Late rally not enough for Lady Canes in region loss

Trailing by seven runs going into their final frame Thursday night, the Lady Canes rallied for five runs and had the go-ahead run at the plate before coming up just short in a 10-8 Region 5-AAAA loss at Chapel Hill. The host Lady Panthers led 4-1 after four innings and 6-3 through six frames before posting four more runs in the sixth to take a 10-3 lead.

Cartersville took advantage of three hits and four walks in the top of the seventh to challenge late, but the Panthers got out of the threat with a groundout. Lady Canes’ pitcher Ava Perkins (6 IP, 10R, 8ER, 12H, 1BB, 6K) went the distance and suffered the loss in the circle.

Mikey Lewis (2 RBI) and Hope Short (RBI) paced the Cartersville offense with three hits each. Perkins and Elizabeth Nelson (RBI) followed with two hits apiece. Campbell Rogers (RBI), Lauren McElhaney, and AnnaKate McElhaney finished with one hit each. Kiley Arnold drove in a run with a seventh inning, bases loaded walk.

Chapel Hill improved to 4-8 overall and 4-1 in Region 5-AAAA. Cartersville (4-6, 3-4) will play three games in the Allatoona Buccaneer Bash Friday and Saturday at Hamilton Crossing Park. The Lady Canes play Ridgeland Friday at 5 p.m. and will face East Paulding and Spalding at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.

CASS / WOODLAND POSTPONED Following two extended lightning delays, the Region 7-AAAAA softball matchup between Woodland and Cass was postponed. Woodland was ahead 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning, but all stats from the game will be wiped clean and the two teams will start over on a to be determined date.