Former Cartersville High School pitcher, Adam Clark, worked seven innings in the championship game of the Association of Independent Institutions tournament as the Grizzlies advanced to the NAIA National Tournament this past week. At the peak of the season, there were 23 locals contributing in various programs around the country. Many of those players' seasons have now concluded. The weekly report for local baseball 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' includes update capsules for the college players that wrapped up their seasons in the past week or continue in D-I or post-season play. Michael Goss (UNC-Greensboro), Robert Harris (Troy University), Connor Justus (Georgia Tech), and Jo Jo Underwood (UNC-Greensboro) each have one more weekend, regular season conference series remaining before their respective conference tournaments begin the following week. Chaz Wilson (Columbus State University) is a relief pitcher with the Cougars who won the Peach Belt Conference regular season and conference tournament titles. CSU will host the Southeast Regional of the NCAA D-II Tournament May 19-22. Clark (Georgia Gwinnett College) along with Ty Fowler (Tennessee Wesleyan) are on teams in the NAIA National Tournament. The opening round begins at nine sites May 17. Meanwhile, Mason Robinson (Wallace State-Dothan CC) remains in contention in the Alabama Community College Conference tournament. Week ending May 16: ADAM CLARK — Georgia Gwinnett College (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . tossed seven innings in the finals of the Association of Independent Institutions tournament as the Grizzlies won the title May 10. Clark allowed a run on two hits and a walk. He struck out six to pick up the win. He is 6-1 on the year with a 3.24 ERA in 13 starts. He was pitched 66 and 2/3 innings and collected 47 strikeouts. Opponents have a .236 batting average against him in 2016. Georgia Gwinnett (55-4) has won 13 striaght and is hosting the 5-team Lawrenceville Bracket in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament May 17-20. BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Georgia Highlands CC (Soph., Cass HS) . . . went 2-for-11 with three walks and scored twice in the GCAA post-season tournament last week. The Chargers defeated Gordon State College in the opening round, but lost to Darton State and East Georgia State. Etheridge hit .278 in 56 games, scored 39 runs with 18 RBI and nine stolen bases. Georgia Highlands finished the season with a 28-31 record. TY FOWLER — Tennessee Wesleyan College (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . made a one inning relief appearance in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament May 11 in Kingsport, TN during a 16-7 win over Union College (KY).. He allowed three unearned runs off two hits and three walks. Fowler has made nine appearances for the Bulldogs, pitching 11 innings with a 2.45 ERA. Opponents have a .244 batting average against him. Tennessee Wesleyan (45-12) won five of six games in the tournament to capture the AAC title. The Bulldogs are the top seed at the NAIA Opening Round in Kingsport, TN May 17-20. MICHAEL GOSS — UNC-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 0-for-5 with a pair of walks and scored a run in a weekend Southern Conference series with Western Carolina. The Spartans dropped two of three games to the Catamounts and slipped to 36-17 overall and 14-7 in conference. Goss is hitting .316 on the year in 40 starts with three homers and 19 extra base hits. He has driven in 27 runs and stolen three bases. UNCG hosts SoCon co-leader, Mercer, May 19-21 in both teams’ final conference series prior to the Southern Conference Tournament in Greenville, SC May 24-29. ROBERT HARRIS — Troy University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . pitched the final inning of a 9-3 win at Georgia State May 14 as the Trojans swept a three-game series in Atlanta. Harris has worked 32 innings in 20 appearances. He has 30 strikeouts and a 6.19 ERA. Troy (30-23 overall, 15-12 Sun Belt Conference) hosts South Alabama for the final conference weekend of the season May 19-21. The Sun Belt Conference Tournament begins May 25 in San Marcos, TX. CONNOR JUSTUS — Georgia Tech (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 2-for-12 with one RBI and scored a run in a three game series over the weekend at Virginia. The Yellow Jackets’ shortstop has a .352 batting average and a .471 on-base percentage for the year that includes 14 doubles, three triples, six homers, 51 runs, and 36 RBI. Georgia Tech (33-18, 