Athletes Beyond Bartow: Pro and college updates
The weekly update on local athletes at the professional and collegiate level. This week's updates include professional and college baseball; college softball; pro basketball; and college golf, tennis, and track & field.
PRO BASEBALL
SAM HOWARD — Albuquerque Isotopes (6th yr. pro; LHP; Colorado Rockies’ organization; Triple-A Pacific Coast League; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… made two appearances in home games last week for a total of three innings of work. He tossed a scoreless ninth inning last Tuesday with one strikeout and did not allow a baserunner in a 10-1 loss to Reno. He then worked scoreless seventh and eighth innings Friday night to combine with Ryan Castellani and Jesus Tinoco for a 6-0 shutout of Tacoma. Howard yielded three hits and struck out one. He has now made six relief appearances totaling 10 innings with a 1-0 record and a 3.60 ERA. Albuquerque (11-7) is in second place in the PCL Pacific Southern Division, three games behind Las Vegas.
CONNOR JUSTUS — Mobile BayBears (4th yr. pro; SS/2B; L.A. Angels’ organization; Double-A Southern League; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… had three hits, a walk, and one RBI last week in five games — four at home against Montgomery and one at Pensacola. He currently has a .212 batting average through his first 38 plate appearances. Mobile (6-10, fourth in the Southern League South Division) continues a five-game series at Pensacola through Wednesday and returns home Thursday to host the Mississippi Braves for a five-game set.
SOFTBALL
SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (So., OF, Cass HS)… went 2-for-6 with a double, a walk, and scored three runs in the Chargers’ only doubleheader of the week — a sweep of visiting Andrew College last Thursday. Gani leads the GCAA with a .465 batting average through 41 games. She has 53 hits in 114 at bats with 40 RBI and 15 extra base hits. She was named All-Conference Second Team. GHC (24-16, 15-9) has already qualified for the four-team GCAA Championship Tournament, but has conference doubleheaders this week at home against Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tuesday and West Georgia Tech Saturday.
SYDNEY HODORFF — LaGrange College (Sr., C/Inf., Woodland HS)… went 5-for-18 including a double, a walk, and three RBI in five games last week. The Panthers split a doubleheader at Judson College (AL) in their final regular season games, before dropping their opening round best-of-three conference tournament series at Huntingdon College (AL). LaGrange won one of three games in the series and finished the year with a 16-17 record. Hodorff, who was honored by the USA South Athletic Conference as an All-Sportsmanship recipient, hit for a .271 batting average and hit three home runs with 19 RBI in 31 games her senior season.
HANNAH KNAPP — Talladega College (Jr., C/UT, Adairsville HS)… was 0-for-4 in a pair of home games against Auburn University-Montgomery. The Tornadoes also had a pair of unreported home games with Judson College and close the regular season Tuesday at Hiwassee College. Talladega, an NAIA independent, is 4-26. PARIS POSTON — Columbus State University (Fr., OF, Cartersville HS)… was 2-for-7 with two doubles and scored a run in a home doubleheader sweep last Tuesday of 23rd-ranked Georgia College. The Cougars (31-13, 11-3 Peach Belt Conference) are second in the league behind NCAA D-II 4th-ranked North Georgia and travel to Dahlonega Wednesday for a conference doubleheader. They then close out the regular season Friday and Saturday with PBC doubleheaders at home against UNC-Pembroke and Georgia Southwestern. The conference championship tournament will be May 3-4 at North Georgia.
HANNAH TODD — Kansas University (So., P, Cartersville HS)… made two appearances at 16th-ranked Texas Tech last week in Big 12 Conference games. She was not eligible for a save Thursday but closed out the final inning of a 6-4 win. Todd faced seven batters and allowed only one earned run (three total) on five hits. Friday she recorded the final five outs in a 10-2 loss to the Red Raiders. Todd yielded a pair of earned runs (three total) on three hits and a walk. She rang up one batter. Kansas (15-29, 3-9) hosts Texas for a three-game conference series Friday through Sunday.
ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Sr., P, Cartersville HS)… went five and one-third innings in a home start and 7-4 comeback win Saturday over Mercer. Yantis gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and did not walk a batter. She had one strikeout in a non-decision. Samford (21-26, 10-4 Southern Conference) has a week off before hosting UAB in a non-conference matchup Tuesday, April 30.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
ELLIOTT ANDERSON — Auburn University (Jr., LHP, Cartersville HS)… closed out the final four innings of Auburn’s 5-3 loss to Ole Miss Friday at home. He entered in the sixth inning with the Tigers trailing 3-2 and faced 18 batters. He allowed a pair of earned runs on four hits and two walks and fanned five. For the season, Anderson is 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 37 innings across 18 appearances. He has 41 strikeouts. 25th-ranked Auburn (26-14, 10-8 SEC) was 2-2 last week with a loss to 11th-ranked Georgia Tech and wins in two of three games of a conference series with 19th-ranked Ole Miss. The Tigers travel to Jacksonville State Tuesday and Vanderbilt this weekend for an SEC three-game series.
