Cartersville, GA-- Facing elimination for the second time in the Sunbelt Playoffs, the No. 5 seed Cartersville Cannons live to see another day after defeating the No. 1 seed Choccolocco Monsters 2-1 in game two of the semifinals on Saturday night. 

After a 10-0 loss in game one, the Cannons got a necessary win, forcing a decisive game three on Monday night in Choccolocco. 

 Will Fincher began the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo home run. Brady McDevitt’s RBI double that scored Kensky Thomas in the seventh inning was enough to secure the victory. 

Both starters were phenomenal, with Cannons’ pitcher Danny Hershberger getting the win with 4.1 scoreless innings pitched, allowing only four hits. Monsters pitcher Howell Polk received the loss after he pitched five innings, allowing the solo blast to Fincher. His day finished with one earned run on four hits. 

The Monsters had a chance to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning but fell short. After scoring the team’s first run, the tying run stood on second, the go-ahead on first before Cannons closer Coates Massey struck out Taylor Harris to end the game. 

The series, now tied 1-1, heads back to Choccolocco for a win-or-go-home game three on Monday night. The winner will advance to the 2024 Sunbelt Baseball League Championship Series to face the No. 3 seed Atlanta Crackers.