Athletes Beyond Bartow: Howard, Justus continue to contribute at MLB Spring Training
Cartersville natives Sam Howard and Connor Justus continue to contribute with the major league Colorado Rockies and L.A. Angels during Spring Training games this past week. Meanwhile, former Cass wrestler Hunter Quinn won the NCWA National Championship in the 157-pound division.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING
SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (5th yr. pro; Georgia Southern Univ.; Cartersville HS)… pitched the sixth and seventh innings of last Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. Howard faced seven batters, allowed one hit, struck out two and recorded his first hold. Howard is now 1-0 this Spring with the major league Rockies. He has a 3.00 ERA in six innings pitched. He has walked three and fanned eight. Opposing batters are hitting .118 against him with a WHIP of 0.70. Colorado has a 6-9 record (excluding ties) through Sunday’s games in the Cactus League.
CONNOR JUSTUS — Los Angeles Angels (3rd year pro; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… entered last Friday’s game at shortstop and had one at bat in a 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He entered as a pinch runner, played shortstop and had one at bat last Tuesday in a 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks and came off the bench with one at bat in a 7-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds last Monday (March 5). Justus is 1-for-7 (.143 BA) with the major league club this Spring in six game appearances. Defensively, he has been perfect in 11 total chances across 21.1 innings — all at shortstop. The Angels are 7-11 in Cactus League play this Spring.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
BRANDON ALLEN — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF, Woodland HS)… started in left field, but went 0-for-2 in Wednesday’s home win over ABAC. The Chargers (17-7, 3-2 GCAA) were 3-1 for the week and play a four-game conference series this week with West Georgia Tech at Carrollton Tuesday and at LakePoint Friday and Saturday.
BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (Fr., 1B/DH, Cass HS)… came off the bench with a pinch hit RBI in Friday’s win at Augusta University and started at DH in Saturday’s loss to the Jaguars. YHC (10-11) won two of three games at Augusta to even their Peach Belt Conference record at 6-6. The Mountain Lions host Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday prior to traveling to Francis Marion University for a three-game conference set Friday through Sunday.
NOAH DANIEL — Reinhardt University (Fr., OF, Cartersville HS)… got a start in the outfield last Tuesday, but was 0-for-3 at the plate in a 9-6 home loss to Madonna (MI) University. He did record a putout in his only defensive chance. The Eagles (18-5, 6-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) were 4-1 for the week including a home conference sweep of Montreat College (NC). RU plays at Middle Georgia State Wednesday and will travel to Tennessee Wesleyan University Friday to begin a three-game AAC series that includes a Saturday doubleheader.
BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (Sr., OF/P, Cass HS)… went 1-for-6 with a walk in a home doubleheader loss last Wednesday with Saginaw Valley State University. He also took the mound for the second time this season in the second game loss. Etheridge faced 14 batters, allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks, and struck out three. In a three-game home weekend Conference Carolinas series with Emmanuel College, he was 3-for-9 including a solo homer and a double for two RBI. He scored three runs and walked three times in the series lifting his season batting average to .268 in 23 starts and 71 at bats. The Saints were 1-4 for the week salvaging the final game of the series with Emmanuel on Saturday. Limestone (11-12, 3-3) plays a non-conference game at Mars Hill University Tuesday before hosting Belmont Abbey College Friday and Saturday in a three-game conference series.
CODY JOHNSON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., RHP, Cass HS)… entered in the seventh inning and closed out a Chargers’ 14-1 win Wednesday over ABAC at LakePoint. Johnson (1-0) has now appeared in six games and has a 1.23 ERA in 7.1 innings with nine strikeouts. Georgia Highlands (17-7, 3-2 GCAA) plays at West Georgia Tech Tuesday and will complete the four-game conference series with the Golden Knights with a single game Friday and doubleheader on Saturday.
SEAN McDERMOTT — Mercer University (Jr., 1B/DH, Adairsville HS)… entered to play first base in the seventh inning of a 12-3 loss at Kansas State Saturday afternoon. He popped up to short in his only plate appearance. He had a ninth inning pinch hit appearance Sunday at Kansas State and popped up to second in a 13-6 loss. Mercer (12-5) hosts Georgia Southern Wednesday and Eastern Kentucky Friday through Sunday in a three-game series.
