Athletes Beyond Bartow: Howard opens MLB season in impressive fashion

Cartersville's Sam Howard made an impressive opening day appearance last Thursday by striking out the side in the sixth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates started the 2021 season with a victory at Wrigley Field over the Chicago Cubs.

Elsewhere, dozens of other athletes local to Cartersville and Bartow County continue to make their marks with collegiate programs across the country in baseball, basketball, softball, tennis, track and field, soccer, and football.

PRO BASEBALL

Sam Howard (Pittsburgh Pirates, 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS)… made an impressive opening day appearance in the sixth inning last Thursday as the Pirates opened 2021 with a victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Howard not only was credited with the pitching win, the southpaw struck out the meat of the Cubs’ order — Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Joc Pederson — in order on just 13 pitches. Sunday, the 28-year-old retired the final two outs of the sixth inning and did not allow a run although he walked two. He got out of the inning by inducing a comeback ground ball home-to-first double play. The Pirates eventually lost the game 4-3 dropping two of three in the series in Chicago.

Anthony Seigler (Tampa Tarpons, 4th-year pro; Cartersville HS)… the Yankees 2018 first round selection and 23rd overall pick in the MLB draft will begin the 2021 season with the organization’s restructured Low-Class A affiliate. The 21-year-old catcher, who has battled injury in his pro career, has a .216 batting average with one home run and 15 RBIs in 54 minor league games. He last played in 2019 with the Charleston, South Carolina RiverDogs. The Tampa Tarpons 120-game schedule will open at George Steinbrenner Stadium May 4 with a six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Levi Ayers - Young Harris (Jr., Cartersville HS)… worked a perfect seventh inning last Tuesday, inducing three fly outs, in the Mountain Lions’ 24-5 home win over Mars Hill College. Ayers then worked two and one-third scoreless innings Saturday to close out an 11-7 Peach Belt Conference win over Lander University. Ayers allowed one hit and struck out one retiring seven of eight batters faced. YHC (18-7, 16-5) hosts a three-game conference series with North Georgia Friday and Saturday.

Mason Barnett (Auburn, So., Cartersville HS)… walked the first batter he faced in a closer appearance Thursday at No. 1-ranked Arkansas, but then got a groundout double play and a fly out to earn his first save of the year in a 2-1 Tigers’ win. On Saturday, Barnett was inserted in the eighth inning of an eventual 6-5 extra innings loss. He worked an inning and two-thirds allowing one earned run on two hits with five walks. Auburn (12-13, 1-8 SEC) hosts Kennesaw State Tuesday and Mississippi State Friday through Sunday in a three-game conference series.

Clifton Dempsey (Toccoa Falls, Sr., Cartersville HS)… the Screaming Eagles’ shortstop was 4-for-14 with a double, five RBIs, three runs scored, a sacrifice fly, and three stolen bases in a weekend three game series at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Dempsey is hitting .323 through 25 games with a pair of home runs and 16 RBIs. Toccoa Falls (11-14) plays at Georgia Gwinnett Tuesday night and has a doubleheader Saturday at Trinity Baptist (Florida).

Jake Gooch (Central Alabama CC, Fr., Cartersville HS)… started all six games for the Trojans last week at first base and went 4-for-17 at the plate. He had two doubles, walked twice, scored three runs, drove in five, and stole a base. Through 34 games this season, Gooch is hitting .337 and 29 RBIs. Central Alabama won two games at Bevil State Tuesday, but was swept in a four-game conference series with Shelton State CC last Thursday and Saturday. The Trojans (18-19, 7-9 ACCC) host Chattahoochee Valley Tuesday afternoon and have a four game, conference home-and-home series Thursday and Saturday with Southern Union State.

Lane Griffith (West Georgia, Sr., Adairsville HS)… in four road games last week, Griffith was 5-for-14 with a double, two sacrifice hits, two runs scored, and three RBIs. The Wolves lost last Tuesday at Georgia College but won two of three at Mississippi College. West Georgia (12-15, 11-13 Gulf South Conference) hosts a three game conference series Saturday and Sunday with Union University (Tennessee).

