The homerun turned out to be a game winner. Bailey also had a double in the game and finished with 5 RBI.

Christian Martin and Tyler Putz (RBI) had doubles for Cartersville. Surrett (RBI) had the locals’ only other hit. Cartersville scored twice in the top of the first, but Rockmart tied the game with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame.

Rockmart then added four runs in the second and two more in the third to take an 8-2 lead prior to Cartersville’s fourth and fifth inning comeback.

In the fourth, Surrett singled to open the inning. Montgomery walked and they both advanced on a groundout by Charlie Heidmann. Bailey then doubled to drive in two runs and later scored when Jackson Cline reached on an error. Alex Freeman was hit by a pitch to keep the inning going and Cline scored when Ethan Wolfe reached on a fielder’s choice. Cartersville used a trio of pitchers in Game 2. Montgomery (1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB), Martin (0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 K), and Bailey (3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) took care of the pitching duties. Cartersville is now just one win away from claiming the District 1 Little League title.

They play Rockmart in Game 3 of the championship series Monday night at 7pm on Rudy York Field.

If needed, Game 4 will be Tuesday and Game 5 Wednesday — both at Rudy York Field at 8:30pm.