Wolves struggle vs. Canes at State Mutual Stadium

Rome is unable to get its offense going against a quality Cartersville squad.

Effort clashed with stamina on Saturday as the Rome High baseball team fought to keep Cartersville in check at State Mutual Stadium but came up on the losing end of the 7-0 final.

The loss ended a stretch of four games in the span of five days for the Wolves, who will try to pull themselves up Monday when they host Villa Rica at Legion Field.

“We played well defensively. We threw the ball well,” Rome coach Michael Dougherty said. “But offensively, we’ve just been inefficient for three games now. We get some guys on and can’t get them around to score.”

The non-region game against the Hurricanes was part of the Rome Braves Invitational, which saw six area high school teams compete at the home of the Atlanta Braves’ Class A minor league affiliate.

Cartersville (12-3) scored a run in the first and fifth innings, with Rome’s pitching and fielding mostly keeping the Canes in check. But a five-run seventh expanded their lead.

The Wolves’ best chance to score came in the third when a sac bunt by Garrett Howell put runners on second and third with one out.

But Xavier Roberts hit a liner right to the shortstop, who competed the unassisted double play with a toss to third base.

Rome (8-8) recorded just two hits in the game, with Knox Kadum starting on the mound and striking out four in four innings of work.

Gordon Lee 18, Darlington 0

Gordon Lee scored seven runs in the first inning Saturday and didn’t slow down much afterward as it rolled to an 18-0 win against Darlington in the second game of the Rome Braves Invitational.

The Region 6A-A game ended after four innings via mercy rule.

Darlington (6-7, 4-3 6A-A) got a hit from both Nick Mauer and Sam Hunt, but that’s all Gordon Lee pitcher Austin Thompson would allow.

The Trojans (10-3, 5-0) were led offensively by designated hitter Chaney Rogers, who had three hits, a walk, two RBIs and four runs scored. Kobie Cowan recorded two hits and three runs scored, while Dylan Minghini recorded two hits with two RBIs.

The two teams will face off again Tuesday, this time in Chickamauga.

Jeremy Stewart / Rome News-Tribune Rome High’s Garrett Howell reaches out for a bunt during a game against Cartersville on Saturday at State Mutual Stadium. The game was part of the Rome Braves Invitational.

Jeremy Stewart / Rome News-Tribune Players from both Rome High and Cartersville greet each other on the field following their game in the Rome Braves Invitational on Saturday at State Mutual Stadium. Cartersville won the game 7-0.

Photos By Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune ABOVE: Brielle Griffin (left) listens to her cousin, Rome High player Jakolbi Griffin, during Rome’s game against Cartersville on Saturday. LEFT: Darlington’s Kane Popham is greeted by his teammates as he returns to the home dugout following an at-bat...