But Cartersville used an impressive 14-run second frame to slam close the books on the Ramblers Wednesday night in their high school baseball game.
Head coach Stuart Chester said the Canes made a lot of adjustments in their hitting to start the offensive explosion. "They made a lot of little changes, adjusting their stances, their approach and location of the ball."
Chester that is one of the offensive keys this season for his team, adjusting not only to pitching but even umpire calls during games.
The early comfortable lead came even before Cartersville had a chance to turn on its hitting machines, as the Canes benefited from a popup that somehow evaded the grasp of Ramblers' third baseman and put Ben Venters on first.
The crafty second baseman then drew a pitchout attempt that went awry and stretched it to a two-base error before parking on third, where he stayed until three bases on balls eventually pushed him across the plate to give the Canes a 1-0 lead.
Cartersville's first baseman Collin Bennett tacked on a second run in the bottom of the first when LaFayette starter Josh Morgan threw a wild pitch against designated hitter Asa Williams.
The Canes needed no such generosity in the bottom of the second, as Zack Ross opened the hit parade with a single to left field. Venters followed with a screaming double toward the center field wall that scored Ross. Venters crossed the plate his second time of the evening on a Conner Justus liner that went deep into right field and the Canes were up 4-0.
Fourteen batters and 12 runs later, the Canes made their second out of the frame and a strikeout finally stopped the onslaught.
During the second inning, Venters and four other Canes -- Ross, Justus, Luke Daniel and Bennett -- scored two runs each. Also crossing the plate in the second were Cory Collum, Trey Graves, Williams and Harris Battle.
Taylor Wilson also furnished a big part of the power surge as he doubled in two runs and chased LaFayette's Morgan in favor of Drew Pense.
Ben Dittmer did the mound work for Cartersville, allowing no hits through three innings of work in a game called early under the mercy rule.
Dittmer recorded five strikeouts, allowed no hits and walked three batters. The three bases on balls came in the top of the third inning, after Cartersville had commandeered home plate for more than half an hour during its scoring rampage.
Chester said the team is getting in some games now, and coaches are getting a better feel for its contributors.
The victory raises Cartersville's overall record to 3-2 and 3-0 in Region 7-AAA, while the Ramblers drop to 1-4 overall, 0-3 in the region.
The Canes next play today when they visit Cedartown in another region contest.