By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Sophie Palmer had two hits and scored a pair of runs, and Hadley Smith tossed a no-hitter to lead Union City to an 11-3 middle school softball victory over Gibson County Tuesday at Graham Park.
The Lady Tornadoes recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season and improved to 4-5 in the 2023 campaign with the triumph.
Tied at 2 entering the bottom of the fourth, UC scored nine times in its final two at-bats.
Ella Grace Howell singled and drove in three runs, Taylor Johnson scored three times, and Maddie Steward crossed the plate twice for the Twister girls, who benefitted from six GC errors.
Smith fanned seven in the complete-game pitching victory.
Union City plays at Milan at 5:30 on Thursday.
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
4 Tornado runners medal
A quartet of Union City runners earned medals with solid finishes in the 5K Dyer County Invitational Tuesday.
Woodrow McKinnis was the top Tornado boy, coming in fifth with a time of 20:14. Teammate Rushdon Howell was 14th, clocked at 22:44.
The UC boys were third in the team standings.
Bailey Wagoner ranked sixth among a large field of girls, coming in at 25:23. Briley McKinney was close behind, finishing ninth with a time of 26:25.
The Tornado programs will compete in Milan next Tuesday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Fields, Beard shine again
Brody Fields and Ainsley Beard were standouts once more for the UCMS teams at South Gibson County on Monday.
Fields finished the 1.5-mile course in 10:45 to place fourth in a huge field of 142 runners.
Beard placed 10th among 88 female runners with a time of 13:11.
There were 23 teams entered in the race.
Union City’s next meet is Thursday at Martin, set to begin at 4:45.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Milan 3, UC 0
The Lady Tornadoes ran into a strong Milan bunch and fell 25-19, 25-10, and 25-12 to fall to 1-5.
“We’re still encouraged by what this season can bring,” UC head coach Jody Powell said following the match. “Players are starting to take ownership of their positions and encourage each other.”
Madie Theobald had 15 assists, while both Debrionna Jones and Allysia Davis recorded six blocks. Gracelyn Sims had five blocks and four kills, and Addison Carr recorded four kills and a pair of blocks.
Milan also prevailed in the junior varsity contest, 25-16 and 25-12.
Cricket Washburn led the Twisters in assists, and Davis was good for four kills.
Union City returns home Thursday to host Halls.