Peachtree City forces winner-take-all game with Cartersville Little League (12U) Tuesday night for s
Peachtree City National Little League scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning Monday night to break open a 4-4 game on their way to a 6-4 victory over Cartersville Little League (12U) that forces a deciding state championship game Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in Peachtree City.
The loss for Cartersville was their first of the double-elimination tournament. They were 3-0 heading into the state championship round. Peachtree City (4-1) also has only one loss. It came to Cartersville last Saturday by an identical 6-4 score.
Peachtree City took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first Monday night on a two-run homerun.
Cartersville tied the game in the next half inning with a Jakiyon Porter single, a hit batsman, and a dropped third strike that allowed Kase Adams to reach safely. There were two passed balls and a wild pitch that contributed to the Cartersville runs.
Peachtree City regained the lead 4-2 in the bottom of the second inning on a pair of singles, a Cartersville infield error, and a fielder’s choice.
Again Cartersville knotted the score in the top of the third inning. Drake Carver popped solo home run to center field and Tyler Shelton followed with a walk. Shelton then moved up to second on a ground out by Chris Roper. He took third on a wild pitch and later scored Cartersville’s fourth run on another wild pitch.
The decisive runs for Peachtree City came in the bottom of the fourth.
A Cartersville infield error was followed by a double and a single that drove in two runs and gave Peachtree City a 6-4 lead.
Cartersville got one more runner in scoring position in the fifth inning, but could do no further damage.
Shelton (0.1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 1K) started on the mound for Cartersville and was relieved with one out in the first inning. Harrison Childers (4.2 IP, 4R, 1ER, 6H, 0BB, 6K) finished the game for Cartersville and was tagged with the pitching loss.
Carver had two hits including his homer to lead the Cartersville offense. Porter had the only other Cartersville base hit. Shelton and Trip Bradley each scored a run. Collin Fletcher stole a base.
The win by Peachtree City forces a winner-take-all finale’ to the 2017 Georgia Little League (12U) State Tournament. The two teams will square off again Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in Peachtree City.
The state tournament winner advances to the Little League Baseball Southeast Regional in Warner Robins August 4-9.
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.
