Athletes Beyond Bartow: Howard, Justus wrap MiLB season, college fall sports hit full stride

MiLB

SAM HOWARD (photo) — Albuquerque Isotopes (LHP, 3rd rd. selection, Colorado Rockies in 2014, Georgia Southern University, Cartersville HS). . . went 6 innings allowing 1 earned run on four hits and three walks Saturday for a no-decision, but the Triple-A ‘Topes won 7-2 over the Reno Aces. Howard struck out four. In likely his final start of the year, Howard finishes with a 3.32 ERA in 24 games. He started 23 games for the Pacific Coast League Isotopes and the Double-A Eastern League Hartford Yard Goats. He was 1-4 for Hartford with a 2.33 ERA in nine starts and was 4-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 14 starts for Albuquerque. He totaled 104 strikeouts with batters hitting .236 against him in just over 127 innings. Albuquerque (67-72) wraps up the regular season Monday.

CONNOR JUSTUS — Inland Empire 66ers (SS, 5th rd. selection, LA Angels in 2016, Georgia Tech, Cartersville HS). . . the 66ers starting shortstop has slipped to a .198 batting average for the season and is 4-for-35 in his most recent ten games. He has a .956 fielding percentage in 432 defensive chances. He has been part of 58 double plays. Inland Empire (35-33 2nd half / 65-73 overall) has been eliminated from playoff contention with two regular season games remaining.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (Jr., DB, Woodland HS). . . has two tackles last Thursday in the PIoneers season-opening 34-33 loss at North Greenville. Tusculum (0-1) entertains Shorter University Saturday.

DeANDRE APPLIN (photo) — Georgia State University (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS). . . had six solo tackles and three assists last Thursday in the Panthers season opening 17-10 home loss to Tennessee State. GSU (0-1) is idle this weekend before traveling to Penn State September 16.

TERRIUS CALLAHAN — Austin Peay University (R-Fr., WR, Cartersville HS). . . saw playing time last Thursday in the Governors season-opening 26-14 loss at Cincinnati. Austin Peay (0-1) plays at Miami-Ohio Saturday afternoon.

TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., LB/S, Cartersville HS). . . had one solo tackle and one assist along with one pass break-up in the Eagles’ 53-7 win at Cincinnati Christian (OH) last Saturday. Reinhardt (1-0) plays at Faulkner University Saturday in Montgomery, Ala.

XAVIOR COAXUM -- LaGrange College (Fr., Cartersville HS). . . had one solo tackle in his college debut Saturday as LaGrange lost 29-25 to Birmingham Southern. The Panthers (0-1) play at Berry College Saturday.

DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Fr., OL, Cartersville HS). . . saw action in his first collegiate game Saturday at Davidson, a 30-7 loss. The Tornados (0-1) host Emory & Henry this Saturday.

T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., WR, Cartersville HS). . . caught a pair of passes for 20 yards including a 12-yard reception early in the third quarter Friday in the 49ers 24-7 loss at Eastern Michigan. Ford was targeted seven times during the game and even hauled in one other 19-yard pass that was negated for a Charlotte holding penalty. The 49ers (0-1) play at Kansas State Saturday at noon.

TRASE FEZZIA -- Ellsworth CC (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS). . . had an interception and a 21-yard return in his second game of the year. Ellsworth defeated Coffeyville CC 30-16. Ellsworth (1-1) entertains Iowa Central CC on Saturday.

MILLER FORRISTALL — Alabama (Soph., TE, Cartersville HS). . . saw playing time in the Crimson Tides’ season opening win over Florida State Saturday in Atlanta. Alabama (1-0) hosts Fresno State Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

GABE GRIDLEY — ASA New York (Sophomore, P/PK, Cartersville HS). . . had one punt for 36 yards in the Avengers 49-0 win over the New Jersey Warriors last Saturday in Brooklyn. ASA New York (1-0) plays at Wagner JV Sunday on Staten Island.

HUNTER HARDIN -- Point University (Freshman, OL, Woodland HS). . . (photo, #63) started at guard for the Skyhawks in their 51-33 home loss to Campbellsville (KY) University last Saturday. Point (1-1) travels to 21st-ranked Georgetown (KY) College Saturday.

DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (Sr., P/K, Adairsville HS). . . punted nine times for a 38.1 yard average and had a long punt of 46 yards in a 56-14 loss at Morehead State last Thursday night. Hines added three kickoffs for a 43 yard average, missed a 30-yard field goal attempt, and had one solo tackle in the contest. The Crusaders (0-2) host Union College (KY) Saturday.

LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Jr., G, Cass HS). . . the offensive lineman saw action Thursday night in the Panthers’ 17-10 loss to Tennessee State. GSU (0-1) is off this week before traveling to Penn State Saturday, September 16.

EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Fr., LB, Woodland HS). . . had one tackle assist Saturday in the Rams’ 17-3 loss to Colorado in Denver. Jones has not seen action in both games this season as a true freshman. CSU (1-1) hosts Abilene Christian Saturday afternoon in Fort Collins.

RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS). . . started at left tackle for the Chanticleers as they amassed over 400 yards total offense and 321 rushing yards in a 38-28 victory over visiting UMass. CCU (1-0) is off this week and will travel to Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday, September 16.

MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Jr., SL, Cartersville HS). . . caught two passes for a 23-yard total, but had a 26-yard reception for a first down on a 3rd and 7 play in the second quarter of the 49ers 24-7 loss last Friday at Eastern Michigan. He was targeted three times. Charlotte (0-1) travels to Manhattan, Kansas Saturday to face Kansas State.

JOHN SCIFERS — University West Georgia (Fr., K, Woodland HS). . . had a 29-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter blocked in the Wolves’ 34-9 victory over visiting Fort Valley State last Thursday night in Carrollton. UWG (1-0) hosts Miles College Saturday night.

TORRIAN SCRUTCHINS -- Ellsworth CC (Fr., Cartersville HS). . . saw action Friday in a 30-16 win over Coffeyville CC. Ellsworth (1-1) entertains Iowa Central CC on Saturday.

SHELBY TOWNSEND, JR. — Georgia Southern University (R-Jr., DT, Woodland HS). . . saw action in the Eagles’ 41-7 loss Saturday at Auburn. The Eagles (0-1) host New Hampshire Saturday night in Statesboro.

BRANDON WADE -- Ellsworth CC (Fr., Cartersville HS). . . . saw action Friday in a 30-16 win over Coffeyville CC. Ellsworth (1-1) hosts Iowa Central CC this Saturday.

JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Fr., TE, Cartersville, Darlington HS). . . saw action in the Paladins 24-23 loss at Wofford last Saturday. Furman (0-1) hosts Elon College Saturday afternoon.

CROSS COUNTRY

BREE COLE — Jacksonville State University (Soph., Cartersville HS). . . finished 37th overall and second on her team in 16:31.90 as the Gamecocks placed seventh of nine Division I teams at the 4K JSU Struts Cross Country Season Opener at Oxford Lake and Recreation last Saturday. The Georgia Tech women won the overall meet ahead of Alabama and D-II North Georgia. JSU runs this Friday in the Kennesaw State Invitational.

SPENCER FIELDS — Rhodes College (Jr., Kingston, Darlington HS). . . ran second for the Lynx in 15:46.23 as Rhodes won the non-Division I portion of the Belmont Opener Cross Country Meet in Nashville last Saturday. Rhodes will host the Rhodes College Invitational September 16 at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis.

JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS). . . finished second overall in 19:42.1 and led the Blazers to a third place finish last Saturday at the VSU 6K Border Clash at Freedom Park. Shawn Olmstead of Georgia College won the race less than four seconds ahead of Morning. Georgia College also won the meet with Tampa University finishing second in the seven team field. Up next, the Blazers will travel to Montevallo, Ala. for the Montevallo Falcon Invitational 8K on September 16th.

VOLLEYBALL

KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina University (Sr., Cartersville HS). . . totaled 15 kills, eight blocks, and one dig, but the Catamounts lost all three matches at the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic last Friday and Saturday in Honolulu, Hawaii. Against 22nd-ranked Utah, she had seven kills, three blocks, and a dig. WCU (1-5) fell to host Hawaii, Utah, and South Dakota in the tournament. The Cats play in the ISATAP Collegiate Cup Invitational Saturday and Sunday in Montgomery, Ala.

SOCCER

MADISON BENNETT -- North Greenville University (Sophomore, D, Woodland) . . . saw time in a 1-0 loss to Lander last Thursday. The Crusaders (1-0-1) play USC-Aiken Wednesday and Southern Wesleyan Saturday. Both matches are at home.

KATELYNN HARBEKE -- Life University (Jr., Cass HS). . . . (photo left) was a starter in a 4-1 loss at Johnson and Wales August 28 in Miami. The Eagles (2-2) host Faulkner Wednesday and play at Middle Georgia State on Sunday.

KATIE LAWHORN -- Life University (Fr., Adairsville HS). . . entered the game as a reserve in Life's 4-1 loss last week at Johnson and Wales. The Running Eagles (2-2) play Faulkner at home Wednesday and travel to Middle Georgia State in Macon on Sunday.

CODY WEST — Duquesne University (Defender, Grad student, Cass HS). . . played all 90 minutes and took on shot in the Dukes’ 3-1 home loss last Thursday to visiting Marshall University. West has started all three games for Duquesne (1-2). The Dukes travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania Saturday to play at Bucknell.