12-14 ACC) was 2-2 last week with a win over Savannah State and won one of three at Virginia. The 25th-ranked Jackets play Georgia at Turner Field May 17 and host Boston College May 19-21 in the final ACC regular season series. The Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament is in Durham, NC May 24-29. SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Fr., Adairsville HS) . . . went 1-for-8 with one RBI as the Cougars were knocked out of the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Tournament May 9-10 by Jackson State and Motlow State. McDermott hit .357 for the season in 48 games. He hit 12 home runs, scored 34 runs, and drove in 39. Cleveland State finished the year 30-21. CHRIS MORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . .the Chargers’ lefty pitched one inning against top-seeded Darton State in the GCAA tournament May 12. He yielded a pair of runs on two hits and two walks. He recorded one strikeout. Morton logged 7 and 2/3 innings across 10 relief appearances for the year. He had a 5.87 ERA with six strikeouts. Georgia Highlands (28-31) won one of three games at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament. MASON ROBINSON — Wallace State-Dothan CC (Soph., Woodland HS) . . . hitting .299 through 51 games for the Governors with a .375 on-base percentage. He has three homers and 23 extra base hits along with nine stolen bases. Wallace State-Dothan defeated Lawson State, Shelton State, and Calhoun College in the preliminary rounds of the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament before losing to Chattahoochee Valley May 16 in the double-elimination portion of the tournament. WSCC faces Calhoun College in an elimination game May 17 with the winner needing two wins over Chatt Valley for a conference title. JO JO UNDERWOOD — University of North Carolina-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . played in all three games of the Western Carolina series May 13-15 with one official at bat. He now has 27 appearances as a catcher, third baseman, or pinch hitter. The Spartans dropped two of three games to the Catamounts and slipped to 36-17 overall and 14-7 in conference. UNCG hosts SoCon co-leader, Mercer, May 19-21 in both teams’ final conference series prior to the Southern Conference Tournament in Greenville, SC May 24-29. Did we miss someone? If so, please let us know. Use the contact page of this web site or Email: bartowsportszone@comcast.net

Valerie Linley, who helped lead the Cass Lady Colonels to a Final Four appearance in 1994, brings the Destined To Succeed Basketball Camp to Excel Christian Academy May 23-May 27. The free camp is for boys and girls in Grades 3 through 8 and is being sponsored by The LaVette Insurance Group. The Emerson native played women’s basketball at Florida State from 1997-99 and was team co-captain as well as a two-time letter winner. She was a Team Community Leader at Florida State and was named to the ACC Top Six team and ACC honor roll in 1999. She played at Hiwassee Junior College prior to FSU in 1995-1997, where the point guard was a captain, the career assist leader, Defensive Player of the Year in 1997, and a Dick Vitale JUCO Preseason All-American. She was NJCAA All-Conference and All-Region in both 1996 and 1997. As a coach, Linley has served as an assistant at Florida State, head coach at Chiles (Tallahassee, FL) High School, and assistant at College of Charleston. She has served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader and earned a Master’s degree in Sports Administration from Florida State University in 2002. Third through fifth grade campers will meet each day, 8:30am to 12 noon. Sixth through eighth grade campers will meet each day from 1pm to 4:30pm. For more information, email DTOSMM@gmail.com —or— phone: 678-719-9003 Please also visit: www.destinedtosucceedmobilemission.webs.com

2016 Boys State Track and Field Championships Local results for Friday/ Saturday, May 13-14 Class 5A Boys 4x100 Meter Relay 9th — Cass — 42.58 (Laizon West, Dexter Wilkey, Ray Varnum, Terry Berdin, Malik Grimes) (Event winner: SW DeKalb, 41.18) Class 5A Boys 100 Meter Dash 7th — Terry Berdin — Cass — 11.13 prelim / 11.29 finals (Event winner: Terryon Cornwell, SW DeKalb, 10.45) Class 5A Boys 110 Meter Hurdles 15th — Ray Varnum — Cass — 15.25 (Event winner: Matt Moore, Union Grove, 14.18) Thursday’s field event results from Jefferson: Class 3A Discus Throw 3rd — Jayson Cantrell — Adairsville — 137-10 (Event winner: Donte Wilson, Jefferson, 153-00) Class 5A Pole Vault 3rd — Thomas Jolly — Woodland — 14-00 (Event winner: Michael Runyan, Starr’s Mill, 14-06) Class 5A Long Jump 3rd — Jarvis James — Woodland — 22-08 (Event winner: Denzel Harper, Stephenson, 22-10) Class 5A High Jump 9th — Trevor Knowles — Woodland — 5-10.00 (Event winner: Jamaine Chambers, Dutchtown, 6-04.00) Class 4A Long Jump 11th — Trey Creamer — Cartersville — 21-00.50 (Event winner: Marcus Cade, Thomson, 23-01.75) Class 5A Long Jump 11th — Ray Varnum — Cass — 21-04.00 (Event winner: Denzel Harper, Stephenson, 23-04.00) Class 5A Triple Jump 14th — Ray Varnum — Cass — 43-08 (Event winner: Rogerous Swain, Cedar Shoals, 47-03)

