Athletes Beyond Bartow: Former Canes in pro action; collegiate teams close in on post season

ATHLETES BEYOND BARTOW is a weekly update on the college and pro athletes with local connections and their progress across the nation.

PRO BASEBALL

SAM HOWARD — Pittsburgh Pirates (9th year pro; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS) … Following a brief rehab assignment in Bradenton and an appearance with the Marauders, Howard was optioned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians by the Pirates for what is expected to be an extended rehab assignment. The southpaw was shut down toward the end of spring training due to a back strain. Last Tuesday, the 29-year-old recorded five outs against the Columbus Clippers yielding one earned run on one hit and one walk. Then Saturday, he worked a one-two-three seventh inning against Columbus with one strikeout.

CONNOR JUSTUS — Charleston Dirty Birds (7th year pro; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS) … in four starts at shortstop Thursday through Sunday against the Staten Island Ferry Hawks, Justus went 4-for-11 at the plate with four walks, a triple, four RBIs, and five runs scored as Charleston started the 2022 season 4-0. The Dirty Birds of the Triple-A Atlantic League have a home series with Long Island and their first road series at High Point this week.

ANTHONY SEIGLER — Tampa Tarpons (5th year pro; Cartersville HS) … saw action at catcher and as the Tarpons’ designated hitter in four games last week at the Clearwater Threshers. The 22-year-old was 2-for-10 at the plate with four walks, a double, and one stolen base. Tampa (6-9) was swept in a six-game series with Clearwater. The Tarpons host a six-game series Tuesday through Sunday with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

SOFTBALL

COLBI BALLARD — Shorter University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-2 last Wednesday in a 6-0 home loss to Mississippi College. She was also 0-for-2 in an 11-0 loss at home to Alabama-Huntsville. Shorter (6-41, 2-24 Gulf South Conference) has a three-game series at Auburn-Montgomery Friday and Saturday.

MORGAN COOPER — Columbus State University (Fr., Woodland HS) … entered as a pinch hitter and played shortstop in a pair of wins this past weekend over Georgia College. She was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. The Cougars (25-21, 14-7 Peach Belt Conference) have a doubleheader Wednesday at Valdosta State and play a three-game conference series at USC-Aiken Saturday and Sunday to finish the regular season.

PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-2 with one RBI last Tuesday in a home win over Fort Valley State. She was then 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and one RBI in a Saturday doubleheader sweep at Brevard College. Wesleyan (20-13, 9-7) begin play this week in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament.

ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished the week 5-for-10 at the plate with a double, three RBIs, a walk, and three runs scored as the Eagles went 4-0 in a home doubleheader with Johnson University (Tennessee) and at Columbia International Universitiy. Reinhardt (32-13, 22-6) begin the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament this week in Kingsport, Tennessee.

SARAH FOX — Agnes Scott College (Sr., Cass HS) … made a start in right field, but did not have an at-bat in a 4-2 win Saturday over LaGrange College. Agnes Scott finished the regular season 8-26 overall and 3-13 in the USA South Athletic Conference.

SADYE JOHNSON —University of North Georgia (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made a start at catcher last Wednesday and finished 1-for-2 at the plate with one RBI in a 4-2 Nighthawks’ loss at Emmanuel College. 16th-ranked UNG (35-15, 17-4 Peach Belt Conference) hosts a doubleheader Tuesday with Lincoln Memorial and a three-game conference series with Flagler College Saturday and Sunday.

LAUREN McELHANEY — University of West Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … in a three-game sweep of Mississippi College this past weekend and three starts at catcher, McElhaney was 3-for-6 with a pair of sacrifice hits and one run scored. The Wolves (14-29, 7-19 Gulf South Conference) have a final regular season series Friday and Saturday at University of Montevallo.

HOPE SHORT — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … in two games against Mississippi College and one against Alabama Huntsville this past week, Playing second base, Short was 1-for-8 with two walks. The Hawks (6-41, 2-24 Gulf South Conference) finish up the regular season Friday and Saturday in a three game conference series at Auburn-Montgomery.

HANNAH TODD — University of Houston (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … was credited with one pitching win and charge with one loss in a pair of home appearances over the weekend against UCF. She worked seven innings in the circle in the two games combined surrendering three earned runs on eight hits and four walks. The right hander struck out one. Houston (24-22-1, 8-6-1) plays a non-conference game at Louisiana-Lafayette Wednesday night and has a three game conference series at South Florida Friday through Sunday.

ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (So., Adairsville HS) … saw action in four of the Hawks five losses during the week to Mississippi College and Alabama-Huntsville. The shortstop was 1-for-6 with two walks and one run scored in three starts and was utilized as a pinch runner in a fourth game. The Hawks (6-41, 2-24 Gulf South Conference) finish up the regular season Friday and Saturday in a three game conference series at Auburn-Montgomery.

BASEBALL

MASON BARNETT — Auburn University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a five inning start last Tuesday with no decision in an eventual 10-inning 6-5 win by the Tigers. Barnett allowed one earned run on three hits with no walks while fanning eight against Alabama State. Auburn (29-12, 11-7 SEC) won all five games this week including a sweep of South Carolina. The Tigers play at Jacksonville State Tuesday and have a three game conference series at top-ranked Tennessee Friday through Sunday.

MICAH EARWOOD — Georgia State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a seventh inning appearance allowing one, unearned run on one hit in the Panthers’ 14-2 home loss to Louisiana-Lafayette Sunday afternoon. Georgia State (24-16, 10-8 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Georgia Tuesday night and has a three game conference series at Troy Friday through Sunday.

