Behind Cohen Wilbanks’ strong six innings of work and three runs scored by Anthony Seigler, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes baseball team upended the Heritage Generals by a score of 10-2 to secure its spot in Monday’s championship against Jefferson.
The Generals scored first in the bottom of the first inning to grab an early 2-0 lead, but the Hurricanes offense would not be silenced long. In the top of the third inning, Cartersville started the comeback when Seigler and Josh Davis hit back-to-back home runs with two outs to tie the game at 2.
Heritage starter Tripp Church kept the Cartersville bats at bay until the top of the sixth inning, when Seigler was intentionally walked, bunted to third and scored on a single by Mason Barnett. Four more runs would score in that inning to give Cartersville a 7-2 lead entering the top of the seventh inning, which would also be a beneficial inning for the Canes.
Seigler led off with a single and would score along with Barnett on Jordan Wilkie’s double to extend the lead to 9-2. JP Martin then hit an infield single to third to chase home Gooch to give Cartersville a 10-2 lead.
Wilbanks allowed just five hits with five strikeouts in his six innings of work and gave way to Gage Morris in the seventh, who closed the door to send Cartersville to the championship on Monday.
Jefferson defeated Blessed Trinity in both games on Tuesday to advance and will be Cartersville’s opponent with a state championship on the line.