Athletes Beyond Bartow: UFL and MiLB updates

May 27, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Athletes Beyond Bartow is a weekly review of contributions made by local competitors at the pro and college level.

UFL

VIC BEASLEY, JR. — Arlington Renegades (10th-yr. pro; Clemson; Adairsville HS) … made one solo tackle from his defensive end position this past Saturday as the Renegades won for the second time in nine games this season. Arlington defeated the playoff-bound St. Louis Battlehawks 36-22. The Renegades (2-7) have been eliminated from playoff contention and will finish their season on Sunday at the D.C. Defenders.

JORDAN FERGUSON — Memphis Showboats (2nd-yr. pro; Middle Tennessee State; Cartersville HS) … although he never played a down for the Purple Hurricanes, Ferguson graduated from Cartersville High School before starring at Middle Tennessee State University in college. He played his high school ball at St. Francis Academy and Norcross High School before graduating from Cartersville. Following his college career, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent but eventually landed with the UFL Showboats. Through Sunday’s 36-21 home loss to the D.C. Defenders, Ferguson has 39 tackles including four sacks, five for loss, and one fumble recovery in nine games. Memphis (1-8) hosts the Houston Roughnecks to finish the 2024 season on Sunday.

MiLB

MASON BARNETT — Northwest Arkansas Naturals (3rd-yr. pro; Kansas City Royals Double-A affiliate; Texas League; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made a four-inning start this past Saturday and was tagged with the pitching decision in a 9-0 loss to the Amarillo Sod Poodles. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up eight earned runs on 11 hits and one walk. He struck out four. Now 2-2, Barnett has a 6.26 ERA in eight starts and nine appearances across 41-⅔ innings. He has an 11:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Naturals (20-23) play a week-long series at the Tulsa Drillers starting Monday night.

LOGAN MARTIN — Columbia Fireflies (2nd-yr. pro; Kansas City Royals Single-A affiliate; Carolina League Kentucky; Cartersville HS) …. made a six-inning start but received no decision last Wednesday in the Fireflies' eventual 6-5 loss at the Delmarva Shorebirds. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three. He left the game trailing 2-0 but Columbia regained the lead the next inning only to lose that lead late. Martin (1-0) has a 3.72 ERA in 29 innings. He has appeared in seven games (five starts) and has one save. He has a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Fireflies (23-20) play a week-long series starting Monday night at the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.

ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (7th-yr. pro; NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; Eastern League; Cartersville HS) … the 24-year-old went 2-for-21 at the plate with one double and one run scored in six games last week at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Somerset won three of seven games at New Hampshire. The Patriots second baseman has a .189 batting average this season in 111 official at-bats with six RBI. Somerset (22-23) hosts six games starting on Tuesday with the Bowie BaySox.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … did not appear in this past Saturday’s opening game at the NAIA World Series but his Grizzlies (52-7) beat Indiana-Southeast 5-2 to advance in the national championship bracket that continues through this Friday. GGC faces Tennessee Wesleyan (41-16) on Monday night.