Cartersville 10U Purple defeats Sumter County 4-0 at GRPA state tourney

Paul Gamble reached base three times and pitched four shutout innings to lead Cartersville 10U Purple to a 4-0 win over Sumter County at the GRPA 10U state tournament in Savannah. Gamble walked two and struck out five in his four innings of work on the mound. Drake Carver closed out the game on the bump with two shutout innings for the locals. Cartersville Purple pulled out the win, despite managing only two hits.

Gamble drew a base on balls and came around to score to give Cartersville a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Purple then used four walks, a pair of Sumter County passed balls, and a hit by Nicholas Kennedy to tally their other three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Hunter Kelly had the other Cartersville hit in the second inning.

Cartersville 10U Purple now advances to face the Clayton County A’s at 6pm Friday at Paulson Park in Savannah. The winner qualifies for the state finals without a loss. The loser must win an elimination game just to reach the finals of the double elimination tournament. Meanwhile, Cartersville Gray 10U stayed alive in the same event with a pair of wins Thursday (July 9). Cartersville Gray lost its opener in the tournament Wednesday to Savannah Thunder 8-6 forcing them into the losers' bracket. They staved off elimination later Wednesday night by edging Long County 7-5. In two elimination games Thursday, Gray beat the Clayton County Orioles 11-3 and the Savannah Hot Rods 7-0.

The tournament concludes on Saturday, July 11.