Justus, Goss start fast; ABB update of collegiate baseball and softball locals

College softball and baseball athletes from the Cartersville and Bartow County area continue to make important contributions to their respective athletic programs across the Southeastern United States.

Bartow Sports Zone maintains a roster of all the local collegiate and professional athletes on the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page of this web site.

Note: Tennis, track and field, wrestling, and basketball ran as a separate article this week.

SOFTBALL

BETHANY BALLARD — Armstrong State University (Jr., Cass HS) . . . catcher, has appeared in six games for the Pirates and has a double (.200) with a pair of RBI. ASU is 11-5 on the season and will play four games (vs. Bellarmine, Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Queens College) in the Mid-South Classic Feb. 27-28 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

TAYLOR BRASELTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . As a leadoff hitting centerfielder, Braselton is 8-for-27 (.296) in eight games for the Eagles (5-3) with one RBI and a pair of walks. She has seven putouts and a pair of assists defensively. Reinhardt lost three of four games last weekend in Montgomery, AL, but defeated ninth-ranked William Carey, 3-1. RU has a pair of home doubleheaders Feb. 26-27 against Rio Grande (OH) and University of Pikeville (KY).

SYDNEY FLOWERS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . an Eagles’ third baseman saw action as a defensive specialist vs. Mobile and Auburn-Montgomery Feb. 19 and 20. Reinhardt lost three of four games, but knocked off ninth-ranked William Carey last weekend at the AUM/Faulkner Invitational in Montgomery. The Eagles slipped to 5-3 on the season. RU has home doubleheaders Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 against Rio Grande (OH) and University of Pikeville (KY).

LACEY FRITZ — Southeastern Louisiana University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . has appeared in eight games as SLU has started the season 9-1. Fritz is 1-for-8 with a pair of RBI and a pair of walks. The Lions host Mississippi State Feb. 22 and play five games Feb. 26-27 in the Gulfport (MS) Invitational where they will face Southern Miss, Baylor, IPFW, Memphis, and Jackson State.

HUNTER IRVIN — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . had a pinch hit appearance Feb. 20 at Auburn-Montgomery. Irvin is 1-for-3 (.333) with a pair of RBI and has appeared in three games for the Eagles. RU (5-3) has home doubleheaders Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 against Rio Grande (OH) and University of Pikeville (KY).

MALLORY JACKSON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Woodland HS) . . . through 17 appearances posted by the Chargers, Jackson has hit a pair of homers with seven RBI. GHC is 10-18 and opens Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference play Feb. 26, hosting Darton in a doubleheader. The Chargers will host USC Salkehatchie March 1 in a non-conference doubleheader.

ASHLEY JORDAN — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Woodland HS) . . . in 21 games posted by the Chargers, Jordan is 18-for-58 (.310) with eight RBI, eight runs scored, and five stolen bases. Highlands is 10-18 on the season and begins GCAA conference play Feb. 26 in a home doubleheader against Darton. The Chargers will host USC Salkehatchie March 1 in a non-conference doubleheader.

KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . has started the season 7-for-26 (.269) with six runs scored and an RBI for the Eagles who were swept last weekend in their Sunshine State Conference opening series by Saint Leo. Rain has seven putouts with an assist and one double play from her outfield position. ERAU is scheduled to host Dominican College in Daytona Beach for a doubleheader Feb. 23 and travels to 14th-ranked Florida Tech Feb. 26-27.

TAYLOR WEEKS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . as a starter at shortstop, Weeks is 3-for-20 (.150) with three RBI, a pair of walks, and a stolen base through the Eagles’ first eight games. She has 5 putouts and ten assists in 19 chances defensively. Reinhardt beat ninth-ranked William Carey, but lost three other games at the AUM/Falkner Invitational last weekend in Montgomery. The Eagles host doubleheaders Feb. 26 and 27 against visiting Rio Grande (OH) and University of Pikeville.

RANDI WIMPY — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) . . . hitting in the No. 3 spot, the senior catcher has started the season 11-for-25 (.440) with eight RBI, a homerun, six extra-base hit, and five walks. Defensively she has only one error in 42 chances. The Eagles lost three of four games at the AUM/Faulkner Invitational last weekend, but did upend ninth-ranked William Carey (MS), 3-1. Two of the three losses were to top ten ranked teams Mobile and Auburn-Montgomery. The Eagles host doubleheaders Feb. 26 and 27 against visiting Rio Grande (OH) and University of Pikeville.

LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . in 21 games posted by the Chargers, Womack is 9-for-42 (.238) with a double, a walk, four stolen bases, and four RBI. Georgia Highlands is 10-18 on the season and begins GCAA conference play Feb. 26 in a home doubleheader against Darton. The Chargers are scheduled to host USC Salkehatchie March 1 in a non-conference doubleheader.

BASEBALL

CLIFTON DEMPSEY — Maryville College (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . appearing in nine games, Dempsey is 5-for-13 (.385) with a double, two walks, three stolen bases, and a pair of RBI. . . has nine putouts and seven assists in 17 chances defensively for a .941 fielding percentage including one double play. The Scots have won eight straight to improve to 8-2 on the season. They swept visiting MacMurray College (IL) last weekend and are schedle to host Emory & Henry Feb. 24 before traveling to Demorest, GA to play at Piedmont College in a three-game series Feb. 26-28.

BO EDWARDS — University North Georgia (R-Sr., Adairsville HS) . . . has two starts and has appeared in four games for the Nighthawks who are 9-2 to start the year. Edwards went 1-for-4 with a double and RBI vs. Georgia Southwestern Feb. 20 and is 2-for-11 (.182) for the season. North Georgia opened Peach Belt Conference play last weekend winning two of three games at Georgia Southwestern University. UNG travels to Southern Wesleyan University Feb. 24 before hosting PBC foe Columbus State University Feb. 26-28 in Dahlonega.

BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Georgia Highlands CC (Soph., Cass HS) . . . the Chargers’ outfielder is 12-for-43 (.279) with a three RBI and seven runs scored in 12 games. Etheridge also has two stolen bases. He was 3-for-10, scoring twice, with one RBI in three games this past weekend vs. St. Louis CC (MO) and Lincoln Trail CC (IL). GHC is 8-5 and scheduled to host Southern Union State CC Feb. 24 before a three-game series with Sinclair CC (OH) Feb. 26-27 at LakePoint.

TY FOWLER — Tennessee Wesleyan College (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . has one pitching appearance vs. Indiana University Southeast where he entered in the final innings to close out a 13-4 win. Fowler faced four batters and recorded three strikeouts. One batter reached on an error. The 14th-ranked Bulldogs are 4-4, winning three in a four-game series at home last weekend vs. Indiana University Southeast. TWC plays at Cumberland University Feb. 23, then plays Goshen College (IN) at Lakeshore Park, GA before hosting 17th-ranked University of Northwestern Ohio in a doubleheader Feb. 26.

MICHAEL GOSS — University of North Carolina-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . went 6-for-13 (.462 BA; .769 SLG%) with a homerun, double, four runs scored, three walks, and five RBI in the Spartans season opening home-and-home series with High Point University. UNCG (2-1) won 9-3 and 13-5 in the first two games, but fell 15-5 in the third game of the series. Goss, a defensive starter at first base, recorded 23 putouts and a pair of assists in 27 chances during the opening series. UNC-Greensboro hosts Elon Feb. 23 and a three-game series with Binghamton Feb. 26-28.

ROBERT HARRIS — Troy University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . made a two inning appearance during a 10-3 Trojans win over Northern Kentucky Feb. 19. Harris struck out four. Troy swept the four game series to open their 2016 campaign. The Trojans host Alabama-Birmingham Feb. 24 and play a three game series at Southeastern Louisiana Feb. 26-28.

HARRISON HATFIELD — Shorter University (Soph, Cartersville HS) . . . has two plate appearances in three games played for the Hawks who are currently 7-5 after dropping two of three at Union University over the past weekend. Shorter is scheduled to host University of North Alabama in a three-game Gulf South Conference series Feb. 27-28.

EVAN HILTON — Georgia College (R-Jr., Woodland HS) . . . the southpaw worked two-thirds of an inning in a 19-3 win over Albany State Feb. 14 yielding an earned run on one hit and three walks. The Bobcats are 4-6 overall and 1-2 in the Peach Belt Conference after losing two of three over the past weekend to Flagler College. Georgia College hosts 24th-ranked University of South Carolina-Aiken in another PBC series Feb. 26-28.

