Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates on locals contributing in the pros and college

Athletes Beyond Bartow updates for pro and college contributors across the nation.

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XFL

VIC BEASLEY — Vegas Vipers (9th yr., pro; Clemson; Adairsville HS) … made three tackles last Saturday night in the Vipers’ 29-6 home loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks. Vegas (1-5) remains in fourth place in the XFL’s North Division and hosts the San Antonio Brahmas Saturday afternoon.

PRO BASKETBALL

ASHTON HAGANS — Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League; 3rd yr. pro; Cartersville native, University of Kentucky, Newton HS) … saw action last Tuesday scoring six points with two assists, two rebounds, and one steal in a loss to the Capital City Go-Go. He was then inactive as the Swarm split home games Friday and Saturday with Raptors 905. Greensboro (11-21) finished in 12th place in the NBA G League’s 15-team Eastern Conference.

A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (NBL-Canada; 6th-yr. pro; Alcorn State University; Cartersville HS) … scored 25 points with four rebounds and three assists last Wednesday in The Five’s 134-131 win at the KW Titans. First place Sudbury (16-4) hosts the Titans Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

TENNIS

EMILY BUSH — Young Harris College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … won her team’s only point in a 6-1 Mountain Lions’ loss at Lander University. Her singles win came on Line 2 with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 victory. She and her partner Catarina Marcko Ferreira lost their Line 3 doubles match, 6-2. YHC (6-8, 0-1 Peach Belt Conference) plays at Georgia Southwestern State Thursday and will host Flagler College Sunday. Both are PBC matches.

CONNOR GUNNELL — Shorter University (Jr., Woodland HS) … in a 5-2 team loss at the University of Montevallo, Gunnell lost his Line 5 singles match 6-0, 6-0, and dropped a Line 2 doubles match with partner Yike Liu, 6-3.

EMILY SURCEY — Mississippi State University (So., Cass HS) … earned the Bulldogs' only team point Sunday in a 6-1 loss to visiting 26th-ranked South Carolina. Surcey won her Line 6 singles match 6-2, 6-1. Last Friday in a 5-2 team loss to visiting 19th-ranked Florida, Surcey won her first set in a Line 6 singles match before falling 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Mississippi State (10-9, 0-8 SEC) hosts rival Ole Miss Friday.

BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Jr., Woodland HS) … paired with teammate Kody Dills to win a Line 3 doubles match 8-4 and won his Line 2 singles match 6-2, 6-0 as the Lions defeated Maryville College (Tennessee) last Tuesday. He did not participate in two other team wins last week over Berea College (Kentucky) and at Guilford College (North Carolina). Piedmont (9-3, 2-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) host Truett-McConnell Monday before playing at Covenant College Saturday and at Sewanee-University of the South on Sunday.

TRACK AND FIELD

BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (So., Cartersville HS) … finished 9th in the 5000M run (15:54.25) and placed 27th in the 800M Run (2:05.22) last Friday and Saturday as the Falcons finished fourth at the Emory Thrills in the Hills Open. Montevallo finished with 76 points in the meet won by host Emory. Denison University (Ohio) and Columbus State University (Georgia) were second and third. The next meet for UM is April 7-8 at Kennesaw State University.

ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … won the 400M Hurdles (55.13) and was 11th in the 110M Hurdles (19.65) last weekend at the 13-team Ole Miss Classic. Next on the Bruins’ schedule is the Western Kentucky Hilltopper Relays Friday and Saturday in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

SOFTBALL

LAINEY BAKER — Samford University (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a middle innings relief appearance on 1-⅓ innings Sunday in a 7-6 win over visiting Mercer. Baker gave up three earned runs on three hits and one walk. She fanned one of nine batters faced. Samford (14-18, 3-0 Southern Conference) plays Auburn Wednesday night in Birmingham and visits Western Carolina for a three-game SoCon series Saturday and Sunday.

COLBI BALLARD — Shorter University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made one start and appeared in two home games this past weekend against the University of West Florida going 0-for-3 at the plate. The Hawks (4-28, 1-16 Gulf South Conference) play a three-game GSC series Saturday and Sunday at the University of West Alabama.

SKYLAR CHAPPELL — Cottey College (Sr., Woodland HS) … had a hit and scored a run in a pinch-hitting appearance Sunday as the Comets blanked Lyon College (Arkansas) 8-0. Cottey (13-14, 2-0 American Midwest Conference) hosts Bacone College (Oklahoma) Wednesday before visiting Harris-Stowe State University Saturday and St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Sunday.

PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … the Wolves split a home doubleheader with Clark Atlanta last Tuesday and lost twice at Piedmont University Sunday. The Wolves’ catcher made all four starts and went 5-for-11 at the plate with a double, two RBIs, and scored one run. Wesleyan (2-14, 0-4 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Agnes Scott College Tuesday, Berea College (Kentucky) Saturday, and Maryville College (Tennessee) Sunday.

ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … went 1-for-11 with two RBIs playing in four games last week for the Eagles who split games at Truett-McConnell University and swept a doubleheader with Milligan College (Tennessee). The Eagles (16-8, 11-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Columbia College (South Carolina) Friday and at St. Andrews University (North Carolina) on Saturday.

SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (So., Adairsville HS) … was 0-for-2 with one RBI in a pair of pinch-hitting/catcher appearances off the No. 1-ranked Nighthawks’ bench at Flagler College. UNG (34-1, 15-0 Peach Belt Conference) plays a three-game PBC series Saturday and Sunday at Young Harris College.

ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … started all four games for the Eagles last week and went 3-for-10 with a walk and one run scored as Reinhardt split at Truett-McConnell University last Thursday and beat visiting Milligan University (Tennessee) twice on Sunday. The Eagles (16-8, 11-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Columbia College (South Carolina) Friday and at St. Andrews University (North Carolina) on Saturday.

RACHAEL LEE — Gulf Coast State CC (Fr., Cass HS) … made a pair of starts last week as the Commodores went 4-0 in games at Pensacola State CC and Chipola CC. Lee was 0-for-4 at the plate. GCSCC (23-10, 4-0 Florida Panhandle Conference) hosts Tallahassee CC Tuesday and Pensacola State CC Saturday.

LAUREN McELHANEY — University of West Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made three starts and appeared in all six games last week for the Wolves at Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, and Alabama-Birmingham. McElhaney was 1-for-8 with a double and one RBI at the plate as UWG went 1-5 for the week.

HOPE SHORT — Shorter University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … had one at-bat Saturday against the University of West Florida. The Hawks (4-28, 1-16 Gulf South Conference) play a three-game GSC series Saturday and Sunday at the University of West Alabama.

ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … made one start and appeared as a pinch runner in two of the Hawks’ three losses to the University of West Florida last weekend. Varner was 0-for-2 in her start with one hit by pitch. She scored a run in the pinch-runner appearance. The Hawks (4-28, 1-16 Gulf South Conference) play a three-game GSC series Saturday and Sunday at the University of West Alabama.

BASEBALL

CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Panthers’ catcher went 8-for-19 at the plate last week with two triples, one double, one walk, and four RBIs as his team lost at top-ranked Birmingham-Southern College but swept a three-game home series with Covenant College. Bonner also scored five runs during the four games. 10th-ranked LaGrange (17-6, 6-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) visits Berry College Tuesday.

KENNY JINKS — Wheeling University (Sr., Woodland HS) … improved his 2023 season record to 3-1 with a six inning start and 11-3 win Monday over Davis & Elkins College. The left-handed pitcher allowed two earned runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out seven. Wheeling (12-8, 3-4 Mountain East Conference) plays at Concord University (West Virginia) Saturday and at Glenville State College (West Virginia) Sunday.

BRYCEN JONES — University of West Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made an appearance in the seventh inning last Thursday and was saddled with the pitching loss at Tusculum University in a 17-10 loss. Jones faced three batters giving up three earned runs on two hits and one walk. The 12th-ranked Wolves (22-7, 10-7 Gulf South Conference) host Christian Brothers University in a three-game conference series Friday and Saturday.

LOGAN MARTIN — University of Kentucky (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made a two-inning start last Friday receiving no decision in an eventual 4-3, 12-inning win at Alabama. Martin worked two shutout innings giving up just one walk. He struck out two. The Wildcats won three of four games last week including two of three over the Crimson Tide. 16th-ranked Kentucky (21-3, 5-1 SEC) visits Western Kentucky Tuesday night and hosts a three-game conference series with 25th-ranked Missouri this weekend.