JAKE GOOCH — Central Alabama CC (So., Cartersville HS) … in a four-game home-and-home series with Southern Union State CC, Gooch was 3-for-13 with two walks, two RBIs, four runs scored, and one stolen base. The Trojans (19-26, 8-16 ACCC) split the four games with the Bison and had a makeup game Monday with Coastal Alabama North. CACC has a four game series this week with Lawson State.

KENNY JINKS — Shorter University (Jr., Woodland HS) … the southpaw made three relief appearances last week working a total of five innings at home against Columbus State and Alabama-Huntsville. Jinks allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks (one intentional) while striking out four. The Hawks (23-17, 14-12 Gulf South Conference) host Clark Atlanta Tuesday, play at Georgia Southwestern Wednesday, and travel to Auburn-Montgomery for a three game conference series Friday and Saturday.

BRYCEN JONES — University of West Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … worked a scoreless fifth inning last Tuesday with one strikeout in an 8-3 Wolves win at Georgia College. West Georgia (23-18, 12-14 Gulf South Conference) has a three game conference series Friday and Saturday at University of Montevallo.

MASON McBEE — Coastal Alabama South CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … recorded five outs in a relief appearance Saturday at Coastal Alabama North CC during a 10-0 loss. McBee allowed five runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk. He struck out one. Coastal Alabama South (22-22-1, 12-12 ACCC) has a conference home and home, four-game series Thursday and Saturday with Wallace State-Selma.

MATT SHOOK — Snead State CC (Fr., Cass HS) … was entered as a defensive substitution in center field last Tuesday in the Senators’ 13-5 win at Columbia State CC. Snead State (31-12, 15-9 TCCAA) has a four game home-and-home series Thursday and Saturday with Southern Union State CC.

STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Jr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice last Wednesday in a 7-5 home win over Carson-Newman. He then finished 5-for-10 with two doubles and two runs scored as the Mountain Lions swept a three game conference series at home against Lander. Young Harris (32-14, 16-8 Peach Belt) finishes up the regular season Friday through Sunday in a three game PBC series at Georgia Southwestern State.

PRESTON WELCHEL — Coastal Alabama South CC (So., Cartersville HS) … finished the week 4-for-9 including a home run, five walks, and three RBIs as the Sun Chiefs split a four game home-and-home series with Coastal Alabama North CC. Coastal South (22-22-1, 12-12 ACCC) plays a four game home-and-home series Thursday and Saturday with Wallace State-Selma.

COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (So., Cartersville HS) … had a pair of pinch hitting appearance and entered at catcher in games at Middle Georgia and at home against Columbia International this past week going 1-for-2 at the plate. The Grizzlies (34-12) host Brewton-Parker Tuesday, Erskine College Wednesday, and will host a three game series with USC Beaufort Friday and Saturday.

DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham Southern College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … earned his sixth and seventh saves of the season this past week in Panthers wins Tuesday at Emory University and at home Saturday against Berry College. Williams retired the final four outs of Tuesday’s 8-7 win yielding three earned runs on two hits and two hit batsmen. He struck out two. In Saturday’s 9-6 victory, the right hander worked two scoreless innings with a walk and a hit batsman. Birmingham Southern (31-7, 18-3), ranked No. 3 nationally in Division III, hosts Piedmont College Tuesday evening and will host the Southern Athletic Association conference tournament April 29-May 8.

JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10 and was hit by one pitch in three losses this past weekend at Georgia Southwestern State. The Jaguars (14-29, 6-19 Peach Belt Conference) host Erskine College Tuesday, Anderson University (SC) Wednesday, and a three game conference series with Georgia College Friday and Saturday.

ZACH WILSON — Penn State Greater Allegheny (So., Woodland HS) … saw action in four of his team’s five games last week going 1-for-10 with one walk and one RBI. Penn State Greater Allegheny finished the regular season 10-19 overall and 6-9 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference.

PRO BASKETBALL

A.J. MOSBY — Albany Patroons, The Basketball League; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS )… Mosby posted 27 points and added seven rebounds in a 117-104 road win April 22 at Reading. In the victory, Mosby shot 50% from inside the arc (4-for-8), 55.6% from the 3-point line (5-for-9) and 80% from the charity stripe (4-for-5).

GOLF

BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Fr., Cartersville HS) … finished tied for 42nd, with a five-over-par 215 across three rounds, in the SEC Championship April 20-22 at Sea Island Golf Club at St. Simons Island, where the Bulldogs wound up sixth in the stroke-play portion of the event. In match play, Georgia fell in the quarterfinals April 23 to No. 3 seed Florida by a 3-1-1 final score, with Brumlow coming up short by a 5&3 result.

TENNIS

EMILY SURCEY — Arkansas State University (Fr., Cass HS) … helped the Red Wolves secure the doubles point but fell in singles play, as Arkansas State dropped a hard-fought battle with Troy in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament. Facing off April 21 at Peachtree City Tennis Center, Surcey and Hunter Roper earned a 6-3 win on Line 3 doubles. However, Surcey dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision on Line 2 singles in the season-ending 4-2 defeat. Overall, the former Cass star completed the season 17-12 in singles action, with three unfinished matches, and went 16-11 in doubles play, with two unfinished matches.

CHRISTY TURNER — Coppin State University (Sr., Woodland HS) … Turner didn't drop a game on Line 4 singles in helping Coppin State complete a 7-0 sweep April 19 at Harford CC. Later in the week, Turner and the Eagles dropped a 5-2 decision April 21 at Loyola (Maryland).

TRACK AND FIELD

TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … placed eighth in the 200-meter dash (22.20 seconds) and 15th in the 400 (51.58 seconds) during the Appalachian Athletic Conference outdoor championship meet April 22-23 in Johnson City, Tennessee.

~~ Nicholas Sullivan of The Daily Tribune News contributed to this report.