Athletes Beyond Bartow: Local collegiate softball pitchers earn wins
A pair of former Cartersville High School softball pitchers picked up their initial wins of the season this past week while MLB Spring Training begins to wrap up and a pair of local collegiate hitters remained hot at the plate. Former Lady Canes' hurlers Hannah Todd (Kansas University) and Annalyn Yantis (Samford University) both earned their first pitching wins of the 2019 season last week. In professional baseball, the Colorado Rockies made plans for Sam Howard to begin the 2019 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes while middle infielder Connor Justus of the Los Angeles Angels organization winds down his career-best Cactus League season. In college baseball, former Adairsville Tiger Tristin Smith continued a hot hitting streak with Young Harris College and former Woodland High School standout Mason Robinson has raised his batting average to .389 for Lousiana Tech.
_____________ NOTE: Compiled by Charles Wilson of Bartow Sports Zone and Nicholas Sullivan of The Daily Tribune News.
PRO BASEBALL
SAM HOWARD — Albuquerque Isotopes (6th yr. pro; Colorado Rockies organization; LHP; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… the Rockies made some of their final roster moves this past week assigning Howard to Triple-A. Howard appeared in four games with the MLB club this spring working four innings with a 2.25 ERA and one strikeout. The Isotopes will open the 2019 season at home April 4 with a five-game series against the Salt Lake Bees.
CONNOR JUSTUS — Los Angeles Angels (4th yr. pro; MIF; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… entered to play shortstop, had a base hit in his only at-bat, and scored a run last Friday in the Angels’ 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. He also had a single in his only plate appearance Saturday during the Angels’ 11-4 loss to the San Diego Padres. Justus has appeared in 15 spring training games with the MLB club and has a .389 batting average in 18 at-bats with two walks and two extra base hits. He is expected to open the 2019 season at Class AA Mobile of the Southern League.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
ELLIOTT ANDERSON — Auburn University (Jr., LHP, Cartersville HS)… made two appearances in this past weekend’s SEC series at Mississippi State. Anderson retired the final two outs of the seventh inning Friday night with one strikeout and was credited with his fourth pitching win of the year. He started on the mound Sunday and worked two and two-thirds innings allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk. He received no decision and struck out two in a game the Tigers eventually lost 20-15. 12th-ranked Auburn (20-4, 4-2) plays Alabama Tuesday night in Montgomery and travels to South Carolina this weekend for a three-game series.
LEVI AYERS — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… worked two and one-third innings last Tuesday in the Chargers’ 13-3 loss at Gordon State CC. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Georgia Highlands (19-13, 7-6) plays four games this week against South Georgia State. Tuesday’s game is at LakePoint with the final three games of the series Friday and Saturday on the road. BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (So., DH/1B, Cass HS)… battling a recent hand injury, Campbell made a start for the first time in two weeks last Wednesday at home in a 5-4 loss to Lee University. Campbell was 0-for-3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in five plate appearances. The Mountain Lions (19-10, 8-5) were 2-2 for the week with both wins at conference foe Flagler College. The schedule this week includes a game Wednesday at Carson-Newman and a three-game series Saturday and Sunday at home against Georgia Southwestern State.
CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (So., OF, Cartersville HS)… came off the bench to play left field and failed to reach base with one at-bat in each game Saturday and Sunday at University of North Georgia. The Jaguars won a mid-week game last Wednesday at Anderson University but lost all three conference games over the weekend at North Georgia. Augusta (14-15, 4-14 Peach Belt Conference) play at Newberry Tuesday, host USC-Aiken at SRP Park Thursday, and then host a three-game series with Lander Friday through Sunday at Jaguar Field. JOHN REED EVANS — Shorter University (Fr., C/OF, Cartersville HS)… had a pinch hitting appearance but failed to reach last Tuesday during a 9-2 loss at Lincoln Memorial. The Hawks also took two of three conference games at home over the weekend against Union University. Shorter (16-12, 9-8 Gulf South Conference) hosts Emmanuel College Tuesday afternoon before traveling to University of West Florida for three games this weekend.
LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Jr., C, Adairsville HS)… was 1-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored in Sunday’s 7-2 win over University of Montevallo. Griffith was 0-for-6 in his two other games played last week although he walked three times and scored a run in an 8-7 win Tuesday at Emmanuel. The Wolves (12-17, 8-9 Gulf South Conference) play out of conference Tuesday at Georgia Southwestern before hosting Lee University this weekend for a GSC three-game series. HUNTER HICE — University of South Carolina-Upstate (Fr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… struck out in his only plate appearance last week. It was a pinch hitting role in a 4-2 home loss to High Point University. USC-U (11-13, 2-4 Big South Conference) was 2-2 for the week winning one of three against High Point and a win last Tuesday over Lafayette. The Spartans host Gardner-Webb this weekend in a three-game conference series.
