Bartow 12U wins GRPA District 5 title; Bartow 10U #2 District 5 runner-up
Bartow County 12-and-under baseball all-stars needed both championship games Monday night, but captured the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 5 title at Westside Park in Whitfield County to advance to the state tournament July 11-15 at Effingham County.
Bartow 12U defeated Rome (10-8) and Rockmart (13-4) to earn a spot in the championship round without a loss in the double-elimination tournament.
After falling to Bartow 12U in the opening round, Rome won four straight elimination games to force an "if needed" championship game. Rome defeated Dalton (13-3), Whitfield County (4-1), and Rockmart (20-5) to earn a rematch with Bartow.
In game one, Bartow held a 6-2 lead, but failed to maintain it and lost to Rome 9-6. That forced a second title game Monday with Bartow once again turning the tables.
Bartow took a 3-1 lead after three innings, then plated six runs in the fourth to seal a 9-3 win and the district title.
Bartow County 12U plays its first game at the double-elimination GRPA 12U Traditional State Tournament on Wednesday, July 12 at 12 noon. They play the winner of Tuesday night's game between Effingham County and Ware County.
Bartow County 12U Roster:
Reece Alexander, Hayden Blalock, Dawson Craig, Todd Gaddy, Julian Herndon, Cooper Brown, Landon O'Neal, Mark Perdue, Andrew Stiles, Erich Wilburn, Caleb Wiley, and Mason Williams.
Bartow County 10-and-under #2 finished as GRPA District 5 runner-up Monday night following a 10-3 loss to Calhoun in the championship game. Bartow County #2 finished the tournament with a 3-2 record and both losses were to Calhoun.
Bartow County #2 won three games to reach the finals. They had wins over Rockmart (7-6), Cartersville #1 (8-5), and Cartersville #2 (12-7).
Calhoun advances to the double-elimination GRPA 10U State Tournament at Paulson Park in Savannah July 11-15. Calhoun plays the Clayton County/Camden County winner July 12 at 11am.
Bartow County #2 Roster: Brayden Butler, Jake Clowers, Jett Johnson, Malachi Linley, Isaiah Livsey, Hunter Lovett, Conner Lujan, Joshua McBroom, Robert Mitchell, Kaiden Pirkle, Aiden Ritchie, Righley Worthington.
Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, Bartow County Recreation Department, and Cartersville Recreation Department baseball results are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. Game capsules are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville - 410 Cherokee Place.
