Athletes Beyond Bartow: Busy week of action for local athletes across the nation
Local athletes from all across Bartow County were active in a busy sports week across the nation. The Major League Baseball schedule wrapped up its next-to-final week of the regular season; it was Week 3 of the NFL season; college football has hit full stride; and the college Fall schedules for cross country, volleyball, soccer, and golf are well underway.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (6th yr. pro; LHP; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… made relief appearances Friday and Sunday in a series at the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Friday, he was inserted in the fourth inning with the Rockies up 4-3 but no outs and two runners on base. Howard retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw on a sacrifice bunt and then was touched for back-to-back singles by Enrique Hernandez and Max Muncy as the Dodgers took a 5-4 lead. A.J. Pollack then hit a three-run home run, Cody Bellinger walked, and Howard was removed. He was charged with three earned runs. In Sunday’s appearance, he was inserted with two outs in the eighth, gave up a line drive single by Ian Desmond, and was removed in a 7-4 Dodgers win. In 17 MLB appearances this season, Howard is 1-0 with a 7.20 ERA in 15 innings pitched. He was the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes Pitcher of the Year with 42 appearances, a 4-1 record, and a 3.91 ERA in just over 50 innings pitched prior to rejoining the Rockies in September. Colorado is 67-89 with six games remaining. The Rockies close out the season with a three-game series at San Francisco Tuesday through Thursday and a three-game home set with Milwaukee this weekend.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (5th yr. pro; OLB/DE; Clemson; Adairsville HS)… made three tackles, two solo, and was credited with a half sack in the Falcons’ 27-24 loss Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts. Atlanta (1-2) hosts the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at 1 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (So., RB, Cartersville HS)… had 10 yards rushing in five carries Saturday with a long run of five yards in the NAIA 8th-ranked Eagles’ 14-12 loss at Keiser University (Fla.). Reinhardt (3-1) will play its final non-Mid-South Conference game Saturday at Kennesaw State.
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… finished with 10 total tackles including six solo, but the 15th-ranked Wolves lost at home to Albany State 26-14. West Georgia (2-1) begins Gulf South Conference play Saturday in Melbourne, Florida when the Wolves travel to Florida Tech.
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (So., RB, Adairsville HS)… rushed for 20 yards on three carries including a 12-yard run in the Eagles’ 14-12 loss at Keiser University (Fla.).
TREY CREAMER — Fort Scott CC (So., RB, Cartersville HS)… was credited with one tackle in Saturday’s home 27-7 loss to Hutchinson CC. The Greyhounds (2-1, 2-1) host Independence CC this Saturday.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (So., PK, Cartersville HS)… made a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter, converted a third quarter PAT, and had three kickoffs for a 34.3 yard average (one went out of bounds) in the 49ers’ 52-10 loss at No. 1 Clemson. Charlotte (2-2) begins Conference USA play Saturday afternoon with a Homecoming game against Florida Atlantic.
DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Jr., TE, Cartersville HS)… the former high school offensive lineman has now seed action as a fullback and a tight end at the collegiate level. He played some tight end Saturday in the Tornadoes 27-6 home win over Christopher Newport University. Since their opener was cancelled, this was the first game of the year for Brevard (1-0). The Tornadoes travel to Allen University (SC) Saturday night.
DADRIAN DENNIS — University of the Cumberlands (Fr., WR, Cartersville HS)… did not get in the box score, but was listed as a participant in the NAIA 14th-ranked Patriots’ 45-14 Thursday night win at home over Webber International University (Fla.). UC (2-0) will host Union College (KY) this Saturday night.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Jr., TE, Cartersville HS)… caught a second quarter pass for one yard in the second quarter Saturday during the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide’s 49-7 blowout of visiting Southern Miss. Alabama (4-0) hosts Ole Miss Satuday afternoon.
HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Jr., OL, Woodland HS)… started at right guard Saturday and has played some center for the Skyhawks. Point won for the first time this season at St. Thomas University (Fla.) Saturday, 38-31. Hardin was part of an offensive unit that totaled 263 yards (119 rushing). Point (1-3) entertains NAIA 18th-ranked Bethel University (Tenn.) this Saturday afternoon.
