Bartow advances to state title game in JL tourney
by Staff Report
Jul 20, 2010 | 1253 views | 0 0 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Bartow All-Stars defeated Warner Robins American, 5-2, on Sunday to advance to the title game in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Junior League softball tournament being held in Columbus.

Bartow wasted little time gaining momentum, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Courtney Bailey singled and advanced to second base on a passed ball before pinch runner Jordan Cantrell scored on a two-out single by Bethany Ballard.

After being held scoreless in the second inning, Bartow added another run in the third as Allison Story drove in Bailey on a perfect squeeze bunt.

Bartow would score another run in the fifth as Ballard came home on a Kaleigh Liscio single, making it a 3-0 lead for Bartow.

Bailey, in the meantime, was cruising on the mound for Bartow. She had the Warner Robins batters off balance all day and was perfect through 3 2/3 innings before allowing a hit.

Bartow added two more runs in the sixth inning. Breanna Mahrt walked and advanced to third base. Bailey reached base on an error and took second, followed by Kelsi Holloway's single to drive in both runs for a 5-0 Bartow lead.

Warner Robins finally got something going in the seventh inning, scoring two runs before two pop outs and a grounder to the shortstop ended the game.

Bailey pitched all seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Bartow had 11 hits in the game. Holloway went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs, while Bailey, Ballard and Story each had two hits.

Bartow now waits to meet the winner of tonight's Columbus Northern-Warner Robins game for the state title.

Columbus and Warner Robins play at 6 p.m.

Bartow defeated Columbus, 21-7, in the two teams' matchup Saturday.

-- Jeff Shinall contributed to this article.