Athletes Beyond Bartow: College football kicks off as the MiLB schedule draws to an end
The summer Minor League Baseball regular season enters its final days for the three local athletes from Cartersville, but the college football season is just getting started for 2018.
Anthony Seigler, the New York Yankees' top draft pick from Cartersville, has been shut down for the season after suffering a concussion. Sam Howard made his 19th start on the mound for the Rockies' organization, and Connor Justus continued his middle infield work for Double-A Mobile in the Angels' organization.
Meanwhile, at least four local athletes on college football rosters saw action in games this past week with the majority of college teams kicking off this week.
PRO BASEBALL
SAM HOWARD — Albuquerque Isotopes (5th yr. pro; LHP; Triple-A Pacific Coast League; Colorado Rockies organization; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… suffered his seventh loss of the season this past week in a four inning start against the Pacific Coast League South Division-leading El Paso Chihuahuas. El Paso went on to win the game last Wednesday, 7-2. The Cartersville lefty allowed six earned runs on eight hits and two walks in his 19th start of the year. Three of those hits were home runs. He struck out four. Howard, now 3-7 on the season, has a 5.46 ERA in 84 innings. He has 70 strikeouts and 31 walks. PCL hitters are batting .292 against him this season. The Isotopes (60-71) wrap up a four-game series against Reno Monday night, travel to Sacramento for a three-game set Tuesday through Thursday, and conclude the 2018 season at Reno September 1-3.
CONNOR JUSTUS — Mobile BayBears (3rd yr. pro; SS; Double-A Southern League; L.A. Angels organization; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… in three home games against the Mississippi Braves and three on the road at the Pensacola Wahoos, Justus was 2-for-20, scored one run, walked five times, and drove in a pair of runs. In 116 games split between Double-A Mobile and Advanced-A Inland Empire, Justus has a .224 batting average, six homers, 24 extra base hits, 44 RBI, and 62 walks for a .345 on-base percentage. Defensively, his fielding percentage stands at .955 with 20 errors in 440 total chances. He has been part of 58 double plays. Mobile (64-65 overall; 27-34 second half) wraps up the 2018 season by completing a five-game series at Pensacola Tuesday before hosting Birmingham for five games through Labor Day.
ANTHONY SEIGLER — Pulaski Yankees (1st yr. pro; C; Rookie Appalachian League; New York Yankees organization; Cartersville HS)… according to ESPN senior writer Keith Law, Seigler is done for the season with a concussion. He took a foul tip to the face mask last week. Seigler, this year’s first round pick for the Yankees, hit .266/.379/.342 (108 wRC+) with more walks (14.7%) than strikeouts (12.6%) in 24 games in his pro debut. Pulaski’s season ends in less than a week, so there is no reason to rush him back this season. The P-Yanks are 30-34 and in fourth place in the Appalachian League’s East Division.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Adairsville HS)… Playing in his first collegiate game, Burgess was credited with one tackle in the NAIA 2nd-ranked Eagles’ 31-21 surprise loss at Bethel University Thursday night in McKenzie, TN. Reinhardt (0-1) will look to bounce back in their home debut Saturday, September 8 as they host Georgetown (KY).
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Sr., LB, Cartersville HS)… recorded three tackle assists including a shared sack for a 2.5 yard loss Thursday night in McKenzie, TN, but the NAIA 2nd-ranked Eagles lost 31-21 at Bethel University in their season opener. RU (0-1) hosts Georgetown (KY) on Saturday, September 8.
HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Soph., OL, Woodland HS)… participated on the Skyhawks’ PAT team and was the back-up left guard in Point’s opening 17-5 loss at Ave Maria University (FL). Point (0-1) travels back to Deland, FL Saturday night to challenge the Stetson Hatters.
EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Soph., LB, Woodland HS)… had two solo tackles and two assisted tackles Saturday night including 1.5 that accounted for two yards in losses. The Rams lost, however, in their home opener to visiting Hawaii 43-34. CSU (0-1) plays rival Colorado this Friday in Denver in a game to be televised by CBS Sports Network.
SOCCER
BRIANNA BULLOCK -- Truett-McConnell University (Fr., Cass HS)... Bullock didn’t get the start in goal for the Bears’ season opener, but she did earn 14 minutes, 26 seconds of playing time in a 7-0 blowout win over Ohio Christian. She made one save in her nearly quarter of an hour between the posts. A trip to Middle Georgia State awaits Bullock and Co. today.
KATELYNN HARBEKE -- Life University (Sr., Cass HS)... Harbeke started in the midfield for Life in a season-opening, 5-1 defeat to Reinhardt last Wednesday. Harbeke and Adairsville alum Katelynn Lawhorn, who didn’t see pitch against Reinhardt, will return to action today at Bryan (Tennessee) College.