KENNY JINKS — Shorter University (Fr., LHP, Woodland HS)… made an eighth inning appearance last Tuesday in the Hawks’ 9-2 loss at Lincoln Memorial. He allowed no runs on two hits and a walk in the inning with one strikeout. Shorter (16-12, 9-8) hosts Emmanuel College Tuesday before heading to Pensacola for a three-game Gulf South Conference series this weekend at University of West Florida.
HARRISON OSBORN — Point University (So., RHP, Cartersville HS)… went five innings in a no-decision start last Tuesday as the Skyhawks knocked off NAIA 2nd-ranked Faulkner University in West Point. Osborn yielded two earned runs on five hits and a walk. He fanned two of the 17 batters he faced but left the game with his team trailing 2-0. Point came from behind to win 5-4. Point was 3-1 last week also winning two of three at Milligan College. The Skyhawks (21-11, 6-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play a doubleheader at Toccoa Falls College Tuesday and host a three-game conference series with 14th-ranked Bryan College (TN) this weekend.
MASON ROBINSON — Louisiana Tech (R-Sr., OF, Woodland HS)… went 7-for-15 this past week with a walk, a double, and four RBI as the Bulldogs won three of four games. Robinson raised his season batting average to .359 with three homers and 18 RBI. Louisiana Tech won two of three Conference USA games at Middle Tennessee over the weekend and also beat Mississippi Valley State last Tuesday. The Bulldogs (14-9, 2-4) host Louisiana-Monroe Tuesday night and entertain UAB in a three-game conference series this weekend.
TRISTIN SMITH — Young Harris College (Sr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… has now hit safely in eight straight games and 14 of his last 16 games. Smith had one hit in each of the Mountain Lions’ four games this past week with one walk. YHC won two of three at Flagler College in a Peach Belt Conference series and lost a mid-week home game to Lee University. Smith has a .293 batting average in 82 at-bats for the season. He has made 25 appearances and 20 starts with one home run and 13 RBI. The Mountain Lions (19-10, 8-5) travel to Carson-Newan Wednesday and host a three-game set with Georgia Southwestern this weekend.
DEVIN WARNER — Auburn University (Fr., Inf., Cartersville HS)… made a ninth inning pinch hitting appearance Saturday in a 15-2 loss at Mississippi State. Warner grounded out to the pitcher. Auburn (20-4, 4-2 SEC) will face rival Alabama Tuesday night in Montgomery before making the trip to South Carolina for a three-game weekend series.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Sr., OF, Adairsville HS)… went 5-for-12 with a double, a walk, and two RBI in a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Flagler College last weekend. The Mountain Lions won two of the three games. Young Harris (19-10, 8-5) plays at Carson-Newman Wednesday before entertaining a weekend conference series with Georgia Southwestern.
CAUY WILLIAMS — Wallace State-Dothan CC (Fr., RHP, Woodland HS)… started and picked up his first collegiate win last Monday over the Point University JV. Williams went three shutout innings with no walks and three strikeouts in the 11-0 victory. He also made a one inning relief appearance Saturday in a 16-8 win at Coastal Alabama East CC. He allowed one unearned run on two hits and had one strikeout. WSDCC (23-5, 10-2 Alabama Community College Athletic Conference) takes a seven game winning streak into a doubleheader Monday at West Georgia Tech CC. The Governors also play Central Alabama CC Tuesday in Ozark, Alabama.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
SARAH FOX — Agnes Scott College (Fr., Inf., Cass HS)… was 0-for-7 this week at the plate and the Scotties were winless in six games with doubleheader losses to Piedmont, Brevard, and Maryville (TN). Agnes Scott (2-20, 2-10 USA South Athletic Conference) hosts Covenant College Wednesday and plays at Mississippi University for Women Saturday.
SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Inf., Cass HS)… was 5-for-8 Saturday with a home run, double, and four RBI in a doubleheader split at conference foe West Georgia Tech. Through 27 games this season, Gani leads the Chargers in batting average (.481), RBIs (31), and is tied for the team lead in extra base hits (12). Georgia Highlands (13-13, 5-5 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) plays a non-conference doubleheader Monday at Thomas University JV and plays at South Georgia State CC Wednesday afternoon.
SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Sr., C/Inf., Woodland HS)… played in five of the Panthers’ six games last week and was 4-for-12 at the plate with a home run, a double, and two RBI. She also drew four walks. LaGrange was 4-2 for the week with two wins at Wesleyan, two wins at Covenant, and a pair of losses at Emory. The Panthers (6-6, 2-2 USA South Athletic Conference) host Huntingdon College Thursday and Maryville College (TN) Saturday. HANNAH KNAPP — Talladega College (Jr., C/UT, Adairsville HS)… was 3-for-11 last week in four games where the Tornadoes lost twice at Truett McConnell University and split a doubleheader with University of West Alabama JV. Talladega (4-18) hosts Hiwassee College Monday and Judson College Friday in doubleheaders.