GUNNER MILLSAP — Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (Fr., Cartersville HS) … retired five outs facing seven batters in the eighth and ninth innings last Wednesday in an 11-7 home loss to the University of Evansville. The Cougars went 1-3 last week falling to 14-8 on the season and 1-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play. SIU-E plays at Saint Louis Tuesday and at Tennessee-Martin this weekend in a three-game conference series.

DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … while the Stallions split a four-game series with Georgia Highlands College last week, Rothschild was 0-for-13 at the plate with two walks and one run scored. ABAC (16-19, 2-2 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) hosts Andrew College Wednesday and completes the four-game conference series at Andrew Thursday and Saturday.

SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (So., Woodland HS) … was the Scots’ starting pitcher and took the pitching loss Saturday in a 15-7 loss at 10th-ranked LaGrange College. Smith (1-3) allowed nine earned runs on 13 hits and two walks. He struck out two. Covenant beat visiting Oglethorpe University last Tuesday but dropped all three games of a weekend series at LaGrange. The Scots (7-10, 2-3 Collegiate Conference of the South) visit Oglethorpe Tuesday and head to Pearl, Mississippi to play a three-game series Friday and Saturday at Belhaven University.

STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Sr., Cass HS) … the Mountain Lions went 2-2 last week with a loss at Lincoln Memorial University and one loss in three games at USC-Aiken. Spell was 6-for-16 at the plate with three doubles, one walk, one hit by pitch, three RBIs, and five runs scored. Young Harris (21-10, 12-6 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Southern Wesleyan Tuesday and 8th-ranked Columbus State University Friday through Sunday for a PBC series.

DEVIN WARNER — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … started three of the Grizzlies’ four games last week as GGC won at Bryan College (Tennessee), split a doubleheader at home with Toccoa Falls College, and beat visiting Middle Georgia State. Warner was 3-for-10 with two walks, one hit by pitch, and one RBI with a sacrifice fly. He also stole two bases and scored a pair of runs. 5th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett (28-4, 4-0 Continental Athletic Conference) hosts 16th-ranked Bryan College (Tennessee ) Tuesday before traveling to 14th-ranked Loyola (Louisiana) for a three-game series Friday and Saturday.

PRESTON WELCHEL — Tennessee Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … in four games last week, Welchel was 2-for-10 with a walk, six RBIs, and three runs scored. His two hits were home runs Saturday in a 10-0 win over visiting Johnson University to complete a three-game series sweep. The 2nd-ranked Bulldogs (25-5, 15-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) also had a loss last Tuesday at Cumberland University. This week, TWU hosts the 11th-ranked University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) on Tuesday and visits Bluefield University (Virginia) for a three-game series Friday and Saturday.

COHEN WILBANKS — Greater Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in two starts last week Wilbanks was 4-for-8 with three doubles and three RBIs in wins over Toccoa Falls College and Middle Georgia State. 5th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett (28-4, 4-0 Continental Athletic Conference) hosts 16th-ranked Bryan College (Tennessee ) Tuesday before traveling to 14th-ranked Loyola (Louisiana) for a three-game series Friday and Saturday.

DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham-Southern College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a pair of relief appearances last week and picked up his second pitching win of the season. He worked a scoreless sixth and seventh inning last Wednesday with no decision in a 6-5 win at 10th-ranked LaGrange College. On Sunday, Williams worked the fourth through sixth innings in an 18-9 win over visiting Rhodes College. The right-hander allowed three earned runs on four hits and one walk while fanning two. The No. 1-ranked Panthers (25-2, 8-1 Southern Athletic Association) finished the week 4-0. They travel to Jackson, Mississippi for a three-game conference series Saturday and Sunday at Millsaps College.

JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … finished last week 5-for-14 at the plate in a home win over Francis Marion University and one win and two losses to visiting Flagler College. Wilkie had a pair of doubles, walked once, and drove in four runs. The Jaguars (13-15, 7-11 Peach Belt Conference) play USC-Aiken Wednesday night at SRP Park and host Lander University for a three-game series Friday and Saturday.

ZACH WILSON — Penn State-Greater Allegheny (Jr., Woodland HS) … started two of four games last week at first base as PSU-GA won three of four games with PSU-New Kensington. At the plate, Wilson was 3-for-8 with a home run, four RBIs, and one run scored. Penn State-Greater Allegheny (11-7, 3-1) plays at LaRoche University Wednesday and plays home-and-home doubleheaders Friday and Saturday with Penn State-Mont Alto.