Special to Ponte Vedra Recorder
Justin Smith has started his professional baseball career.
The Atlanta Braves selected the 21-year-old outfielder in the 20th round of the June draft. The Bartram Trail High School graduate signed June 19, according to MiLB.com, and was assigned June 21 to the rookie affiliate in Danville, Virginia.
Batting in the lower third of the order, he has hit .321 through 10 games and had three runs batted in.
During the spring, Smith led the St. Johns River State College starters by batting .355 in 55 games. He led the team with 15 home runs and three triples and was second with 42 RBIs. He had a .978 fielding percentage in 90 chances.
More baseball
Jacksonville University outfielder John Cassala was named a designated hitter/utility player for the Coastal Plain League All-Star Game. The Bartram Trail alumnus is among five who are representing the Savannah Bananas. He played in 23 of Savannah's first 29 games and started 21. Cassala batted .320 with 13 RBIs, which tied for third on the squad. He led the team with 10 doubles. He batted .207 with 11 RBIs in 22 games for Jacksonville.
Trinity College pitcher Anthony Egeln Jr. had a 2-0 record in 10 relief appearances for Green Bay in the Northwoods League. The Ponte Vedra High School graduate had a 7.04 earned run average.
Women's golf
Former Purdue University standout August Kim nearly won her first professional event. The Allen D. Nease High School graduate was tied for third entering Sunday's final round of the Donald Ross Centennial Classic on the Symetra Tour. But she did not prevail in a three-hole playoff. She shot a 201 (71-66-64) to place second- her best finish in four Symetra events- and earned $19,053.
Bartram Trail product Ella Woods shot a 250 (81-86-83) in the Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship. She has signed to compete for James Madison University.
Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.
