Bartow County Junior Little League outlasts Athens at state tournament
The Bartow County Junior Little League all-stars outlasted Athens Junior Little League Tuesday night 7-5 at the Georgia Junior Little League State Tournament at Clarke Central High School in Athens.
The win keeps Bartow alive in the double-elimination tournament that is now down to its final four teams.
Athens took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Bartow responded with two runs in the bottom of the opening frame. Athens tied the game with another tally in the top of the second inning, but Bartow took the lead for good with another run in the bottom of the second.
Bartow added two runs in the bottom of the fourth to push their advantage to 5-2, but Athens matched those two runs in the top of the fifth to make the score 5-4. Two more runs by Bartow in the bottom of the sixth gave the locals a 7-4 lead and Athens managed a single run in the top of the seventh for the 7-5 final score.
Trevor Collum (5 IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER) started on the mound and picked up the pitching victory for Bartow. T.J. Grimes (1.1 IP, 3H, 1ER) worked into the seventh inning and Jordan Jonathan (0.2 IP) closed out the final inning for a save. He retired the final two outs with a ground ball and a fly out.
Collum led Bartow at the plate with a pair of RBI singles. Jordan Gani also had a pair of hits. Grimes, Jayden Smith (RBI), and Jonathan (double) had the other Bartow hits. Patrick Shelley reached base three times by base on balls. Isaac Linley coaxed a pair of walks and Collin Eaton also reached base by walk.
Bartow now faces Elbert County Wednesday night at 6pm in another elimination game. Elbert County (1-1) defeated West Point Monday night 13-4 after falling to Bartow in both teams tournament opener Saturday, 4-3. The Bartow/Elbert winner advances to play Northern (Columbus) Thursday night. Northern fell to unbeaten Hart County Tuesday evening.
Bartow County Little League, Cartersville Little League, Bartow County Recreation Department, and Cartersville Recreation Department softball and baseball updates are provided by the respective leagues and recreation departments. The updates are presented on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports - Cartersville — 410 Cherokee Place.
