By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City opened District 14A baseball play with a doubleheader sweep of Gleason Tuesday, winning 15-0 and 12-7 at Elam Stadium.
The Tornadoes, 4-2 overall, erupted for 10 runs in the third to claim a mercy-rule triumph in the opener. UC then built a commanding 10-1 early lead in the nightcap before holding off the visitors.
In Game 1, Barrett Cox (2-0) did not allow a hit, struck out eight, and drove in four runs with a pair of singles to headline the Twisters’ 13-hit attack.
Skylar Hall had two doubles, three RBIs, and three runs scored, and Will Ragsdale went 2-for-3. Brothers Luke and Troy Joslin both tripled, and Tucker Davis singled, doubled, and drove in a run for Union City.
In Game 2, Luke Joslin had two hits and three ribbies, Copeland Chism went 2-for-4 with a triple, and Cox had two hits and scored three runs as the Tornadoes led big after their third at-bat.
Kyler Southerland singled twice and had two RBIs, and UC capitalized on 11 walks and a pair of Gleason errors.
Ragsdale snuffed out a Bulldog rally and ended up with eight strikeouts in a relief role that spanned 3 1/3 innings to get the save. Logan Dawkins was credited with the pitching win.
The Tornadoes will host Crockett County tonight at 6:30.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 14-12, Trenton 2-8
Union City remained perfect with its fifth and sixth victories of the season after taking both ends of a twinbill from visiting Trenton.
Kobe Maddox went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs in the opener as the Twisters ended the contest early after an 11-run second inning.
Jack Theobald doubled, singled, and drove in three runs, while Will Kail contributed a couple of ribbies. Japeth Caldwell tripled, doubled, knocked in two tallies, and scored two more.
Winning pitcher Preston Creswell, who was perfect in two frames, scored three times, and Grady Gurley and Brayden Marshall each crossed the dish twice.
Eight Trenton errors aided Union City in the nightcap.
Maddox smacked an inside-the-park home run and drove in three runs, while Theobald went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Marshall, Creswell, Theobald, and Maddox all scored two times apiece.
Caldwell was the winning pitcher before Kail came on to fan the final two Trenton batters and record the save.
UC will welcome Ripley on Thursday at 6 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
UC 4, Gibson Co. 1
The Tornadoes scored three goals within a five-minute span in the first half and went on to improve to 3-0-2.
Marcos Landeros found the net twice, 80 seconds apart, and Joseph Lattus also scored for UC. Lattus, KhaZarion Scates and Nolan Tucker were all credited with assists.
Landeros set up Adrian Crawford’s goal in the second half to keep the Twisters firmly in control and complete the scoring.
A strong defensive effort kept goalie Jayce Rogers from facing many shots as the senior keeper recorded two saves.
“Defensively, our back four of Cohen Robinson, Nolan Tucker, James Scates, and Ka’Jaylon Bell did an excellent job limiting their shots on goal,” Union City head coach Travis VanHooser said. “Offensively, we moved the ball well and created great opportunities to score.
“I’m very proud of our guys. We played hard the entire match.”
UC will play at Huntingdon on Friday at 6 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Westview 12, UC 0
Two big innings doomed Union City against the reigning Class 2A state champions as Martin scored six unearned runs in the third and tacked on five more tallies in the sixth.
The Lady Tornadoes (1-4) collected just three singles against a trio of Westview pitchers, with Marlee Theobald, Addison Carr, and Mattie Smith responsible for those knocks.
Smith was saddled with the pitching loss, though just one of the seven tallies charged to her line in three innings of work was earned. Carr finished up with three strikeouts in three innings of relief.
UC hosts Dyersburg today at 5 p.m.