Athletes Beyond Bartow: Barnett's start helps lift Auburn to regional title

Cartersville product Mason Barnett came through with a clutch pitching start Sunday against UCLA to help lift the Auburn Tigers to an NCAA Regional title. The right hand pitcher worked 5-1/3 shutout innings to earn the victory. The victory clinched a spot in the Super Regionals this weekend.

This week's edition also includes updates on three former Hurricanes in pro baseball while former Canes basketball standout A.J. Mosby and the Albany Patroons prepare to take on the Atlantic City Gambits in the second round of the TBL playoffs.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

MASON BARNETT — Auburn University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … started on the mound for the Tigers in their regional final Sunday night and held a 9-0 lead over UCLA through 5-1/3 innings before the game was halted at 10:42 p.m. due to weather concerns. The game resumed Monday with senior lefty Carson Skipper taking over the pitching duties. The Tigers held on to win 11-4 and advanced to this weekend’s Super Regionals. Barnett (3-2) struck out 10 of the 20 batters he faced Sunday and allowed only one hit — a leadoff double in the first inning — while keeping the Bruins off the scoreboard. He walked three but left each baserunner stranded. Auburn (40-19) will face the Oregon State/Vanderbilt winner in the Super Regionals.

PRO BASEBALL

SAM HOWARD — Toledo Mud Hens (9th yr. pro; Triple-A Detroit Tigers organization; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS) … retired all four batters he faced Sunday in the fourth and fifth innings but the Mud Hens lost at the Columbus Clippers, 5-4. The 29-year-old struck out two. The southpaw also faced five batters — retiring two by strikeout — in the fifth inning of last Thursday’s 15-11 loss at Columbus. Howard surrendered three earned runs on two walks and a hit. Toledo (25-27) is currently in seventh place in the Triple-A International League’s West Division. The Mud Hens host a six game series with the Iowa Cubs Tuesday through Sunday.

CONNOR JUSTUS — Charleston (WV) Dirty Birds (7th yr. pro; Independent Atlantic League; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS) … has a .303 batting average in 109 official at bats this season for the 17-23 Dirty Birds. The shortstop last appeared in a Charleston game on Saturday, May 28. The 27-year-old has two home runs and 18 RBIs this season. Defensively, he has a .954 fielding percentage in 124 total chances across 256 innings. The Dirty Birds are currently fourth in the Atlantic League’s South Division. Charleston hosts three game sets this week with Gastonia and Southern Maryland.

ANTHONY SEIGLER — Hudson Valley Renegades (5th yr. pro; High Class-A New York Yankees organization; Cartersville HS) … starting at either catcher or designated hitter last week in a series at the Aberdeen IronBirds, Seigler was 5-for-16 at the plate including seven walks, a home run, four RBIs, and two runs score. After hitting for a .237 average in 25 games and 76 official at bats this season in the Florida State League, the 22-year-old switch hitter is currently hitting .351 in 11 games and 37 official at bats with the High Class A Renegades. He also has two homers, a dozen walks, and eight RBIs since his return to Hudson Valley. The Renegades (24-26) are currently third in the South Atlantic League’s North Division.

PRO BASKETBALL

A.J. MOSBY — Albany Patroons (5th yr. pro; The Basketball League; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … After winning the regular season division title with a 20-3 record, Mosby and the Patroons will open the playoffs Tuesday in Game One of the Northeast Division finals at the Atlantic City Gambits. The Patroons will host Friday night and Saturday if needed. Atlantic City swept Syracuse in a first round best-of-three series. The Patroons were 3-0 against the Gambits during the regular season. Mosby appeared in 16 games for the Patroons during the regular season averaging 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.