The 2016 season for the Georgia Highlands Chargers came to a close Friday morning in their third game of the GCAA tournament. The Chargers fell to East Georgia State, 7-3. In a game that was suspended from the night before after 7 and 1/2 innings, Georgia Highlands started Friday morning in the bottom of the eighth trailing 6-2 to East Georgia State. The Chargers, facing elimination in the loser’s bracket game of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association championship tournament managed a run in the eighth to narrow the margin to 6-3. Brandon Etheridge scored after walking to open the inning. He had moved to second on a wild pitch and crossed the plate on a ground ball error off the bat of Mitch Burger. East Georgia responded with a run in the top of the ninth and the Chargers went quietly in the ninth for a 7-3 final. Relief pitchers Hunter Bragg and Daniel Overstreet closed out the final two innings for starting and winning pitcher, Payton Phillips. Phillips went seven innings on Thursday night, allowing only two runs on six hits and two walks. Casey Collins (6 IP, 6R, 3ER, 5H, 3BB, 4K) was tagged with the loss for the Chargers. Colby Taylor and Blake Metivier worked shutout frames for GHC. Will Griffin yielded an unearned run on a pair of hits. Daniel Gooden had three hits including a double for the Chargers. Devin Bilardello finished with a pair of hits. Jonathan White (RBI), Trenton Nutter, and Clint Tonini had the other GHC hits. East Georgia State (27-28) advances in the loser’s bracket to face Gordon State Friday afternoon at 3:30pm. Only four teams now remain in the GCAA Tournament. The top two seeds, Darton State and South Georgia State are both unbeaten and play one another Friday at noon. Georgia Highlands’ season ends with a 28-31 mark.

Three local track and field athletes finished third in their respective events and classifications Thursday at the GHSA Boys State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson, GA Woodland High School pole vaulter, Thomas Jolly, finished third in the Class AAAAA finals. His vault of 14 feet, finished behind state winner Michael Runyan of Starr’s Mill who cleared 14 feet, six inches. Ben Runyan of Starr’s Mill also cleared 14 feet to place second. In one of the closest events of the day, Jarvis James of Woodland finished third in the Class AAAAA state long jump finals. James’ jump of 22 feet, eight inches was only two inches behind event winner Denzel Harper of Stephenson High School. Jaysen Robinson of North Springs placed second, only one-half inch behind Harper. Jayson Cantrell of Adairsville High School finished third in the Class AAA Discus finals with a throw of 137 feet, 10 inches. Donte Wilson of Jefferson won the state title. His throw of 153 feet edged Kearis Jackson of Peach County who threw 151 feet, three inches. 2016 Boys State Track and Field Championships Local results for Thursday, May 12 Class 3A Discus Throw 3rd — Jayson Cantrell — Adairsville — 137-10 (Event winner: Donte Wilson, Jefferson, 153-00) Class 5A Pole Vault 3rd — Thomas Jolly — Woodland — 14-00 (Event winner: Michael Runyan, Starr’s Mill, 14-06) Class 5A Long Jump 3rd — Jarvis James — Woodland — 22-08 (Event winner: Denzel Harper, Stephenson, 22-10) Class 5A High Jump 9th — Trevor Knowles — Woodland — 5-10.00 (Event winner: Jamaine Chambers, Dutchtown, 6-04.00) Class 4A Long Jump 11th — Trey Creamer — Cartersville — 21-00.50 (Event winner: Marcus Cade, Thomson, 23-01.75) Class 5A Long Jump 11th — Ray Varnum — Cass — 21-04.00 (Event winner: Denzel Harper, Stephenson, 23-04.00) Class 5A Triple Jump 14th — Ray Varnum — Cass — 43-08 (Event winner: Rogerous Swain, Cedar Shoals, 47-03) Terry Berdin (100 meter) and Ray Varnum (110 meter hurdles) of Cass will compete Friday in the state finals preliminaries in Jefferson. The Cass 4x100 meter relay team consisting of Laizon West, Dexter Wilkey, Ray Varnum, Terry Berdin, and alternate Malik Grimes will also compete on Friday in prelims.

