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GHSA Playoffs: Cartersville Moves Past Flowery Branch to Advance in 4A

May 2, 2019
By Kyle Colletta
Georgia Staff

Cartersville, GA - 4A Sweet 16 action was underway Thursday night as the Canes of Cartersville (26-4) hosted the Falcons of Flowery Branch (16-12-2). The Canes took game one in a tight pitching duel by a score of 2-0 and took the series in another close contest by a score of 3-2, in game two.

In game one, both teams threw their D1-bound aces as 2019 Auburn recruit, Mason Barnett got the start for Cartersville, and 2020 Florida State commit Andrew Armstrong got the nod for Flowery Branch.

After four scoreless innings by both pitchers, Cartersville finally broke the tie in bottom of the 5th. After two HBP, Kolby Adams came through with a sharply hit single through the left-side that brought in the first run of the game for Cartersville. Following Adams, Josh Davis grounded out, which allowed a runner to score from second base to put the Canes up, 2-0.

Those two runs were all that Cartersville needed to preserve a win to start the 3 game series. While threatening with bases loaded in the seventh, Gage Morris came in to get the last out of the game for the Canes. Mason Barnett went 6.2IP, 0R, 11K, 1H to get the win on the mound. Armstrong, who had no room for error, went 6IP, allowing 2 runs, 2H, and striking out 9.

Game two saw another strong pitching matchup. Getting the start for Cartersville was Sewanee recruit, Logan Martin. 2020 Tennessee commit Zander Sechrist got the ball for game two for Flowery Branch.

Cartersville struck first again in game two. In the top of the third, Mason Barnett squeaked a ball through the infield to give the Canes a 1-0 lead. The Canes scored two more runs on the next at bat thanks to a 2 RBI single by Jordan Wilkie on an opposite-field line drive.

In the fifth, Grant Lackey came in clutch with a 2 RBI base hit over the second baseman’s head to cut the lead to one run.

Drama filled the bottom of the seventh as Flowery Branch posted another threat, with bases-loaded, and one out. Again, it was Gage Morris who got the Canes out of trouble, and in the win column for the second time in the evening. After a one out single, Cartersville went to turn a 4-6-3 double play that was ruled a dropped ball by the Canes’ shortstop. Following a single to load the bases, Morris struck out the next hitter and got the final Falcons out on a deep fly ball to right field.

The Canes will look to continue their 4A Championship push as they take on Northside High School out of Columbus on Wednesday.

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