Bartow Co. 11-12 Little League softball team wins state tourney opener

The Bartow County 11-12 Little League Softball team jumped on Pioneer Little League early Saturday at the Georgia Little League Softball State Tournament and cruised to a 15-2, five inning victory in both teams’ opener at Hamilton Crossing Park in Cassville.

Bartow scored seven runs in the first two innings and that would be more than enough cushion for the pitching duo of Chloe Souders and Madison Bentley.

The two Bartow pitchers combined for a one-hitter. Souders worked two innings and did not allow a run, hit, or walk and recorded a pair of strikeouts. Bentley worked the final three innings in the circle, allowing a pair of runs on a hit and four walks.

The Bartow offense added four runs in the top of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 11-0 before PIoneer got on the board with their two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Bartow then added four more in the top of the fifth and shutout Pioneer in the frame for the 15-2 final score.

The Bartow offense totaled a dozen hits in the contest.

Rachael Lee had four hits that included a triple and two RBI. She also scored three runs.

Ansley Hight collected two hits and finished with four RBIs. Eryn Lee also had a pair of hits for Bartow and scored three runs.

Sayde Johnson (2 RBI, 4 runs scored), Hallie Owens, Souders (RBI, run scored), and Bentley (RBI, 2 runs scored) had the other Bartow County hits.

Maggie Pruitt scored a run and drove home two runs and Cassie Jones collected a walk and scored a run.

Pioneer slips to the elimination bracket Monday at 8pm where they will face Habersham County Little League. Vine-Ingle/Western Little League defeated Habersham Saturday, 7-1.

Bartow advances to play Oconee County American Little League Sunday afternoon at 4pm.

The 11-12 Georgia Little League State Tournament continues through Thursday, July 21 at Hamilton Crossing Park.