Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence shines in final preseason tune-up

Former Cartersville High School pitcher Sam Howard has been activated by the Pittsburgh Pirates and former Hurricanes' quarterback Trevor Lawrence had his best performance of the 2021 preseason.

PRO BASEBALL

SAM HOWARD — Pittsburgh Pirates (8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … the Pirates activated the southpaw Saturday and he made his first MLB appearance since July 9. Howard pitched the eighth inning in a 13-0 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. He gave up three earned runs on four hits and a walk including a two-run home run to Dylan Carlson. For the season, the 28-year-old is 2-2 in 39 appearances with a 6.46 ERA in 30.2 innings with 43 strikeouts. Pittsburgh (48-83) is fifth in the National League Central trailing the division-leading Brewers by 31 games.

CONNOR JUSTUS — Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (6th-year pro; Miami Marlins organization; Cartersville HS)… went 2-for-8 in starts Thursday and Sunday last week for the Shrimp at the Norfolk Tides. Splitting time between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville this season, the 26-year-old infielder has a .199 batting average in 211 official at bats. He has two home runs and 22 RBIs. Jacksonville (58-44) is in third place in the Triple-A East - Southeast Division trailing the first place Durham Bulls by seven games.

LUKE SCHILTZ - ACL Rangers (Texas Rangers organization; 3rd year pro; Cartersville native; Stoneman Douglas HS, FL). . . made his eighth appearance of the summer last Wednesday in a 19-1 ACL Rangers loss to the ACL Dodgers. Schiltz entered in the sixth inning with his team trailing 10-0. He pitched 2-1/3 innings allowing two earned runs on two hits and three walks, fanning one. For the season, the right handed pitcher has a 9.31 ERA in 9.2 innings. The ACL Rangers (21-22) are in tenth place in the 18-team rookie level league.

ANTHONY SEIGLER — Hudson Valley Renegades (4th-year pro; New York Yankees organization; Cartersville HS)… the 22-year-old, 2018 draft first round pick remains on the 7-day injured list and has not appeared in a game since August 5. For 2021, the switch hitter has a .219 batting average in 151 official at-bats. He has four home runs and 24 RBIs. Hudson Valley remains in first place in the High A East North Division. The Renegades (63-38) lead Aberdeen by 12 games and plays at the Greensboro Grasshoppers this week in a six-game series through Sunday.

PRO FOOTBALL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (1st-year pro; Cartersville HS) . . . Lawrence, who was named the Jags 2021 opening day starter at quarterback, completed 11 of 12 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns with a 154.5 passer rating Saturday in his final preseason tune-up. Jacksonville won at Dallas, 34-14. Lawrence threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Pharoah Cooper and a 4-yard toss to Laviska Shenault Jr. The No. 1 overall choice played into the second quarter with the Jaguars’ first unit while the Cowboys sat their starters and several key reserves. Lawrence left the game with 11:42 remaining in the second quarter. Jacksonville opens the season in two weeks against the Texans.

MILLER FORRISTALL — Tennessee Titans (1st-year pro; Cartersville HS) . . . saw action but did not catch a pass in the Titans’ 27-24 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears. Tennessee will finalize its 53-man roster Tuesday.