It started rough, but the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes were able to put up five runs in the second inning of Game 3 against the Buford Wolves to cruise to a 7-5 victory on Tuesday. The Canes advance to their second straight championship game and their eighth appearance in the last 16 years. The victory gave head coach Stuart Chester his 500th win with the Canes.
Jack Mayo got the call to start Game 3, but he allowed three earned runs and did not escape the second inning. To relieve Mayo, came Lane Wilson, who has had an excellent postseason and drove in two runs. Garrett Rutledge came in to pitch the seventh and recorded the save.
Once again the offense came through for Cartersville, which found itself in a 3-0 hole in the second inning. Cartersville capitalized on walks and Brent Arnold hit a bases-clearing triple in the second, which gave Cartersville a 5-3 lead.
Cartersville will host to the state championship game on Saturday against Blessed Trinity, which includes a doubleheader. Should it be necessary, Game 3 of the championship will be played on Monday. Game 1 will start at 3:00 EST. Chester will continue his suspension during Game 1, due to the GHSA not reversing the decision. Stay tuned to AM 1450 WBHF for more.