Howards starring
Former Bryan County High School standout Tiffany Howard went 4-for-4 for Auburn it the Tigers’ 8-1 win over No. 15 Georgia on Sunday in Athens.
The win for No. 23 Auburn broke a nine-game losing streak and was the program’s first over the Bulldogs since 2012 and, combined with Auburn’s win over Alabama State on Wednesday, improved Auburn to 34-14-1 prior to Friday’s game against Texas A&M in another SEC matchup.
Howard ‘s perfect day was a new career high for the sophomore, who has started all 49 games for the Tigers. She is hitting .288 and leads the team in stolen bases with three while appearing in the top five in a number of categories after making the SEC All-Freshman team in 2013.
Howard’s older sister, Samantha, is also a former BCHS standout. She’s a senior shortstop at Morehead State University and scored the winning run in an April 19 win over Murray State in an Ohio Valley Contest.
Fitzgerald leads Maroon in spring game
Former Richmond Hill High School football standout Nick Fitzgerald may not get the attention given his more celebrated teammate, sophomore quarterback Dak Prescott, but the 6-foot-5 true freshman and reigning Region 3-AAAAA offensive player of the year outpassed Prescott in Mississippi State’s Maroon-White Spring Game. Fitzgerald, playing for the Maroon, completed 17-of-26 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for a score in the Maroon’s 41-38 win over the White on April 12 in Starkville.
Marsh among NAIA leaders
Brenau sophomore shorstop Cheyenne Marsh, a former Richmond Hill High School standout, is hitting .260 with a team-high four triples and 16 RBI for the Golden Tigers, who are 30-11 overall. She ranks in the top 50 nationally in NAIA in triples.
Ward 2-1 for Pirates
Former Richmond Hill High School standout Nathan Ward is 2-1 for Armstrong Atlantic State University so far this season. Ward has pitched 21-2/3 innings for the Peach Belt Conference Pirates, allowing 17 hits and 11 runs, only eight earned, while notching 16 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .212 average. Fellow RHHS product Ryan Esenwein is also pitching at AASU. He has three appearances for the Pirates, notching four strikeouts and giving up 10 hits in 3.2 innings pitched. Armstrong is 25-15 overall and 15-12 in the Peach Belt.
— staff report