Waleska, GA-- In a must-win game, the Cartersville Cannons defeated the Waleska Wild Things 2-1 in game one of the Wild Card Series, forcing a winner-take-all game two on Wednesday.

A low-scoring affair saw the go-ahead run plated via a wild pitch in the top of the eighth inning that brought home Mason Moore, giving the Cannons a 2-1 lead.

The Wild Things threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning, ultimately coming up short with the winning run on base. With the bases loaded and two outs, the winning run represented by Jackson Bradfield on second, Coates Massey got CJ Robertson to pop up, preserving the Cannons’ victory.

In the Wild Things’ last regular season game, Robertson was the hero, walking off the Bucks, but could not replicate it on Monday.

Massey earned a two-inning save, giving up one hit, walking three batters and striking three out en route to allowing zero runs. Tanner Gee was credited with the win in his 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Wild Things’ James Tilley received the loss, giving up an earned run over 1.1 innings pitched.

The Wild Things will host the Cannons again on Wednesday at 7:05, the winner advancing to the semifinals to take on the Choccolocco Monsters in a three-game series.