PARIS POSTON — Columbus State University (Fr., OF, Cartersville HS)… was 3-for-12 last week with two RBI in the Cougars’ four games. Poston has appeared in 30 of 33 games this season with 29 starts. She has a .253 batting average with 11 RBI. CSU split a home doubleheader last Wednesday with Emmanuel College and swept a pair of conference games Sunday at Augusta University. Columbus State (23-10, 5-1 Peach Belt Conference) plays at Auburn-Montgomery Wednesday night and hosts Flagler College Saturday in a PBC doubleheader.
HANNAH TODD — Kansas University (So., RHP, Cartersville HS)… earned her first career save by working a scoreless seventh inning last Friday as the Jayhawks defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay 5-4. Todd retired the side in order with one strikeout and a pair of groundouts. On Saturday, she picked up her first win in relief tossing five and two-thirds shutout innings again in another 5-4 win over Wisconsin-Green Bay. It was her longest pitching stint of the season. Todd scattered three hits and two walks while fanning one of the 23 batters she faced. The Jayhawks were 3-1 for the week falling to Wichita State last Wednesday but sweeping three games with Green Bay. Kansas (11-20) opens Big 12 Conference play at home this weekend with a three-game series against Baylor.
ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Sr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… picked up her first two pitching wins of the year in back-to-back complete game performances last week. Yantis collected her first win with a five inning 11-3 win over Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. She allowed three earned runs on five hits. She issued no walks and struck out two. Saturday, the right hander went all seven innings in a 5-2 victory at UNC-Greensboro. She allowed a pair of earned runs on six hits, four walks, and one hit batsman. Yantis fanned three. In a start on Sunday, she went three and one-third innings for a no-decision. She allowed four earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout as the Bulldogs beat UNCG, 7-4. Samford (13-22, 2-1 Southern Conference) hosts Furman for a three-game SoCon series this weekend.
PRO BASKETBALL A.J. Mosby (Erie Bayhawks, NBA G League; Cartersville) — The Bayhawks finished out their season with a trio of home wins this past week. Mosby saw 22 minutes in a victory over Maine, finishing with three points, four rebounds and five assists. He finished a team-best plus-19 in the win Wednesday. Two nights later, Mosby connected on all three of his shot attempts to finish with six points in 13 minutes, as Erie knocked off Windy City. In Saturday’s season finale against Westchester, Mosby saw just six minutes, scoring two points with two rebounds in a 123-122 double-overtime win. Elijah Robinson (Villa San Martin, Argentina; Excel Christian) — After coming off the bench in Villa San Martin’s previous two games, Robinson returned to the starting lineup this past week and returned to form in a pair of wins. Facing Deportivo Norte on Thursday, Robinson racked up 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in an 89-87 victory. In Saturday’s 90-79 win over Opera TC, he contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
ASHTON HAGANS (Kentucky Fr., Cartersville native) — Hagans and No. 2 seed Kentucky advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with wins over 15th-seeded Abilene Christian (79-44 on Thursday) and seventh-seeded Wofford (62-56 on Saturday) in Jacksonville, Florida. Hagans had a quiet game Thursday, posting four points and the same number of rebounds and assists. His contributions Saturday were key to helping the Wildcats overcome a tough Terriers team. Hagans finished with 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting with five rebounds and four assists. In the Sweet 16, Kentucky will face No. 3 seed Houston at 9:59 p.m. Friday in the Midwest Regional at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. JAYLON PUGH (Furman Fr., Cartersville) — Furman dropped its NIT opening-round game to Wichita State by a 76-70 final score. Pugh did not feature in the game, which ended the Paladins’ historic season with a 25-8 record.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER (Ball State Sr., Cartersville native) — Gollhofer had another flawless weekend, but the Cardinals had to settle for a 1-1 finish, splitting their first two Mid-American Conference matches of the season. On Friday, Gollhofer and Isabelle Dohanics paired up for a 6-1 victory on Line 3 doubles. However, the other two Ball State lines lost, handing Western Michigan what proved to be the tie-breaking point. Even Gollhofer’s 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) Line 3 singles win couldn’t help the Cardinals avoid a 4-3 defeat. On Sunday, Ball State shut out Toledo, 7-0. Gollhofer produced a 6-3, 6-4 singles win. Her Line 2 doubles match with Dohanics was called after Ball State had won the other two lines to secure the point.
TRACK AND FIELD TREVOR KNOWLES (Albion So., Woodland) — Knowles put together a great all-around performance during Saturday’s meet at Indiana Wesleyan. He earned two second-place individual finishes (high jump and long jump) and also joined up with some teammates for a fifth-place showing in the 4x400 relay.
