The Cartersville baseball team traveled to Sprayberry on Wednesday, February 27, and put up double digit runs for the second time in a row. After beating Villa Rica 12-0 on Monday, the Canes destroyed Sprayberry 15-2.

The Canes couldn’t get it going at the plate in the first two innings, but senior Logan Martin pitched well, throwing two strikeouts in the two innings. After catcher Cohen Wilbanks walked, second baseman Josh Davis hit a bomb that scored two. Davis’s second home run in two games went over the deep left field fence and onto the highway. After a single by third baseman Brant Smith, center fielder Preston Welchel hit a deep triple to score Smith. Two strikeouts by Logan Martin and pop-fly to Welchel ended the inning.

With two runners on base, shortstop Jordan Wilkie hit a single that scored one runner. After Wilkie stole second base and designated hitter Mason Barnett walked, Brant Smith came up to the plate with bases loaded. Smith drilled a double through the gap that scored two runners. Logan Martin’s day was over after throwing four strikeouts in three innings and allowing no runs. Coach Tucker sent in junior pitcher Hayden Davidson for his first pitch on varsity. The Canes continued to play well in the field, with Josh Davis throwing a runner out at first and two pop-fly’s.

With a 6-0 lead in the fifth, Cartersville found themselves in a familiar situation. With bases loaded and no outs, Cohen Wilbanks hit a double to score two runners. Three consecutive pop-outs ended the inning for the Canes’ bats. Davidson started the inning a bit shaky. He allowed a single from the first batter then walked the second. Davidson then caught a bunt that popped up in the air, right into his glove for the first out. After giving up another single that loaded the bases, senior Gage Morris came in to relieve him. Morris threw a strikeout for his first batter, but things went downhill. A ground ball to second baseman Josh Davis should have been the third out, but Davis couldn’t quite get a handle on the ball as the runners advanced and Sprayberry earned their first run. Morris then gave up a single that scored a second runner. A ground ball to Jordan Wilkie that was thrown to JP Martin at first base ended the inning.

With runners at second and third, Cohen Wilbanks hit a single that scored both runners. Senior Ian Inaba came out to the mound and had an impressive inning, throwing two strikeouts. Brant Smith caught a grounder at third and threw to JP Martin at first to end the inning.

With a 10-2 lead heading into the seventh inning, it was time for the reserves to come in. Cartersville’s back-ups hit well as the Canes scored five runs in the seventh. JP Martin was sent onto the mound to close the game. Martin ended the game with a bang, throwing three consecutive strikeouts.

All 22 players saw the field in the 15-2 win, with pitcher Logan Martin getting his first varsity win and sophomore Carter Owen getting his first varsity hit. The Canes move to 4-1 and resume play on Friday, as they take on Kennesaw Mountain in the Bartow County Tournament at Lake Point.