Bartow County LL softball dominant in win over Oconee County at state tourney

The Bartow County 11-12 Little League Softball team moved to 2-0 in the Georgia Little League State Tournament Sunday with a dominant 24-0 win over Oconee County American Little League.

The state tournament is being conducted at Hamilton Crossing Park in Cassville and is hosted by Bartow County Little League.

Playing as the visiting team, Bartow County scored six runs in the top of the first before ever playing defense.

BCLL added nine runs in the second, six in the third, and three more in the fourth on their way to a mercy, run-rule victory.

Madison Bentley and Haley Stiles were strong in the pitching circle for Bartow County. They each worked two innings and combined for a one-hitter.

Bentley yielded a hit, two walks, and struck out four. Stiles did not allow a base runner and struck out three.

Chloe Souders had two extra base hits — a double, a triple, and two RBI — to pace the locals’ offense. Ansley Hight had three RBI with a pair of hits that included a triple. Rachael Lee had two hits and two RBI. Maggie Pruitt finished with two hits and one RBI, and Stiles added two hits. Eryn Lee, Hallie Owens (RBI), Sadye Johnson (triple), Cassie Jones (4 RBI), and Bentley (RBI) had the other Bartow County hits.

Bartow also took advantage of Oconee County on the basepaths with 13 stolen bases. Rylee Hensley, Jones, Hight (2), Eryn Lee (4), Rachel Lee, Souders, Stiles, and Pruitt (2) all had stolen bases.

With the victory, Bartow County advances to play Tuesday night at 6pm against Vine-Ingle/Western Little League. Vine-Ingle/Western has wins over Habersham County, 7-1, and West Point, 13-1.

The winner Tuesday, locks up a spot in the championship round of the double-elimination state tournament on Thursday night. The loser must win an elimination game Wednesday night to get back to the finals. Plus, the loser will need two wins in the championship round against Tuesday night’s winner.