The Ware County Gators capped their run at the Battle at the Beach Tournament with a strong performance Saturday, February 21, 2026, defeating Cartersville 5 - 0 behind a masterful outing from Seth Suess.
Suess controlled the game from the start, limiting the Hurricanes to just three hits while keeping them off the scoreboard for the duration. Working quickly and efficiently, the Gator right-hander mixed his pitches well and leaned on solid defensive support to secure the complete-game shutout.
Ware County provided early run support in the opening frame when Walker Hudson drove in the game’s first run with a groundout. The Gators added to their advantage in the second inning as Blake Gunter delivered a single and Colt Cox followed with a run-scoring double to extend the lead.
The decisive push came in the third inning. With pressure on the defense, Collin Crawford laid down a sacrifice bunt that brought home another run and stretched the Ware County lead to 5-0 - a margin that proved more than enough with Suess dealing on the mound.
At the plate, the Gators totaled 11 hits. Hudson led the way with a 3 for 4 performance, while Gunter and Keaton Holloway each produced multi-hit efforts. Cox drove in two runs from the lower portion of the lineup, highlighting Ware County’s depth offensively. Defensively, the Gators turned a key double play to halt a Cartersville rally and maintain momentum.
Cartersville’s offense was limited to singles from David Vargas, Brayden Logan, and Brant Rutledge, but the Hurricanes were unable to generate sustained scoring threats against the Gator pitching and defense.
The win closes tournament play on a high note for Ware County as the Gators return home with momentum heading into a busy week ahead.
Up Next: Gator Baseball Schedule
Ware County Baseball - Week of 2/23/2026
Game Day Information
Tickets for all home varsity baseball games this week are $7.00 and may be purchased online at gofan.co or at the gate.
Ware County Athletics also reminds fans of the following game day expectations:
Parental supervision is required for all students attending events. Students should be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult while on campus.
The clear bag policy will be enforced at all home contests. Only approved clear bags will be permitted inside the facility to help ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all spectators.
Ware County looks forward to welcoming the Gator community back to the ballpark this week as the team continues its early-season schedule.