The elimination game between Georgia Highlands and East Georgia State was suspended due to weather Thursday after 7 1/2 innings. When the game resumes Friday at 10am, Brandon Etheridge will be at the plate for the Chargers to lead off the bottom of the eighth with GHC trailing 6-2. Georgia Highlands won its opening game in the tournament Wednesday over Gordon State, 7-4. In the second round Thursday afternoon, GHC fell to host and top-seed Darton State, 6-1. The loss forced the Chargers into the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament and into the elimination game against East Georgia State. The winner of the GHC/East Georgia game plays another elimination game Friday at 3:30pm against Gordon State. The Highlanders survived an elimination game with ABAC, 10-2. The top two seeds from the regular season, Darton State and South Georgia State, remain unbeaten in the tournament and square off at noon Friday. The tournament championship game is Saturday with all games on the Darton State College campus in Albany, GA.

Three Darton State pitchers combined to scatter six Georgia Highlands’ hits as the top-seeded Cavaliers defeated the Chargers Thursday afternoon in Albany in second round action at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. Darton starting pitcher, Jeremy Beasley, completed seven innings to earn the pitching victory. Beasley allowed six hits and a walk, but only one run. He struck out seven. Rabon Martin and Brad Cammack worked a scoreless eighth and ninth on the mound for the Cavaliers and combined for three strikeouts. Georgia Highlands took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Drew Davis and Mitch Burger connected with back-to-back, two-out doubles. Darton State captured the lead for good, however, with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning and scored single runs in the fifth through eighth frames for a 6-1 final. The Cavaliers rapped out 13 hits in the contest. Leadoff hitter Kendall Herron finished with three hits for Darton State. John Cable, Tyler Morris, and Michael Huggins had two hits each for the Cavs. Cody Ilgenfritz hit a leadoff homer in the sixth inning and drove in another run with a sacrifice in the seventh inning. Besides the two early doubles, the Chargers managed only four more hits. Devin Bilardello, Daniel Gooden, Brandon Etheridge, and Brandon Bell had one hit apiece. Sam Sowerbrower (6 IP, 4ER, 11H, 4BB, 5K) was tagged with the pitching loss for GHC. Chris Morton (1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) and Dalton Isley (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB) pitched the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Darton State (38-18) advances to play the winner between East Georgia State and second-seeded South Georgia State on Friday at noon. Georgia Highlands (28-30) must now battle through the loser’s bracket. The Chargers will play the East Georgia State/South Georgia State loser in an elimination game Thursday night at 7pm. The GCAA/NJCAA District XVII Championship Tournament continues at Darton State in Albany with the title game Saturday at noon.

Daniel Gooden and Jonathan White combined for five RBI to help lead Georgia Highlands to a first round win at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament in Albany Wednesday. The Chargers defeated Gordon State, 7-4. GHC started quickly with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Brandon Bell, Brandon Etheridge, Nick Fink and Gooden opened the offense with four successive singles and White drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the third inning, the Chargers loaded the bases again with no outs. Fink reached on an error in front of walks to Gooden and White. Mitch Burger and Trenton Nutter followed with RBI groundouts to put Georgia Highlands ahead, 4-0. Gordon State scored a run in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 4-1, but the Chargers pushed their advantage back to 5-1 in the top of the fourth. Fink had the only hit in the inning, but a hit batsman and two walks plated a run. Gordon State made things interesting in the bottom of the fifth with three tallies that cut the GHC lead to 5-4. The Highlanders scored on a solo home run and then took advantage of two errors and an RBI double. The Chargers extended their lead in the top of the sixth on a two-run homer by Gooden that led to the 7-4 final score. Georgia Highlands relievers, Colby Taylor and Will Griffin kept Gordon State off the scoreboard through the final three innings to make starter, Tanner Thomson, the winning pitcher. Thomson (6 IP, 4R, 2ER, 4H, 4BB, 6K) scatter four hits and four walks while striking out six. Taylor (2 IP, 0R, 3K) was successful through the seventh and eighth innings, and Griffin (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1K) picked up a save. Tyler Holcombe was tagged with the pitching loss for Gordon State. Chase Suddith led the Highlanders offense with three hits that included a solo home run. Georgia Highlands (28-29) plays tournament host and top-seed, Darton State, Thursday at 12 noon in the second round of the double-elimination tournament.

