Athletes Beyond Bartow: College softball, tennis, track & field update
The 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' update for college softball, tennis, and track and field athletes for the week ending April 8.
SOFTBALL
SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF, Cass HS)… had a stellar showing for the Chargers in a midweek doubleheader against USC-Salkehatchie. She went 2-for-3 with three RBIs in each of the two wins. In the second game, she added two runs scored. GHC won the two games by a combined score of 28-2. The Chargers (24-19, 10-8) hosts Andrew College Saturday and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Sunday.
CASSIDY HOWREN — Reinhardt University (Sr., C, Adairsville HS)… finished 8-for-23 over Renihardt's eight games last week. She scored eight runs and six RBIs. The Eagles (24-20, 14-6) play at NAIA top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College Tuesday and host Columbia (SC) College Saturday.
SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Jr., C, Woodland HS)… had just one hit and one walk in 12 at bats, as LaGrange lost all four of its games over the past week. The Panthers (13-21, 9-5) play a doubleheader at Berry College Tuesday.
HANNAH KNAPP — Coastal Alabama CC (So., C, Adairsville HS)… went 3-for-6 with a double and an RBI in her two appearances over the past week. She saw action in one game apiece across Coastal Alabama's two doubleheaders. Coastal (17-27, 11-6) play at Coastal South Tuesday, host Enterprise State Thursday, and travel to Chattahoochee Valley Saturday.
KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (Sr., OF, Cartersville HS)… had an almost flawless showing in a three-game series with Rollins College over the weekend. She went 7-for-8 with a double, a triple, three runs scored and four driven in. She even drew two walks. Arguably, the only negative was that she did get caught stealing, making her 14-for-15 and ending her perfect mark in the department. ERU (27-12, 15-9) host Sunshine Conference foe Lynn University in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday.
ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)… started three games this past week — once against Jacksonville State and twice against Texas. She struggled early against the Gamecocks, lasting just 1 2/3 innings, but her offense picked her up in an eventual 11-10 victory. Yantis pitched stellar in her first outing against the Longhorns, allowing just one run on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts. However, Samford fell by a 1-0 score. She started the next day and understandably struggled to replicate her success, giving up four runs (three earned) over two-plus innings in a 4-0 defeat. Samford (12-29, 2-3) hosts Western Carolina in a conference series Saturday and Sunday.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Jr., Cartersville, GA; Laurel Springs Academy)… won her singles match in a non-conference victory over Northern Iowa on Friday. On Sunday, she dropped a three-setter in singles play to Toledo, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, but she teamed up with Victoria Sec for a 6-2 doubles triumph. It's the fourth time in as many MAC matchups that Gollhofer has fallen in Line 1 singles play but emerged victorious with Sec in doubles action. Ball State (8-9, 0-4) hosts Western Michigan Friday and Northern Illinois Sunday.
TRACK AND FIELD
MILES BEARDEN — Kansas State University (Sr., Cartersville, GA; Darlington HS)… finished fifth in the high jump at the Jim Click Shootout hosted by the University of Arizona over the weekend. Next for the Wildcats is the Texas Invitational in Austin, TX Friday and Saturday.
AUBREE COLE — Jacksonville State University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… took fifth in the 3000-meter run at the South Alabama Invitational on Saturday. The Gamecocks will compete in the Western Carolina University Benyon Classic Thursday through Saturday.
ANNA HIGHTOWER — Georgia Tech (Jr., Cartersville HS)… placed sixth in the high jump at the Spec Towns Invitational hosted by the University of Georgia over the weekend. Georgia Tech competes in the Auburn University Tiger Track Classic Friday and Saturday.
TREVOR KNOWLES — Albion College (Fr., Woodland HS)… Knowles and his 4x100 teammates took second, while he finished fourth and 11th, respectively, in the triple jump and high jump at the Marv Frye Invitational hosted by Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday. Next for the Britons is the Alma/Olivet Dual Meet.
BLAKE PERRY — Jacksonville State University (Sr., Cartersville HS)… placed fifth in the triple jump and seventh in the 100-meter hurdles on Saturday in Mobile. The Gamecocks will compete in the Western Carolina University Benyon Classic Thursday through Saturday.
Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News, contributed to this article.
