The Cartersville Lady Canes won a dramatic extra-innings game Wednesday night to open the GHSA Class 5A State Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. In contrast, the volleyball team ended its season with a hard-fought five-set state semifinal loss.
In the Columbus Softball Complex, LaKiaya Banks launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Lady Canes a 4-3 win over Marist. The teams traded leads throughout regulation. Marist took an early 1-0 lead before Cartersville responded to take a 2-1 lead in the third. The War Eagles regained the lead with two runs in the fifth. Carder Brock then tied the game at three with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, setting up Banks’ decisive blast.
Banks finished with two hits and two stolen bases. Brock added the solo homer, and Allana Williams hit a single. Zoie Shiflett started and worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with five strikeouts. Presley Crabbe earned the win in relief with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out four. The victory improved Cartersville’s record to 31-2. The Lady Canes face North Oconee today at 2:45. Marist drops into an elimination game against Wayne County.
Meanwhile, the Lady Canes volleyball team fell to Blessed Trinity 25-18, 26-28, 29-31, 25-16, 15-12 in the GHSA Class 5A State Semifinals Wednesday at LakePoint Sports Champions Center in Emerson. The loss ended Cartersville’s season at 37-6 and avenged the Titans’ quarterfinal defeat to the Lady Canes a year ago.
Cartersville dropped the opening set but answered to win the second 28-26, then survived a marathon third set, 31-29, to lead 2-1. Blessed Trinity responded with a dominant fourth set and closed out the fifth. Amara Ejieke delivered key kills, including the third-set winner. Blakely Morris, Adelynn England, Holly Dufrene, and Emma Wall also made key contributions. Blessed Trinity advances to Saturday’s state championship match against Marist.
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