Georgia Tech signee, Griffin Joliff, tossed a complete game, seven-hitter, and smacked a pair of home runs for four RBI to lead Buford to a 10-3 win Tuesday night enabling the Wolves to complete a Class 4A quarterfinal series sweep of Cartersville. Buford, the defending state champions, won the series opener earlier in the evening 6-5. (see game story link below) The series win also marks the second straight year the Wolves have eliminated the Canes in the state playoffs after Cartersville took a series from Buford two years prior. In Tuesday night's series clincher, Joliff was in control. He struck out eight and walked two in earning the pitching victory. Cartersville trailed 4-0 early, but narrowed the deficit with three runs in the second and third innings. Jacob Fowler drove in a run with a ground ball single that plated Parker Tidwell in the second inning. Zach Yancey also scored in the second on a wild pitch after reaching on a walk. Tidwell had singled to open the frame. Devin Warner hit his second post-season home run in the bottom of the third inning to make the score 4-3, but the Wolves responded by putting the game away in their next frame. Buford scored five runs in the top of the fourth on a walk, an error, two singles, a double, and a triple. The big blow was the bases loaded triple by Austin Wilhite. Anthony Seigler (5.2 IP, 10R, 8ER, 11H, 1BB, 5K) suffered the pitching loss for Cartersville. Mason Barnett (1.1 IP, 0R, 1BB, 2K) also took the rubber for the Canes. Brandon Marsh, twins Austin and Nick Wilhite, Dillon Lancaster, and Joliff combined for nine hits and nine RBI for the Wolves. Tidwell and Elliott Anderson both had two hits for the Canes. Carrington Evans and Fowler had the other hits along with Warner’s homer. Buford (29-3) advances to the Class AAAA semifinals to face the winner of the Eastside at St. Pius X series. Cartersville’s season concludes with a 19-13 mark. For the complete story on Game 1, please see: Buford holds off Canes' rally to take series opener

A furious last inning rally by Cartersville came up just short Tuesday evening at Buford in the opening game of their best-of-three GHSA Class AAAA quarterfinal series. Trailing 6-3 going to the top of the seventh, the Hurricanes rallied for two runs and had the tying run on third with one out. The Wolves’ Austin Wilhite entered on the mound, however, and recorded a pair of strikeouts to thwart the Cartersville comeback attempt for a 6-5 win. Buford took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a fielder's choice after Anderson walked the bases loaded. The Canes tied the game, 1-1, in the top of the third on an RBI groundout by Anthony Seigler. Anderson had doubled earlier in the frame and his courtesy runner, Seth Smith, scored on the groundout. Four straight hits to open the bottom of the third gave Buford a lead they would not relinquish. The Wolves plated three runs on three singles, a double, and a fielder's choice groundout to take a 4-1 advantage. Cartersville narrowed the lead to 4-3 in the top of the fifth on a Seigler sac fly and a RBI hit by Parker Tidwell, but the Wolves regained their three run advantage in the sixth. Austin Wilhite and Nick Wilhite opened Buford's sixth inning with singles and moved to second third on an error. Griffin Joliff then doubled to drive home the two runs for a 6-3 lead. The Canes threatened in the top of the seventh, but came up one run short. Anderson was hit by a pitch before Carrington Evans, Devin Warner, and Tidwell had three consecutive one-out singles that plated two runs in a 6-5 final score. Buford starter, Justin Glover, picked up the pitching victory. The University of Georgia signee went five innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and three walks. He fanned seven. Canes’ starter, Elliott Anderson, suffered the pitching loss. The Auburn signee went 5 and 2/3 innings, yielding six earned runs on seven hits and nine walks. He struck out eight. Joliff starred at the plate for the Wolves in Game 1. He walked twice and drove in three runs with a pair of doubles. Austin Wilhite and Nick Wilhite both contributed a pair of hits for Buford. Glover drove in two runs with a hit. Anderson had three hits and scored a run for the Canes’ offense. Tidwell drove in a run with two hits, and Zach Yancey finished with a pair of hits. Seigler drove in two runs with a groundout and a sacrifice fly. Warner drove in one run with a hit. Evans and Jacob Fowler also had hits for the Canes. Buford (28-3) and Cartersville play Game 2 of the series later Tuesday evening. Buford can advance to the state semifinals with a victory. Cartersville (19-12) seeks to extend the series to a rubber game on Wednesday. The series winner meets the winner of the Eastside at St. Pius X series in the Class AAAA Final Four.

