Canes top IMG Academy in consolation round at Showdown
In a back-and-forth battle with IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), Cartersville got a big home run from shortstop Devin Warner and another strong pitching performance from their staff for a 4-3 consolation win Saturday morning at the Perfect Game High School Showdown at LakePoint in Emerson.
Cartersville fell to the consolation portion of the tournament after a 6-4 loss to Providence (Jacksonville, FL) in the second round of the single-elimination championship bracket Friday afternoon.
The Stallions went on to win again Friday night to reach Saturday’s semifinals. Providence eliminated Etowah in the championship bracket quarterfinals, 8-4.
In Saturday morning’s game with IMG, the Canes trailed 1-0 but took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, 2-1.
Warner walked. Noah Daniel singled to send Warner around to third base, and J.P. Martin reached on a ground ball error that plated Warner for the first run. Jake Gooch followed one out later with a liner into right field to score Daniel for a 2-1 lead.
IMG scored two more runs in the fifth to regain a 3-2 advantage, but Cartersville responded with a two out rally courtesy of a 'boot and a bomb.'
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Anthony Seigler reached on an infield error and Warner sailed a line drive home run over the right field wall to give the Purple Hurricanes a 4-3 lead.
Tyler Esplin had two hits and one RBI for the Ascenders. Kendall Williams (5 IP, 4R, 1ER, 4H, 1BB, K) was handed the pitching loss although only one run against him was an earned run.
Levi Ayers picked up the pitching win for Cartersville with one inning of middle relief. He entered for the starting pitcher Martin (4 IP, 1ER, 2H, 3BB, 7K) and was the pitcher of record when the Canes added their go-ahead runs in the fifth. Spencer Dickey (0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K) closed out the final two frames for a save.
Cartersville (9-2) will continue consolation play in the tournament Saturday afternoon at LakePoint with a 1pm game against Winder-Barrow.