GRANT HARRIS — Victor Valley CC (So., LB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles including two solo and one for a loss, but the Rams lost their home opener to Southwestern CC 41-17 Saturday night. VVCC (1-2) hosts Santa Ana CC this Saturday night.
SEAN HOLTON — Davidson College (Jr., DB, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Wildcats’ 31-29 loss Saturday at Campbell University. The host Camels made a 50-yard field goal with 0:06 remaining after Davidson had taken a 29-28 lead 17 seconds earlier. Davidson (3-1) will try to bounce back from their first loss of the year in two weeks at Morehead State. It will be the Wildcats’ first Pioneer Football League conference game of the year.
BRADY JERNIGAN — Maryville College (TN) (Sr., DL, Woodland HS)… made a third quarter tackle Saturday in the Scots’ 31-10 home loss to Hanover College (IN). Maryville (0-3) plays at Brevard College (NC) October 5 to begin play in the USA South Athletic Conference. EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Jr., DE, Woodland HS)… had seven total tackles, five solo in the Rams’ 41-35 loss to Toledo. CSU (1-3) plays at Utah State Saturday.
BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (So., S, Cartersville HS)… had two tackles Saturday in the Hawks’ 30-23 loss at Fort Valley State. Shorter (0-3) hosts NCAA D-2 top-ranked Valdosta State this Saturday night.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… threw a pair of touchdown passes to Tee Higgins — the first was a 58-yarder on his first attempt of the game — as the No. 1-ranked Tigers cruised to a 52-10 win over visiting Charlotte. In limited playing time due to a big early lead, the starter was 7-for-9 for 94 yards before giving way to two backups. Clemson (4-0, 2-0) travels to North Carolina Saturday.
JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (So., LS, Adairsville HS)… had five PAT snaps, a snap on a missed field goal attempt, and four punt snaps Saturday in the 6th-ranked Owls’ 35-24 win at Missouri State. KSU (3-1) hosts Reinhardt University this Saturday night.
JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (R-Jr., P, Woodland HS)… punted four times Saturday for a 34-yard average in a 26-14 home loss to Albany State. Scifers had a long punt of 49 yards and one punt was for a touchback.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Jr., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… saw action in the 15th-ranked Paladins’ 45-10 home victory over Mercer to open Southern Conference play. Furman (2-2, 1-0) travels to East Tenessee State Saturday afternoon.
CROSS COUNTRY
PARKER BREEDLOVE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… ran 99th overall and seventh for his team as the Eagles placed sixth of 15 colleges and universities at the Atlanta Track Club’s Wingfoot XC Classic Friday night. In the collegiate event won by University of South Alabama, Breedlove completed the 8k course at Sam Smith Park in 29:52. Next for Reinhardt is the Royals XC Challenge in Charlotte, NC October 11.
CHEYENNE SPINKS — University of North Georgia (Fr., Woodland HS)… ran fourth for her team and 25th overall at the Wingfoot XC Classic Friday night in Cartersville. The D2 Nighthawks had an impressive third place team finish among the fourteen college and university teams at the Atlanta Track Club event. Only D1 South Alabama and Samford finished ahead of UNG. Spinks completed the 5k in 19:22. North Georgia will run Friday night at the Queen City Invitational in Charlotte, NC.
VOLLEYBALL
NEDU EVANS — Augusta University (Fr., MH, Cartersville HS)… had four assists in a win over Belmont Abbey last Tuesday and had three digs in a win over Southern Arkansas Saturday. The Jaguars went 4-0 for the week with additional wins over West Alabama and Montevallo. Augusta (9-2) has a home match with Limestone Tuesday night and travels to Shorter Saturday.
