Cartersville Little League (12U) to play for state championship Monday
The Cartersville Little League (12U) all-stars reached the championship round of the Georgia Little League State Tournament Saturday with a 6-4 victory over host team, Peachtree City National Little League.
The young Canes are now the only remaining undefeated team in the double-elimination state tournament with a 3-0 record.
Saturday’s win came in the completion of a suspended game that started Friday night. Cartersville led 2-1 when the game was halted Friday night. It was completed with a 3pm start on Saturday.
Cartersville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning Friday evening.
Collin Fletcher singled and came around to score on a Drake Carver RBI double. Carver moved up to third base on a passed ball and then scored on an RBI ground out by Chris Roper.
Peachtree City National answered with a single run in the bottom of the first inning. The host team utilized a single, a walk, a wild pitch, and a double-steal attempt to pick up their run. With runners at first and third, Cartersville catcher Carver gunned down a Peachtree City runner attempting to steal second, but the runner at third came across to score.
The two teams then battled through four scoreless innings and an overnight suspension of play before Cartersville extended its lead in the top of the sixth.
Jakiyon Porter opened the inning with a leadoff triple to center field and scored off an RBI single by Harrison Childers for a 3-1 lead. One out later, Paul Gamble doubled into right field and Childers stopped at third. Kace Adams then followed with a three-run blast over the center field wall and Cartersville held a 6-1 advantage.
Peachtree City did not go away easily however. A single, a walk, and a three run homer narrowed the Cartersville lead to 6-4 before pitcher Trip Bradley closed out the sixth with a pair of strikeouts and a pop up.
Tyler Shelton (3 IP, 1R, 0 ER, 1H, 1BB, 5K) started on the mound for Cartersville and earned the pitching victory. Bradley (3 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 5K) worked the final three frames and recorded a save.
Childers was 2-for-3 with a run scored and one RBI to help lead the Cartersville offense. Adams was 1-for-2 with his three-run home run. Carver (double, RBI), Fletcher, Porter (triple), and Gamble (double) had the other Cartersville hits.
Cartersville (3-0) awaits the winner of a Sunday elimination game between Peachtree City National and Dudley Little League. Those two teams will square off Sunday at 1pm with the winner needing to defeat Cartersville twice to win the tournament. Cartersville needs one more win to earn the state championship title.
Monday's championship round will begin at 6pm. If a second game is needed, it will follow at 8pm.
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.