HARRISON OSBORN — Point University (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… improved to 3-0 as a starter last Wednesday as the Skyhawks defeated Talladega (AL) College 5-3 in a mid-week, non-conference tilt. Osborn went eight innings and scattered six hits and a walk for three, unearned runs and five strikeouts. In five appearances, Osborn now has a 3.18 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched. Point was 3-2 for the week including two conference wins over St. Andrews University (NC). The Skyhawks (15-7, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travel to Barbourville, KY for a three-game conference series Friday and Saturday with Union College.
SAM SEAMAN — Gordon State CC (Fr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… saw action as DH last Thursday in a 13-0 win over Emmanuel College JV. Seaman scored a run and drove in a run with a walk in the game. The Highlanders (15-10, 1-0 GCAA) play a four-game series this week with ABAC. The teams play in Tifton Tuesday and Gordon State will host in Barnesville Thursday and Saturday with a doubleheader.
TRISTIN SMITH — Young Harris College (R-Jr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… flied out to centerfield in a ninth inning pinch hit appearance Saturday at Augusta University during a 12-4 loss. YHC (10-11) won two of three games at Augusta to even their Peach Belt Conference record at 6-6. The Mountain Lions host Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday prior to traveling to Francis Marion University for a three-game conference series Friday through Sunday.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Sr., OF, Adairsville HS)… started all three games of the Mountain Lions’ Peach Belt Conference series at Augusta University Friday and Saturday where YHC won two of three. Washington was 2-for-10 in the series with a walk and a double. Both hits came in the middle game of the series. Young Harris (10-11, 6-6) entertains Lenoir-Rhyne University in a non-conference game Wednesday before traveling to Florence, SC for a three-game PBC series at Francis Marion University Friday through Sunday.
BASKETBALL
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Jr., G, Cartersville)… Francis Marion saw its season come to an end in a heartbreaking 75-72 loss to UNC Pembroke in the first round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional on Saturday. Davis scored 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the defeat. He added five rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block in 30 minutes.
A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… Mosby’s collegiate career came to a close in the first round of the SWAC Tournament last Tuesday when seventh-seeded Alcorn State fell to No. 2 seed Prairie View A&M. Mosby finished the night with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. He shot right at his ridiculous season averages, hitting 50 percent of his shots from the field (5 for 10) and 40 percent from deep (2 for 5).
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Emmanuel College (Sr., F, Excel Christian Acad.)… Robinson becomes the lone former Bartow County hooper still competing on the hardwood this season thanks in large part to his phenomenal performances this past week. In his two games this week, Robinson had 21 and 32 points, respectively. He shot a combined 13-of-19 from the floor, 3-of-4 from 3 and 24-of-25 from the foul line. He had eight rebounds in each game, while adding 12 total assists (against just one turnover), four blocks and one steal. Emmanuel College won games over Piedmont International and Warner to earn a No. 2 seed in the National Christian College Athletic Association national championship tournament. The Lions will face seventh-seeded College of the Ozarks in the first round at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.
GOLF
MAGGIE ASHMORE — Augusta University (Jr., Kingston, GA, Heritage Golf Acad.)… After a top-five finish in her previous tournament, Ashmore placed tied for 75th in the 95-player field at the Wildcat Invitational. As a team, Augusta tied with Denver for seventh in the 17-team event. Augusta will host the 3M Augusta Invitational this Friday through Sunday at Forest Hills Golf Club. This year's field includes Augusta, Central Arkansas, Columbia, Daytona State, Eastern Michigan, ETSU, Georgia, JMU, Memphis, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, Purdue, Southern Mississippi, Troy, and Virginia Tech.
HANNAH MAE DEEMS — Mercer University (Sr., Taylorsville, GA, Darlington HS)… Deems finished in a five-way tie for 47th in the Hurricane Invitational. The Bears placed ninth out of 13 teams at the event in Coral Gables, Florida. The Bears will play in the 3M Augusta Invitational this weekend.
SOFTBALL
SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF, Cass HS)… Gani only had three hits in 11 at bats over GHC's four games this past week, but she made her hits count. Her three-run triple essentially beat ABAC all on its own in a 3-1 win to open a 4-0 week. She had another triple, three sacrifices and three more RBIs over the final three games of the week. GHC (18-11, 6-2 GCAA) has road doubleheaders this weekend at East Georgia State CC Saturday and at South Georgia State CC Sunday.