The Cartersville baseball Hurricanes are in familiar territory in the GHSA Class AAAA quarterfinals and will travel to face a familiar foe Tuesday, the Buford Wolves. Both programs have strong baseball traditions and both have recent state titles. Cartersville (18-11) has swept its first two state playoff opponents — Redan and Thomson — to reach the Elite Eight of Class AAAA. The Canes have won six state titles (’01, ’02, ’03, ’08, and ’09, '13) since 2001 and have multiple deep runs in the state tournament during that span. Buford (27-3) is the defending Class AAAA champion and has swept Whitewater and Bainbridge to reach the 2016 quarterfinals. The Wolves also won state titles in 1977 and 2011 and were in the Final Four in 2005, 2006, and 2014. Both teams have relied on the strength of their pitching in the early rounds of the playoffs. The Canes got complete game pitching performances last week from both Elliott Anderson and Anthony Seigler against Thomson. Buford’s Justin Glover, a Georgia signee, tossed a no-hitter through four innings and struck out eight in the Wolves’ opening win last week. Then Georgia Tech signee, Griffin Jollif, struck out three and allowed only one hit in five innings for the Wolves’ series-clinching win. The best-of-three quarterfinal series begins with a doubleheader Tuesday (May 10) at 4:30pm at Gerald McQuaig Baseball Field in Buford City Park. A third game, if needed, will be on Wednesday — also at Buford. The survivor of the Cartersville/Buford series advances to the Class AAAA Final Four to play the winner of the Eastside at St. Pius X series. GHSA Class AAAA Quarterfinal pairings: May 10-11 Eastside at St. Pius X Cartersville at Buford Veterans at Woodward Academy Heritage-Catoosa at Locust Grove

Former Cartersville High School shortstop, Connor Justus, leads the 19th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Monday night in the rubber game of a three-game ACC series against the visiting 3rd-ranked Miami Hurricanes. The game is scheduled to televised by ESPNU at 7pm. While the D-I locals still have two weeks remaining in their regular seasons, the NCAA D-II, NCAA D-III, NAIA, and JUCO post-season tournaments have already begun. The weekly report for local baseball 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' includes update capsules for 23 players. PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS SAM HOWARD — Modesto Nuts (Cartersville HS) . . . the lefty with the Colorado Rockies’ California League affiliate made two starts last week — both at the Stockton Ports. Howard went 6 and 1/3 innings May 1 in a no-decision. In one of his best outings, he yielded only one earned run on four hits and three walks. On May 6, he made it only three innings allowing four earned runs on five hits and six walks in a 7-0 loss. For the year, the third-year pro has a 1-1 record in the advanced Class A league. He has pitched 29 and 2/3 innings with a 3.64 ERA. He has struck out 30 and allowed 18 walks. The Nuts are 12-18 and are 9 and 1/2 games back of the North Division leader, Visalia Rawhides. Based on the current rotation and schedule, Howard’s next start will fall during a home series against the High Desert Mavericks of the Texas Rangers organization. DONAVAN TATE — Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cartersville HS) . . . the 25-year-old, former first round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2009, is currently listed on the 7-day disabled list for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ affiliate in the Class A Advanced California League. GRANT DeBRUIN — Potomac Nationals (Adairsville HS) . . . the 25-year-old is in extended Spring Training with the Washington Nationals’ organization, but remains active in the organization. His MiLB status lists him as a non-rostered player with the advanced-Class A Nationals of the Carolina League. DALTON GEEKIE — Danville Braves (Georgia Highlands College) . . . after making 10 appearances with the Rome Braves, Geekie was assigned to the Rookie League, Danville Braves May 8. The 21-year-old RHP, worked 16 and 2/3 innings for Rome. He had a 2-1 record with one save and a 4.86 ERA with seven strikeouts in his stint with the Class A affiliate. COLLEGE PLAYERS BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Georgia Highlands CC (Soph., Cass HS) . . . went 3-for-15 with two doubles, two walks, two runs scored, and one RBI as the Chargers won one of four games