CEDARTOWN, GA — The Cedartown Bulldogs made an incredible comeback in the first game of Tuesday night’s double header against Calhoun. They rode that momentum and swept Calhoun for a berth in the GHSA Class 3A Final Four.
This will be Cedartown’s first trip to the Final Four in 22 years.
Game 1 recap:
Cedartown brought eight batters across the plate in the first inning alone, thanks to RBI singles by Walker Barrow, Dalton Prince, and Jack Haney.
Cedartown’s pitcher Dalton Prince lost control of things in the top of the 3rd, giving up 6 runs on 5 hits. Cedartown then got one run back in the bottom of the 3rd. Lefty Henley Hays came on in relief to minimize the damage, but ended up giving up 3 more runs in the fourth inning to Calhoun.
Cedartown fought back in the fourth and scored 4 runs, bringing the score within one run – 9-8.
The Bulldogs then gave up two more runs to Calhoun in the 7th, then Jack Haney saved the day and hit a bases clearing double tying the game up at 11-11.
The game was sent into extra innings and senior Brayden McCollum pitched a scoreless 8th and gave Cedartown another chance to win the game.
The boys from Cedartown came up to bat and loaded the bases with only one out and C.J. Robinson hit a bloop game winning single to shallow center field to knock in McCollum for the win.
Cedartown won the first game in 8 innings, 12-11.
Game 2 recap:
In game 2 Cedartown’s Jack Haney, who hit a bases clearing double in game 1, took the mound and went 5 1/3 innings, giving up only 1 run on 3 hits.
At the plate, the Bulldogs put up a solid 9 runs while their defense held Calhoun to just 1 run.
Miles Minge came on in relief and struck out the side in the bottom of the 7th to complete the series sweep and sending the Bulldogs to the prestigious Final Four. Cedartown won game 2 with a score of 9-1.
Cedartown will host the Final Four series on Monday against #6 Westminster.