GRACE HUNTER — Brewton Parker College (Fr., S, Cartersville HS)… was credited with 11 kills, three assists, and two digs last Wednesday in the Barons’ 3-0 win at Agnes Scott. Hunter added five kills, a service ace, and five digs in a loss at Southeastern University Saturday. BPC (2-12) also had losses during the week at Florida College and against Keiser University, but those match sets were not available. The Barons play at Savannah State Monday night, host Agnes Scott Wednesday, and start Southern States Athletic Associaton conference play Friday night at home against University of Mobile and Saturday against Loyola University (La.).
SOCCER
EMILY COLLUM — Georgia Southwestern University (So., F, Adairsville HS)… played 16 minutes in the first half off the bench last Wednesday as the Hurricanes played Southern Wesleyan to a 3-3 draw. She also came off the bench Saturday for the final 15 minutes of a 2-1 win at Shorter. GSW (2-2-1) hosts Talladega College Wednesday and Albany State Saturday.
HAVYN ISAAC — Georgia Military College (Fr., GK, Adairsville HS)… started in net, played the first half, and made saves on both shots on goal as the Bulldogs blanked Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College last Tuesday 6-0. GMC also beat South Georgia State CC 2-1 Saturday (stats not available at the time of publishing). The Bulldogs (4-2-1, 4-1-1 GCAA) travel to Gordon State Tuesday and host Andrew College Friday.
KURT MOORE — Birmingham Southern College (Sr., GK, Euharlee, GA, Darlington HS)… made four saves in a 3-2 home loss to Belhaven University Saturday as the Panthers slipped to 3-3-1 for the season. BSC plays at Mississippi University for Women Tuesday night and at Hendrix College (Ark.) Saturday.
MARISSA MOWRY — Anderson University (So., MF, Cartersville HS)… started both of the Trojans’ games this past week as they beat Newberry at home 3-1, but lost at Wingate Saturday, 3-0. She played all 45 minutes of the first half Wednesday and logged all 90 minutes of Saturday’s game. Anderson (2-2, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Lander University Wednesday night and Carson-Newman University Saturday night.
MADISON PUTZER — Young Harris College (Jr., MF, Cartersville HS)… subbed in for her twin sister in the 41st minute Saturday and closed out the first half as the Mountain Lions defeated Emmanual (Ga.) 4-2 for their first win of the season.
PAYTON PUTZER — Young Harris College (Jr., MF, Cartersville HS)… scored her first two goals of the season as the Mountain Lions defeated previously unbeaten Emmanuel (Ga.) College 4-2 in a non-conference match Wednesday night. Her first goal came in the eighth minute with a shot in the right corner of the net. Putzer’s insurance goal came off a rebound to put YHC up 4-1 in the 61st minute. She had one other shot in the first five minutes but it was wide. The Mountain Lions (1-4) travel to Flagler College Saturday afternoon for a Peach Belt Conference match.
COURTNEY RHEA — Berry College (So., MF, Cartersville HS)… played 25 minutes at the beginning of the second half in the Vikings’ 3-0 loss at Covenant College last Tuesday night. Berry also played Bellhaven University to a 1-1 draw Saturday. Berry (5-2-1) plays at Sewanee Saturday afternoon to begin Southern Athletic Association conference action.
RUSSELL SHEALY — University of Maryland (R-Fr., GK, Cartersville, GA, Darlington Academy)… made one save in a start and 87 minutes last Monday during a 1-0 win over Villanova. He then made two saves in a 3-1 Big Ten Conference loss at home Saturday to Northwestern. The 25th-ranked Terrapins (3-3, 0-1) host St. John’s Monday and travel to Wisconsin Friday night.
GOLF
LINDSEY BONNER — York College (Pa.) (So., Cartersville HS)… finished 17th overall and had the fourth best score for her team as the Spartans finished fourth in the 10-team, 36-hole Gettysburg Invitational in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania Saturday and Sunday. Bonner shot rounds of 84-85—169 on the Par-74, 5,830-yard Links at Spring Church in Apollo, Pennsylvania. The tournament was won by Carnegie Mellon. York plays Monday and Tuesday at the Bridgewater Fall Invitational hosted by Bridgewater College (Va.).
