Canes beat Villa Rica in home opener, 8-2

The Cartersville baseball Hurricanes opened the 2019 campaign Thursday night with an 8-2 home win over Villa Rica at Richard Bell Field. The Canes took an early 5-0 lead through the first three innings and never trailed as they out hit the visiting Wildcats, 11-4. Mason Barnett (3.2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2BB, 6K) started on the bump, did not give up a hit, and was credited with the pitching victory. Gage Morris (1.1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 4K) worked middle relief and Logan Martin (2 IP, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 3K) closed down the final two frames. Barnett had two hits, a walk, and two RBI to help pace the Cartersville offense. Jordan Wilkie and Kolby Adams (RBI) also added a pair of hits each. J.P. Martin had a double and two RBI. Ian Inaba doubled. Brant Smith (RBI), Preston Welchel, and Josh Davis contributed one hit each. Davis and Wilkie both swiped a base.

Kyle Hill had two hits and one RBI to lead the Wildcats. Noah Best (3 IP, 7R, 6ER, 10H, 1BB, 3K) and Johnny Bravy (3 IP, 1ER, 1H, 1BB, 4K) split the pitching duties for Villa Rica.

Cartersville (1-0) is scheduled to host Forsyth Central Saturday at 1 p.m.