Kenny Jinks (Shorter, So., Woodland HS)… pitched the ninth inning of the Hawks 10-3 win Friday over Christian Brothers. The southpaw gave up two earned runs on a single and a two-out, two-run homer. He also struck out two. Shorter swept the three-game series with CBU and improved to 19-8 overall and 16-8 in the Gulf South Conference. The Hawks play at Lee University this Friday and Saturday in another GSC series.

Brycen Jones (Central Alabama CC, Fr., Cartersville HS)… picked up a pitching win March 29 with a four and one-third inning relief appearance at Bevil State CC. In the 8-6 win, Jones entered in the second inning and did not allow a run on two hits and a walk. He struck out six facing 17 batters. Saturday, he worked an inning an one-third in the Trojans’ 12-4 home loss to Shelton State CC. The right-hander gave up one unearned run on one hit and two walks while fanning one. CACC (18-19, 7-9 ACCC) hosts Chattahoochee Valley CC Tuesday and plays a four-game series with Southern Union State CC Thursday and Saturday.

Logan Martin (Sewanee, Fr., Cartersville HS)… was inserted in the fourth inning and pitched the final six frames of the Tigers’ 4-0 home loss to Centre College last Saturday. Sewanee (1-6) is scheduled for four home games Saturday and Sunday against Berry College.

Logan Nelson (Truett McConnell, Fr., Cass HS)… had a double and drove in a run Friday in a seventh inning, pinch hitting appearance during a 15-5 Bears’ win over 13th-ranked Bryan College. TMU went on to sweep the three game Appalachian Athletic Conference series. Truett McConnell (16-14, 6-9) travels to Union College (Kentucky) for a conference doubleheader Wednesday and will play a three-game series at Kentucky Christian Friday and Saturday.

Harrison Osborn (Point, Jr., Cartersville HS)… worked the seventh inning of last Tuesday’s 21-3 loss to 6th-ranked Faulkner University. Osborn allowed one earned run on a walk and two hit batsmen. He struck out one. The Skyhawks (16-13, 10-7 AAC) travel to Tuskegee University Wednesday and host Montreat College (NC) Friday and Saturday in a three game conference series.

Steven Spell (Young Harris, So., Cass HS)… was inserted as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and played third base making one assist in the Mountain Lions’ 24-5 win over Mars Hill last Tuesday. He coaxed a bases loaded walk for one RBI in the seventh inning and later scored a run on a wild pitch. In the eighth inning he blasted a two-run home run over the right centerfield wall. Young Harris (18-7, 16-5 Peach Belt Conference) hosts North Georgia in the annual Battle of Blood Mountain three game conference series Friday and Saturday at Zell Miller Field.

Preston Welchel (Coastal Alabama - Bay Minette, Fr., Cartersville HS)… in a four-game series with Bishop State CC, the Sun Chief’s outfielder was 3-for-10 with a double, a walk, and four RBIs. Coastal-Bay Minette (16-23, 8-8 Alabama Community College Conference) won three of four games in the Bishop State series and plays a four-game series with Coastal Alabama-Monroeville this Thursday and Saturday.

Jordan Wilkie (Augusta, Fr., Cartersville HS)… was inserted defensively at third base Friday in the Jaguars’ 7-4 loss to visiting UNC-Pembroke. Wilkie singled in the tenth inning to go 1-for-2 at the plate. Augusta (4-20, 3-19 Peach Belt Conference) dropped all three games in the series and has now lost eight straight. The Jags travel to USC-Aiken Friday and Saturday for a three game conference series.

Zach Wilson (Penn State-Greater Allegheny, Fr., Woodland HS)… appeared in five games last week and made two starts at first base as his team went 4-1 for the week. Wilson was 1-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored. He also made a pitching appearance last Tuesday in a 14-4 loss to Penn State-Du Bois. He was entered in the fifth inning and faced three batters giving up three runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks. PSU-Greater Allegheny (7-4 PSU Athletic Conference) plays at Penn State-Fayette Saturday and hosts a doubleheader with the same team Sunday.

BASKETBALL

Jacquez Fountain (Albany Tech So., Cass HS) — Fountain received second-team all-region recognition from the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.

T.J. Horton (Georgia Highlands Fr., Cartersville HS) — Horton started the Chargers’ regular-season finale — a resounding 100-64 win last Tuesday at East Georgia. While he didn’t have the most efficient night from the floor (5-for-14), Horton managed to finish with 13 points, six rebounds and three steals.