BRADLEY HOOD — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . the right hand pitcher has made three appearances recording three strikeouts in two innings pitched. He has not allowed an earned run. The Chargers are 8-5 and scheduled to host Southern Union State CC Feb. 24 before a three-game series with Sinclair CC (OH) Feb. 26-27 at LakePoint.

TRIPP JAMIESON — Univ. of the Cumberlands (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . in five starts and six games played, Jamieson is 6-for-13 (.462 BA; 1.000 SLG%) with a homerun, four extra base hits, two walks, and nine RBI. The Patriots lost to Union College (KY) Feb. 18, but swept a three game set with Ohio State University-Lima over the past weekend to improve to 5-2. U of C continues a 16-game home stand Feb. 27-28 with a four game series against Wright State-Lake (OH).

CONNOR JUSTUS — Georgia Tech (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . opened the 2016 campaign by going 7-for-12 (.583) with a double, a walk, two runs scored, and two stolen bases as the Yellow Jackets defeated Purdue, Western Michigan, and Virginia Commonwealth Feb. 19-21. The starting shortstop had four putouts, 11 assists, and was part of five double plays in 15 chances over the three game stretch. Georgia Tech is scheduled to play at Georgia Southern Feb. 24 and then opens a seven game home stand with a three game series vs. University of Maryland-Baltimore County Feb. 26-28.

SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Fr., Adairsville HS) . . . starting at 1B or DH and hitting in the clean-up spot, McDermott is 10-for-30 (.333) with two doubles, three walks, and five RBI. CSCC is 5-4 and travels to Piedmont College (GA) for a doubleheader Feb. 22 and plays at Chattanooga State CC Feb. 27.

HUNTER OSBORN — Reinhardt University (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . the RHP is 2-0 in three starts for the Eagles. He has recorded 13 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched with a 1.23 ERA. He went 5 innings, allowing only one hit and three walks with five strikeouts in a win over St. Francis (IN) Feb. 20. Reinhardt (11-2) hosts Georgia Gwinnett Feb. 23, plays Goshen College (IN) at LakePoint in Emerson Feb. 24, and hosts a pair of doubleheaders Feb. 27-28 vs. Robert Morris College (IL).

MASON ROBINSON — Wallace State-Dothan CC (Soph., Woodland HS) . . . playing in the outfield, Robinson is 6-for-32 (.188 BA) in nine games with a homerun, three doubles, three stolen bases, and three RBI. He has also walked five times. The Governors, 10-2 and had a 10-game win streak stopped Feb. 22 with a home loss to Darton State (GA). Wallace State-Dothan hosts Pensacola State CC Feb. 24 and travels to Chipola College (FL) Feb. 26.

JO JO UNDERWOOD — University of North Carolina-Greensboro (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . made two appearances for the Spartans in their opening weekend series vs. High Point University. He had one plate appearance and recorded four putouts at catcher. UNC-Greensboro (2-1) hosts Elon Feb. 23 and a three-game series with Binghamton Feb. 26-28. TYLER WILL — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . the RHP has appeared in three games, allowing five hits in 2.1 innings pitched while recording a save against Guilford College Feb. 13. The Vikings are 10-0 following a sweep of Fontbonne University (MO) this past weekend. Berry hosts Covenant College Feb. 24 and travels to Sewanee (TN) for a three game series Feb. 27-28.

ASA WILLIAMS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . the Eagles’ catcher is 7-for-23 (.304 BA) in seven starts with two doubles, a walk, and six RBI. Reinhardt (11-2) hosts Georgia Gwinnett Feb. 23, plays Goshen College (IN) at LakePoint in Emerson Feb. 24, and hosts a pair of doubleheaders Feb. 27-28 vs. Robert Morris College (IL).

CHAZ WILSON — Columbus State University (Jr., Cass HS) . . . has pitched 5.2 innings in a pair of relief appearances for the Cougars. Wilson has four strikeouts, four walks, and has allowed no earned runs with a .188 batting average against. CSU swept Young Harris College this past weekend with Wilson pitching the seventh and eighth innings of Game 2. Columbus State improved to 8-2 overall and 3-0 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Cougars are scheduled to host Stillman College Feb. 23, Tuskegee University Feb. 24, and return to conference play at University of North Georgia Feb. 26-28.

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