with West Georgia Tech last week. The one win clinched a berth for GHC in the GCAA post-season tournament. Etheridge has a .283 batting average with 37 runs scored and 18 RBI through 53 games. Georgia Highlands (27-29) is the No. 5 seed and plays Gordon College in the opening round of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament that beings May 11 at Darton State in Albany, GA. TY FOWLER — Tennessee Wesleyan College (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . made a one inning appearance May 4 during a 10-6 win at Talladega College. He allowed a solo home run and struck out one. Fowler is 1-0 in 10 innings pitched for the 5th-ranked Bulldogs. He has made eight appearances with a 2.70 ERA. TWC, the regular season winner of the Appalachian Athletic Conference, has already qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. The Bulldogs (40-11) open the 2016 AAC tournament May 9 at 7pm against 8th-seeded, Bluefield College (VA). The conference tournament continues through Thursday, May 12 in Kingsport, TN. MICHAEL GOSS — UNC-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 3-for-9, scored two runs, walked once, was hit by a pitch, and stole a base, as the Spartans won two of three Southern Conference games at Wofford College May 6-8 to maintain their lead in the conference standings. Goss has a .338 batting average in 37 starts for UNCG. He has hit three home runs and has 27 RBI with a .431 on base percentage and a .528 slugging mark. He has 19 extra base hits. The Spartans (35-14, 13-5) have a two-game lead over Mercer with six conference games remaining that includes a regular season ending series at home against the Bears. UNC-Greensboro plays at UNC-Asheville May 11 and has a conference series at Western Carolina May 13-15. ROBERT HARRIS — Troy University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . worked the final two innings of a 6-2 home, conference loss to University of Louisiana-Monroe May 7. He allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out two. Harris has pitched 27 and 2/3 innings in 18 relief appearances. He has 28 strikeouts and carries a 5.53 ERA. Troy (27-21, 12-12 SunBelt Conference) plays at Auburn on May 10, has a home game with Mississippi State May 11, and plays a three-game, conference series at Georgia State May 13-15. BRADLEY HOOD — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . has made 13 appearances for 14 and 2/3 innings for the Chargers in 2016 with a 6.75 ERA. Georgia Highlands (27-29) is the No. 5 seed in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament that begins May 11 at Darton State in Albany, GA. The Chargers open the tournament against Gordon College. The tournament continues through May 14. CONNOR JUSTUS — Georgia Tech (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 2-for-3, was hit by a pitch, scored a run and drove in two in a 12-1 home, ACC win over visiting Miami Saturday (May 7). He was 1-for-4 with a walk Sunday in a 12-2 loss to the Hurricanes. The three-game series concludes on ESPNU Monday (May 9) from Russ Chandler Stadium in Atlanta at 7pm. The Yellow Jackets shortstop has a .371 batting average in 46 starts. He has a .491 on base percentage, six home runs, 35 RBI, 8 stolen bases, and a .941 fielding percentage. Georgia Tech (31-15, 11-11 ACC) host Savannah State May 10 and play an ACC series at Virginia May 13-15. SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Fr., Adairsville HS) . . .McDermott has a .369 batting average with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, and 34 runs scored through 46 games. CSCC (30-19 overall, 17-10 Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) enter their conference tournament at Columbia State CC as the 3rd-seed. Cleveland State plays Jackson State CC on Monday, May 9 in both team’s TCCAA tournament opener. CHRIS MORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . .the LHP has made eight appearances for the Chargers for a total of 5 and 2/3 innings with a 1.59 ERA. Georgia Highlands (27-29) is the No. 5 seed in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament that begins May 11 at Darton State in Albany, GA. The Chargers open the tournament against Gordon College. The tournament continues through May 14. MASON ROBINSON — Wallace State-Dothan CC (Soph., Woodland HS) . . .Robinson has a .303 batting average with three homers and 27 RBI through 47 games. He has scored 27 runs and has eight stolen