CASSIDY HOWREN — Reinhardt University (Sr., C, Adairsville HS)… Howren had five hits, two walks and two runs scored over the past week, but her team dropped all seven games in which she saw action. Reinhardt (12-12, 2-0 AAC) did manage to win four other games during the week, finishing 4-1 in the NFCA Classic. The Eagles host Point University Tuesday and Saint Ambrose University (IA) Thursday before traveling to Milligan College (TN) Saturday and Union College (KY) Sunday.
SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Jr., C, Woodland HS)… Hodorff picked up four hits, drew four walks, scored twice and drove in a run over six games this past week. After a rough start to the season, LaGrange (7-13, 5-1) bounced back to win five of those six contests. The Panthers play at Maryville College (TN) Tuesday and travel to Macon to face Wesleyan Friday.
BRITTANY HUTH — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., UT, Cartersville HS)… Huth made four appearances as a pinch runner during the Chargers' perfect week. GHC (18-11, 6-2 GCAA) has road doubleheaders this weekend at East Georgia State CC Saturday and at South Georgia State CC Sunday.
KAILAH RAIN — Embry Riddle University (Sr., OF, Cartersville HS)… Rain went 7-for-18 over five games, as Embry-Riddle went 2-3 during the week. Along with seven hits, which included a double and a triple, she drove in five runs and scored twice. She also stole another base to stay perfect on the season at 8-for-8. Rain has a .354 batting average and 17 RBI through 23 starts. ERU (17-6, 9-3 Sunshine State Athletic Conference) hosts USC-Aiken Tuesday and entertains Florida Southern University Friday and Saturday in a three-game conference series.
BAILEY ROBINSON — West Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Adairsville HS)… Robinson saw her first action of the season this past week, appearing in all four games (all losses) for West Georgia Tech. She went 1-for-1 with a run in her first appearance, but she went 0-for-5 over the final three games. WGTCC (3-11, 0-6 GCAA) play at LaGrange College Thursday, at South Georgia State CC Saturday, and host East Georgia State CC Sunday.
ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)… Yantis went 1-1 over four appearances (two starts) during the previous week. She pitched a complete-game, five-inning shutout against Alabama State to pick up a win. She took the loss in a 4-1 defeat against Fordham, while also making uneven performances out of the bullpen against Fort Wayne and Boston College. The Bulldogs (5-20) host Mississippi State Tuesday and will face Belmont, Tennessee State, Rhode Island, and St. Bonaventure this weekend in Nashville at the Belmont Invitational.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Jr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Acad.)… Gollhofer spent the past week playing along Interstate 75, as Ball State visited Georgia during Spring Break. The Cardinals won by identical 6-1 scores over Kennesaw State (Tuesday) and Mercer (Wednesday). Gollhofer won a thrilling singles match against the Owls, 6-3, 5-7, 10-4. She and Lilya Hadab won both of their doubles matches during the week — 6-3 over KSU and 7-5 over Mercer. Gollhofer dropped her singles match against Mercer by a 6-3, 6-2 score. BSU (7-4) plays at University of Dayton Friday afternoon.
WRESTLING
HUNTER QUINN — Emmanuel College (Soph., Cass HS)… Quinn claimed the national championship for the 157-pound division in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships this past weekend in Allen, Texas. The tournament's No. 2 seed, Quinn cruised through the first four rounds of the 64-grappler bracket. He earned a tough 5-3 decision in the semifinals. He followed that up with an 8-3 decision over top-seeded Chad Simmons of The Apprentice School in the finals.
TRACK AND FIELD
Trevor Knowles -- Albion College (Fr., Woodland HS)... Knowles and his 4x400 relay teammates finished second at the Southern Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama.
Samantha Patterson -- Jacksonville State University (Sr., Woodland HS)... Patterson placed second in the pole vault, clearing 3.35 meters, in the Red Division as part of the JSU Gamecock Quad Invite.
Blake Perry -- Jacksonville State University (Sr., Cartersville HS)... Perry had two top-three finishes during the Red Division portion of the JSU Gamecock Quad Invite. She took second in the triple jump, leaping 11.40 meters, and third in the 100-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 15.14 seconds.
NOTE: Research compiled by Charles Wilson, Bartow Sports Zone; Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News; and Jason Greenberg, The Daily Tribune News
