Athletes Beyond Bartow: Barnett makes his MLB debut, and collegiate sports begin their seasons

September 1, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Mason Barnett, a former standout pitcher from Cartersville High School, made his Major League Baseball debut this week, joining Anthony Seigler from the Canes at the Big League level. 

In other areas, college Fall sports have begun their seasons, with several local athletes making contributions.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Mason Barnett made his MLB debut on August 30 against the Texas Rangers.

MASON BARNETT — Oakland Athletics; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … called up by the Oakland A’s earlier in the week, Barnett made his Major League debut last Saturday against the visiting Texas Rangers. The 24-year-old right-hander went four-plus innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits, and was charged with the pitching loss in an eventual 9-3 loss. Barnett worked a quick 1-2-3 first inning on 12 pitches. In the second, however, he ran into some trouble. He allowed three hits in the frame, leading to three runs. He yielded an RBI double in the third inning and was lifted in the fifth following Wyatt Langford’s home run that gave the Rangers a 5-2 lead. Despite the outcome, it was a memorable night for Barnett, who had family members and friends seated behind the A’s dugout. After the game, he told reporter Martin Gallegos of Athletic.com, “I was super excited and super pumped. I feel like after the first inning, I settled in a little bit. I wish I could’ve made some better pitches when I needed to. Moving forward, I just need to make adjustments and go from there.” Barnett’s fastball maxed out at 97 mph in his first MLB appearance, and his fastball averaged 94.6 mph. He did not issue a walk and threw strikes on 46 of his 66 pitches. Before the call-up, he appeared in 25 games (23 starts) in his first Triple-A season at Las Vegas, Barnett was 6-2 with a 6.13 ERA. Entering the week, the Athletics (63-75) are in the cellar of the AL West. Oakland has three games at the St. Louis Cardinals through Wednesday and three at the Angels this weekend.

Anthony Seigler celebrates in the dugout on August 28.

ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers (Major League Baseball; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … made a start at third base August 28 at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks and went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored during a 9-8 win. He struck out in two other pinch-hitting appearances during the week and appeared at third base. The 26-year-old is now 12-for-59 (.203) in his MLB plate appearances since joining the Brewers at the beginning of July. He has five RBI and has scored six runs with an on-base percentage of .304. Milwaukee began the week with an 85-53 record, leading the Chicago Cubs by 6-½ games in the NL Central. They host the Phillies for three games through Wednesday and visit the Pirates for a three-game series over the weekend. 

MiLB

LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … completed a scoreless three-inning start last Thursday at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in his first pitching appearance since August 16. It was only his third appearance in August. The right-hand hurler scattered two hits, two walks, and hit a batter. He also fanned four. Martin received no decision in the eventual 3-2 road loss. For the season in 21 starts, he is 8-4 with a 3.62 ERA across 87 innings. He has 74 strikeouts. Quad Cities (71-55 overall) is 32-28 in the Midwest League’s second half standings and trailing division-leading Beloit by 1-½ games entering the final week of the regular season. The River Bandits host the Cedar Rapids Kernels for their final six games. They will need to win the second-half race to reach the postseason.

PGA TOUR AMERICAS

BUCK BRUMLOW — (1st year pro; University of Georgia; Cartersville HS) … fired rounds of 65-68-70-67 (14-under par) and tied for 44th place this past weekend at the CRMC Championship held at Craguns Legacy Course in Brainerd, Minnesota. Michael Brennan defeated Derek Hitchner in a playoff to win the event. The two players were tied after 72 holes at 26-under par. The 22-year-old Brumlow is currently 68th on the PGA Tour Americas Fortinet Cup points list with three events remaining. The Top 80 will have exempt status for the 16-event Latin America swing that begins next March, and the Top 10 will earn exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership. Up next on the schedule is the ATB Classic on September 11-14 at Northern Bear Golf Club in Alberta, Canada.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

JOHNATHAN CLINE — East Tennessee State University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … was a starter on the Buccaneers’ offensive line that helped produce 572 total yards in a 45-17 home win over Murray State. ETSU (1-0) visits Knoxville to face the University of Tennessee on Saturday.

CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … was 2-for-3 passing for 10 yards and had three rushing attempts for four yards in a 45-7 loss at Georgia. The Thundering Herd (0-1) hosts Missouri State on Saturday night.