LEVI AYERS — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… appeared in two games last week for the Chargers tossing a total of six innings. He gave up two earned runs on a pair of hits and four walks last Monday in three and two-thirds innings of a 21-8 win at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He struck out three ABAC batters. Saturday, he allowed two earned runs on two hits in two and one-third innings with a pair of punchouts. Georgia Highlands (27-20, 13-11) begins a four-game conference series with East Georgia CC Tuesday at LakePoint and will finish the series Friday and Saturday in Swainsboro at EGCC.
BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (So., 1B/DH, Cass HS)… went 1-for-3 with a walk in a start last Wednesday and a 7-0 loss at Southern Wesleyan. He also had an unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance Friday at Columbus State in a 6-5 loss. The Mountain Lions salvaged the third game of the series at CSU on Saturday for their only win of the week. YHC (29-16, 15-10 Peach Belt Conference) hosts West Alabama in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday.
NOAH DANIEL — Reinhardt University (So., Inf./OF, Cartersville HS)… entered in the fifth inning to play left field and went 2-for-2 with a run scored last Tuesday in the Eagles’ 12-0 home win over Toccoa Falls College. Reinhardt (23-21, 12-11 Appalachian Athletic Conference) concludes a three game series at Union College (KY) Monday, plays at Cumberland University (TN) Wednesday, and hosts a conference series with Truett-McConnell University Friday and Saturday.
CLIFTON DEMPSEY — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Inf., Cartersville HS)… was 8-for-13 with a grand slam home run, six RBI, and five runs scored in a three-game sweep at Stratford University (VA) last Thursday and Friday. He also went 1-for-5 with a pair of walks and one RBI in a doubleheader loss at Reinhardt University last Tuesday. The Screaming Eagles (21-20) are a National Christian College Athletic Association independent and will host Truett-McConnell University Tuesday before entertaining a three-game series with Piedmont International University (NC) Friday and Saturday.
JOHN REED EVANS — Shorter University (Fr., C/OF, Cartersville HS)… entered to play left field and was 0-for-1 at the plate last Tuesday in a Hawks’ 13-6 win over visiting Clark Atlanta University. Shorter’s three-game home series with Valdosta State for Friday and Saturday was cancelled due to rain. The Hawks (20-19, 11-14 Gulf South Conference) have a home non-conference doubleheader with Miles College Saturday remaining on their schedule.
LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Jr., C, Adairsville HS)… started four of the Wolves’ five games this week as UWG beat Miles, lost to Columbus State, and won two of three Gulf South Conference games with Union University (TN). Griffith was 1-for-13 with a RBI-double and two walks. West Georgia (24-21, 14-12) steps out of conference to play at 13th-ranked North Georgia Tuesday before traveling to Valdosta State Saturday and Sunday for a final GSC regular season three-game series.
HUNTER HICE — USC-Upstate (Fr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… had one pinch hitting appearance last week, but struck out, in a 9-6 home loss Thursday to Campbell. The Spartans split two games with the visiting Camels and had one game of the Big South Conference series cancelled by rain. USC-U (17-21, 5-12) travels to Furman Tuesday and plays a three-game conference series at Longwood Friday through Sunday.
KENNY JINKS — Shorter University (Fr., LHP, Woodland HS)… started and picked up the pitching win last Tuesday over visiting Clark Atlanta University. The southpaw struck out nine and scattered four hits and two walks in allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings. The 13-6 win was Jinks’ second collegiate victory. The Hawks (20-19, 11-14 Gulf South Conference) have a home non-conference doubleheader with Miles College Saturday remaining on their schedule.
