Hart County bats too much for Cartersville in state opener
Hart County Little League pounded out 16 hits on their way to an 18-4 opening round victory over Cartersville Little League at the Georgia 11/12 Little League State Tournament.
The state tournament is being held at Holland Park Youth Sports Complex in Athens.
Hart County, playing as the visitors, used an RBI double and a 2-run homer in the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead, but Cartersville responded with a pair of runs of their own. Ethan Wolfe walked to open the inning and Christian Martin drove him in with a 2-run blast over the right field wall.
That would be as close as Cartersville would come. Hart County added two runs in both the second and third innings to extend their lead to 7-2. They added four more runs in the fourth and closed out the game with a seven-run top of the fifth.
Matthew Surrett hit a solo homerun in the third inning for Cartersville and Nick Bailey singled home Jackson Norris in the fourth for Cartersville’s other runs. Hart County out hit Cartersville 16-5 in the contest and played error free.
Norris suffered the pitching loss for Cartersville in two innings of work. He allowed nine hits, no walks, and struck out a pair. Micah Earwood, Bailey, and Martin also spent time on the mound.
In other action, Northern Columbus edged Warner Robins American West 3-2; Smyrna held off Elbert County 12-10; and Athens routed Midway Heights 16-1.
The tournament continues Sunday. Elbert County plays Warner Robins American West and Peachtree City takes on Northern Columbus. Both games are scheduled for 1pm starts on the two fields at Holland Park.
Cartersville returns to action Monday at 8pm in an elimination game against the Elbert/Warner Robins winner.
Other games Monday include Athens against the Peachtree City/Northern Columbus winner; Hart County against Smyrna; and the Peachtree City/Northern Columbus loser against Midway Heights in an elimination game. The double-elimination tournament continues through Friday, July 31 with an ‘if needed’ game scheduled for Saturday morning.