TOKYO GORDON -- Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) ... made 10 total tackles (eight solo), including 1-½ for loss with one sack in games August 23 at Western Kentucky and at home this past Friday against UNLV. The Bearkats (0-2, 0-1) play at Hawaii on Saturday.

DEVIN HENDERSON — Liberty University (R-Fr., Cass HS) … had one tackle from his safety position in a 28-7 home win Saturday over Maine. The Flames (1-0) play at Jacksonville State University on Saturday afternoon.

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … was a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 421 total yards in a 23-3 home victory over Northwestern University. Tulane (1-0) travels to Mobile for a Saturday game at the University of South Alabama.

KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one rushing attempt for no yards last Thursday in the Gamecocks’ 17-10 loss at the University of Central Florida. Jax State (0-1) entertains Liberty University on Saturday.

SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … started at wide receiver and was targeted once with no receptions, but he had a 46-yard punt return from his own 7-yard line to the Albany 47 in the fourth quarter during a 34-7 Hawkeyes home win. Iowa (1-0) plays at Iowa State on Saturday afternoon.

DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … the transfer from Troy had one catch Saturday for four yards in the Nittany Lions’  46-11 home opener win over Nevada. Penn State (1-0) welcomes Florida International University on Saturday afternoon.

STEPHEN ROWSER — Morehouse College (So., Cartersville HS) … started at defensive back and had three tackles, including one solo, in a 45-9 loss to Johnson Smith University in the HBCU Classic in Boston. The Maroon Tigers (0-1) face Howard University on September 13 in East Rutherford, NJ.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … had one reception for 12 yards in the Bulldogs’ 45-7 home win this past Saturday over Marshall. Georgia (1-0) hosts Austin Peay on Saturday.

CROSS COUNTRY

TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (Jr., Woodland HS) … ran a personal best time of 16:41.71 and placed 48th last Friday at the Jacksonville State University Invitational in Oxford, Alabama. West Georgia was sixth in the 20-team race. The next race for the Wolves is the Southern Showcase in Huntsville on September 12.

VOLLEYBALL

AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (So., Cartersville HS) … in three team victories over Wittenberg University (OH), Transylvania University (KY), and Wartburg College (IA) at the Transylvania Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky, last Friday and Saturday, England saw action in five sets. She had two service aces against Transylvania. The Vikings (3-0) travel to Whitewater, Wisconsin, this weekend for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational.

VANESSA JOHNSON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 20 kills, five blocks, three digs, and two assists in a pair of straight sets losses on August 22 to Andrew College and Cleveland State CC. This past weekend, the Chargers dropped three-set losses to Coastal Alabama-South, Wallace State CC, and Cleveland State CC, but individual stat lines were not available. GHC (0-5, 0-1 GCAA) hosts Reinhardt University JV on Tuesday and travels to Cleveland State CC on Saturday.

MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … The Panthers finished 1-3 last Friday and Saturday at the McDowell Invitational in Atlanta, hosted by Emory University. LaGrange defeated Mississippi University for Women, but lost to St. Catherine University, LeTourneau University, and Oglethorpe University. She saw action in nine sets and totaled six aces and eight digs. LaGrange hosts Clark Atlanta University on Wednesday night and will play in the Huntingdon Tournament Friday and Saturday.

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … totaled seven kills and six digs across seven sets during the McDowell Invitational at Emory University. The Panthers (1-3) host Clark Atlanta University on Wednesday and travel to Montgomery on Friday and Saturday for the Huntingdon Tournament. LaGrange is scheduled to face Huntingdon College, Millsaps College, University of St. Thomas (TX), and Piedmont University.

SOCCER

ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … saw 17 minutes of pitch time as a defender in the Eagles’ 3-1 loss August 23 at Life University. Reinhardt (0-1) visits Bluefield University (WV) on Saturday.

MACI NICKLAS — Truett McConnell University (So., Cartersville HS) … entered as a reserve in wins over Georgia Gwinnett College and Faulkner University (AL) August 26 and 30. She totaled 28 minutes on the pitch. The Bears (2-0) host Southeastern University (FL) on Wednesday and Montreat College (NC) on Saturday.