HARRISON OSBORN — Point University (So., RHP, Cartersville HS)… made a pair of appearances last week in a week the Skyhawks’ went 1-3. Osborn did not record an out, but faced two fifth inning batters and was charged with two unearned runs last Tuesday in an 8-7 loss at Bluefield (VA). He then faced three seventh inning batters in an 11-10 loss at 2nd-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan last Thursday. Osborn struck out the first batter he faced, but then yielded a double and a walk and was lifted. Point (26-18, 10-12 Appalachian Athletic Conference) completes a conference series at Tennessee Wesleyan Monday then plays at 4th-ranked Faulkner University (AL) Tuesday night prior to a final conference three-game series at St. Andrews University (NC) Friday and Saturday. The AAC Conference Tournament begins Wednesday, May 1 in Kingsport, Tennessee. MASON ROBINSON — Louisiana Tech (R-Sr., OF, Woodland HS)… was 4-for-12 with five walks and one RBI in four starts last week. The Bulldogs won at Louisiana-Monroe and took two of three home games against Marshall. Robinson has a .328 batting average in 131 at-bats this season with three home runs and 20 RBI. Louisiana Tech (27-12, 12-6) hosts Little Rock Tuesday and plays at McNeese State Wednesday before heading to Houston for a three-game Conference-USA series at Rice Friday through Sunday.
TRISTIN SMITH — Young Harris College (Sr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… made a start last Tuesday and was 0-for-2 in a 7-0 home loss to Southern Wesleyan. The Mountain Lions were 1-3 for the week winning the final game of a three-game series at Columbus State on Saturday. YHC (29-16, 15-10 Peach Belt Conference) hosts a non-conference doubleheader with West Alabama Tuesday.
DEVIN WARNER — Auburn University (Fr., Inf., Cartersville HS)… grounded out to first base but moved up two base runners in the ninth inning of an 11-6 loss last Tuesday at 11th-ranked Georgia Tech. The Tigers went 2-2 for the week winning twice at home over 19th-ranked Ole Miss. 25th-ranked Auburn (26-14, 10-8 Southeastern Conference) plays at Jacksonville State Tuesday before traveling to 5th-ranked Vanderbilt for a three-game SEC series in Nashville Thursday through Saturday.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Sr., OF, Adairsville HS)… went 4-for-14 with a walk and stole a base last week in four starts. Young Harris won the final game of a three-game series at Columbus State Saturday and dropped a non-conference game at Southern Wesleyan last Tuesday. Washington has a .317 batting average and 17 RBI in 104 official at-bats across 33 appearances and 26 starts this season. The Mountain Lions (29-16, 15-10 Peach Belt Conference) have a non-conference home doubleheader Tuesday with West Alabama.
PRO BASKETBALL
ELIJAH ROBINSON -- Villa San Martin (1st yr. pro; Argentine League; Emmanuel College; Excel Christian Academy)... led Villa San Martin in scoring in each of the team’s first two playoff games, finishing with 15 points apiece in both contests. He added 11 total rebounds and four combined assists across the two games. Villa San Martin won its postseason opener Friday against Obera TC by a 71-68 final before dropping Sunday’s Game 2 by an 83-75 margin. Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday.
GOLF
LINDSEY BONNER -- York College (So., Cartersville HS)... finished ninth individually in the Capital Athletic Conference tournament to help York win its first league title in only the program’s second year of existence. She shot her best round on Day 3 to push the Spartans past Christopher Newport, beating out the runner-up by a single stroke, 989 to 990. Bonner shot 87, 88 and 83 for a three-day total of 258 — one shot ahead of teammate Emma Harding for fourth on the team. Having placed between sixth and 10th overall, Bonner earned second-team all-CAC honors. Despite winning the conference title, York doesn’t receive automatic selection to the NCAA Division III tournament. However, the program could earn an at-large bid. The Spartans weren’t listed in the most recent rankings on the NCAA website from April 12, but Christoper Newport was No. 23. The tournament field will be announced May 6 ahead of the event, held May 14-17 at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER -- Ball State University (Sr., (Cartersville, GA) Laurel Springs Academy)... While apparently battling a leg injury, Gollhofer had her toughest day of the year in Saturday’s Senior Day matchup against Akron. She came up short on Line 1 doubles, falling by a 6-3 score alongside Victoria Sec. In singles action, Gollhofer dropped a marathon Line 2 match. She overcame a first-set defeat but ultimately lost a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 decision, which allowed Akron to pull out a 4-3 win. Gollhofer will look to heal up ahead of this weekend’s Mid-American Conference tournament. Fourth-seeded Ball State will face No. 5 seed Toledo in the opening round Friday in Buffalo, New York. The Cardinals routed the Rockets 7-0 in the regular season.
TRACK AND FIELD
TREVOR KNOWLES -- Albion College (So., Woodland HS)... landed three top-four finishes in helping Albion finish second Friday in the Wittenburg Invitational. He placed third in both the long jump (6.49 meters) and triple jump (13.13 meters), while finishing fourth in the high jump (1.75 meters).
