Collegiate softball and baseball Athletes Beyond Bartow update
With the NCAA Division I teams opening up their 2017 seasons this past weekend, collegiate softball and baseball are now at full speed at all collegiate levels.
On the softball diamond this past weekend, Taylor Braselton and Taylor Weeks both had excellent performances at the USCB Southern Challenge for Reinhardt University.
On the baseball diamond, Sean McDermott's hot start continues at Cleveland State CC and Ty Fowler picked up his first pitching victory of the year for Tennessee Wesleyan College.
Meanwhile, Michael Goss and Jo Jo Underwood were both opening day starters for UNC-Greensboro as they began the 2017 season at University of South Carolina.
Update for Febuary 14-19, 2017
SOFTBALL
BETHANY BALLARD — Armstrong State (Senior, C, Cass HS). . . drove in a run with a pinch hit single Saturday in a 14-0 rout of East Stroudsburg in a game at the Florida Tech Brawl at the Beach in Melbourne, FL. Armstrong State (7-3) won three of five games at the event and will play five more games this weekend in Orlando, FL at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.
TAYLOR BRASELTON (photo left, courtesy Reinhardt University) — Reinhardt University (Senior, SS, Woodland HS). . . went 10-for-20 with a double, one RBI, and five runs scored as the Lady Eagles won two of five games at the USCB Southern Challenge in Beaufort, SC Friday through Sunday. Reinhardt (4-4) will host the Reinhardt Invitational this Friday through Sunday with Kentucky Christian, Brescia, Georgia Gwinnett, and Martin Methodist participating.
CASSIDY HOWREN — Reinhardt University (Junior, C, Adairsville HS). . . started all five games for the Eagles at the USCB Southern Challenge in Beaufort, SC this past weekend as RU won two of the five. Howren managed only one hit and a walk for the tournament. Her hit came Friday in a 2-1 loss to Campbellsville (KY). Reinhardt (4-4) will host the Reinhardt Invitational this Friday through Sunday with Kentucky Christian, Brescia, Georgia Gwinnett, and Martin Methodist participating.
SYDNEY FLOWERS — Reinhardt University (Senior, OF, Woodland HS). . . played in two games at the USCB Southern Challenge in Beaufort, SC this past weekend and was 1-for-5 with one RBI. The RBI hit came in the fourth inning of a 4-3 defeat of Faulkner University (AL). The hit gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead at the time. Reinhardt (4-4) will host the Reinhardt Invitational this Friday through Sunday with Kentucky Christian, Brescia, Georgia Gwinnett, and Martin Methodist participating.
SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Sophomore, C/INF, Woodland HS). . . went 3-for-6 with a walk and scored a run in a pair of losses at Georgia Southwestern Sunday. Hodorff started at third base defensively and hit third in the batting order. The Lady Panthers (0-2) play a doubleheader Wednesday at Birmingham Southern College and play a doubleheader at Judson College (AL) Saturday.
HUNTER IRVIN — Reinhardt University (Sophomore, OF, Cartersville HS). . . started games against Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Campbellsville University (KY) at the USBC Southern Challenge in Beaufort, SC last Thursday. Irvin was 0-for-5 with one walk in the two losses. The Lady Eagles won two of five games at the event. Reinhardt (4-4) will host the Reinhardt Invitational this Friday through Sunday with Kentucky Christian, Brescia, Georgia Gwinnett, and Martin Methodist participating.
TAYLOR WEEKS (photo right) — Reinhardt University (Senior, OF, Adairsville HS). . . the Lady Eagles’ left fielder and leadoff hitter was 10-for-20 in five games at the USBC Southern Challenge in Beaufort, SC last Thursday through Saturday. Weeks had a double and a triple with a walk and three RBIs. She also scored four runs. Reinhardt won two of the five games. The Eagles (4-4) will host the Reinhardt Invitational this Friday through Sunday with Kentucky Christian, Brescia, Georgia Gwinnett, and Martin Methodist participating.
LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands College (Sophomore, SS, Cass HS). . . went 6-for-17 with two walks, three sacrifice hits, stole a base, and was hit by pitch twice as the Chargers won seven games over the weekend. GHC won five games at the Gulf Shores, AL Sun Chief Classic Friday and Saturday before sweeping a doubleheader at Enterprise CC (AL) Sunday afternoon. The Chargers (16-3) have reeled off 14 straight wins and open conference play at home at Stars Field Wednesday against Gordon State College.
BASEBALL
ELLIOTT ANDERSON — Auburn University (Freshman, LHP, Cartersville HS). . . made his collegiate debut last Friday in the Tigers’ 9-0 opening day shutout of George Washington. Anderson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and recorded one strikeout. Auburn (3-1) hosts Holy Cross for a three-game series Friday through Sunday.
BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (Junior, OF/P, Cass HS). . . went two for six with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored in a doubleheader last Friday with Gannon and a single game Sunday with LUI Post. He also drew two walks and was hit by a pitch in the three games. Limestone split two games with Gannon and defeated LIU Post twice as part of the Limestone Classic. Etheridge also made his second relief pitching appearance of the year for the Saints, but did not record an out last Tuesday in a 6-3 loss at Lenoir-Rhyne. Limestone (9-4) plays at Lander University Wednesday and will host a three-game series with Barton College Friday and Saturday.
CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (Freshman, OF, Cartersville HS). . . entered to play right field and had one at bat in the Jaguars’ 13-3 defeat of Anderson University (SC) Saturday. In limited at bats, Evans is 3-for-6 this season with a walk and one RBI. Augusta won two of three games in the weekend series with Anderson. The Jaguars (4-5) travel to Valdosta State Wednesday before opening Peach Belt Conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Francis Marion.
TY FOWLER — Tennessee Wesleyan University (Senior, RHP, Cartersville HS). . . (photo right) picked up a pitching victory last Tuesday at Talladega College (AL) with a four inning start. He allowed only one earned run on two hits and a walk. Fowler struck out two as the Bulldogs won 11-5. TWC (6-5) travels to 5th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College Wednesday and will host a pair of two-game sets this weekend against 14th-ranked Campbellsville University and Shawnee State University.
MICHAEL GOSS — UNC-Greensboro (Senior, 1B, Cartersville HS). . . started all three games for the Spartans this past weekend in a season-opening series at University of South Carolina. Goss was 1-for-9 at the plate with one RBI in the series. UNCG won 1-0 Sunday afternoon after dropping the first two games 7-1 and 5-1. The Spartans (1-2) play at Wake Forest Tuesday and will host a three-game set with Michigan State Friday through Sunday.
SEAN McDERMOTT — Cleveland State CC (Sophomore, 1B, Adairsville HS). . . went 2-for-10 with three RBIs in games last week against Bryant & Stratton College (VA) Wednesday at LakePoint and a home doubleheader with Vincennes University Friday. McDermott, who still carries a .468 batting average with eight RBIs, drove in one run in each of the three wins as the Cougars improved to 5-1. They host Gordon State College (GA) Tuesday and play a doubleheader at Chattanooga State CC Saturday.
JO JO UNDERWOOD — UNC-Greensboro (Senior, 3B, Cartersville HS). . . started the first two games of the season opening series at University of South Carolina last weekend, but went 0-for-5 at the plate. Underwood did record four putouts defensively. The Spartans lost the first two games, but edged the Gamecocks on Sunday, 1-0. The Spartans (1-2) play at Wake Forest Tuesday and will host a three-game set with Michigan State Friday through Sunday.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Junior, INF/OF, Adairsville HS). . . played in two of the three game, home series with Auburn Montgomery this past weekend and went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, and scored a run. In three starts and seven appearance, Washington is hitting .250 in 16 at bats with four RBIs. The Mountain Lions (3-7) host Lee University Tuesday before opening Peach Belt Conference play on the weekend at 5th-ranked USC-Aiken.
EDITORS NOTE: An update for basketball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and wrestling was published in a separate article this week.
Did we miss someone this week? If we did, please let us know. Use the 'Contact' link at the top of this page or send an email to: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. A full listing of current local athletes is available on this website on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page.