FOOTBALL

Terry Berdin (Reinhardt Jr., Cartersville HS) — Berdin rushed twice for 7 total yards in a 42-14 blowout win over Kentucky Christian Saturday at home.

Bryce Burgess (Reinhardt Jr., Adairsville HS) — Burgess recorded a 2-yard carry on his only attempt during Saturday’s victory, which concluded a perfect 8-0 regular season for the Eagles.

Sean Holton (Davidson Sr., Cartersville HS) — Holton posted a solo tackle in a 31-25 victory Saturday at San Diego.

Jacob Potter (Kennesaw State Jr., Adairsville HS) — Potter, a long snapper, saw action in a 35-0 drubbing of Robert Morris Saturday in Kennesaw.

Jake Walker (Furman Sr., Cartersville native, Darlington HS) — Walker hauled in a 4-yard pass on his lone reception in a 26-14 loss Saturday at Mercer.

GOLF

Lindsey Bonner (York Sr., Cartersville HS) — Playing as an individual, Bonner shot a 91 to tie for 11th Monday at the Knights Women's Invitational at Cedarbrook Country Club int Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. York’s official five-person team rolled to a fourth successive win to open the season, placing 26 strokes ahead of its closest competition.

SOCCER

Havyn Isaac (Georgia Military So., Adairsville HS) — In Georgia Military’s season opener, Isaac posted three saves in a 1-0 defeat against Spartanburg Methodist Friday at home.

Russell Shealy (Syracuse R-So., Cartersville native, Darlington HS) — In a 1-0 win over Saint Francis last Tuesday at home, Shealy recorded two saves to earn the shutout.

SOFTBALL

Colbi Ballard (Shorter So., Cartersville HS) — Ballard was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice in last Friday’s 11-3 loss to Christian Brothers at home. Shorter dropped all three games in the Gulf South Conference series. The Hawks (4-22, 0-18) host Georgia College in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday and travel to Lee for a three-game GSC series Saturday and Sunday.

Bella Carnes (Georgia College Fr., Woodland HS) — Carnes saw action and scored a pair of runs in a 6-4 road win last Tuesday at Georgia Southwestern. Carnes was also 0-for-2 in a left field start, as the Bobcats lost 4-2 to UNC-Pembroke Saturday at home. Georgia College (5-19, 1-9 Peach Belt Conference) plays Wednesday at Shorter and has a conference doubleheader Sunday at Lander.

Skylar Chappell (Cottey College Fr., Woodland HS) — Chappell appeared in three of eight games last week for the Comets, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and one RBI. Cottey went 6-2 for the week, splitting doubleheaders with Avila (Missouri) and William Woods (Missouri), while sweeping Bacone (Oklahoma) and Crowley’s Ridge (Arkansas). The Comets (20-6) were set to play Tuesday at Columbia (Missouri) and Saturday against Health Sciences and Pharmacy (Missouri) at home.

Brianna Hill (Covenant Fr., Woodland HS) — Starting at first base, Hill was 1-for-4 with a walk in a doubleheader split Saturday at Maryville College. Covenant (15-13, 4-2 USA South Athletic Conference) plays Wednesday at Brevard College and entertains LaGrange College Saturday at home.

Hannah Todd (Kansas Sr., Cartersville HS) — Todd faced three batters, allowing a pair of hits, but retired the final out for the Jayhawks Thursday in a 14-0 loss to Oklahoma. Kansas dropped two of three games in the weekend series and is now 17-14 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks host Kansas City in a non-conference three-game series Friday and Saturday in Lawrence.

TENNIS

Blake Bottegal (Shorter Jr., Woodland HS) — Bottegal and his Line 3 doubles partner dropped a 6-1 decision against Delta State Saturday in Rome

Connor Gunnell (Shorter Fr., Woodland HS) — In the 7-0 loss to Delta State, Gunnell fell in the tightest match of the day — a 6-2, 7-5 result — on Line 6 singles.

Ashley Popham (Mercer Fr., Cartersville HS) — Popham cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 win on Line 6 singles in a 6-1 triumph over Florida A&M last Tuesday in Macon.

TRACK AND FIELD

Trevor Knowles (Albion Sr., Woodland HS) — Knowles placed third in the high jump and long jump during Albion’s first outdoor meet of the season last week at the Olivet Comet Invitational.