bases. Wallace State-Dothan (31-20, 16-12) is fourth in the Alabama Community College Conference South Division and plays in the ACCC tournament May 13-18 in Ozark, AL. JO JO UNDERWOOD — University of North Carolina-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . had one at bat and saw time at catcher May 6 in a 12-3 loss at Wofford College. He has made 24 game appearances with a .154 batting average and three RBI. The Spartans (35-14, 13-5) have a two-game lead over Mercer with six conference games remaining that includes a regular season ending series at home against the Bears. UNC-Greensboro plays at UNC-Asheville May 11 and has a conference series at Western Carolina May 13-15. CHAZ WILSON — Columbus State University (Jr., Cass HS) . . .Wilson has made 14 relief appearances, working 19 and 1/3 innings with 17 strikeouts. He has a 5.59 ERA and opponents have a .197 batting average against him. Columbus State (39-11 overall, 23-7 PBC) was the Peach Belt Conference regular season champions and will be the top-seed at the eight-team Peach Belt Conference tournament May 11-14 in Florence, SC. AWAITING POTENTIAL POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT BID CLIFTON DEMPSEY — Maryville College (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . The Scots second baseman has a .331 batting average with 18 RBI in 43 games this season. The Scots (29-15) set a school record for wins in 2016 and await a potential at-large bid to the NCAA D3 Tournament. The field will be announced on Sunday, May 15. Although the Scots hold out hopes for additional post-season play, d3baseball.com favors Maryville College rival, LaGrange College, over the Scots as an at-large pick from the USA South Conference by the NCAA. COLLEGE SEASON CONCLUDED HARRISON HATFIELD — Shorter University (Soph, Cartersville HS) . . . played in 24 games, starting 11. He finished with a .195 batting average in 41 at bats. He had one double and five RBI. The middle infielder had a .965 fielding percentage in 57 total chances. The Hawks finished the season with a 17-32 overall record and were 9-24 in the Gulf South Conference. TRIPP JAMIESON — Univ. of the Cumberlands (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . played in 36 games and was a starter at first base or DH in 31 games. Jamieson had a .253 batting average in 99 at bats. He had nine extra base hits, including a pair of home runs and 19 RBI. He had a .986 fielding percentage in 69 total chances, committing only one error on the season. The Patriots finished the year with a 33-23 record overall and were 9-12 in the Mid-South Conference. CODY LEDBETTER — Young Harris College (Fr., Cass HS) . . . Made two appearances for YHC in 2016 pitching an inning and two-thirds. Ledbetter recorded an out in a shutout performance against conference foe, UNC-Pembroke, and also pitched in a non-conference game against Mars Hill. He finished with a 10.80 ERA and struck out one of the seven batters he faced. The Mountain Lions finished with a 12-37 record overall and were 6-23 in the Peach Belt Conference. HUNTER OSBORN — Reinhardt University (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . The right hand pitcher made 13 starts for the Eagles in 2016 and finished with a 6-5 record. He tossed one complete game and opponents hit .211 against him. He struck out 50 in 66 and 2/3 innings with a 3.51 ERA. Reinhardt was 29-25 overall and finished 10-17 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. TRISTON SMITH — Young Harris College (Soph., Adairsville HS) . . . Played in 34 games, starting 27 at shortstop in 2016. He finished with a .208 batting average in 106 at bats that included five doubles and four RBI. He had a .903 fielding percentage in 145 chances. The Mountain Lions finished with a 12-37 record overall and were 6-23 in the Peach Belt Conference. TYLER WILL — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . Made 11 relief appearances in 2016 for a total of 10 innings pitched. Will recorded one save. He struck out three and a 3.60 ERA. The Vikings finished 27-17 overall and 11-10 in the Southern Athletic Association. ASA WILLIAMS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . played in 16 games, starting 13 for the Eagles. He hit .189 in 37 at bats with a pair of doubles and six RBI. Had a .975 fielding percentage in 80 total chances. Reinhardt was 29-25 overall and finished 10-17 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.