By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Both the Union City Middle School and UC High School baseball teams threw victory parties on Thursday.
The Middle School Tornadoes swept a season-opening doubleheader from visiting West Carroll, triumphing 12-2 and 13-0 in mercy-rule routs.
Union City’s high school squad, meanwhile, gave rookie head coach Austin Atwill his first win after a pair of losses with an 8-0 decision at Bruceton.
Elsewhere on Thursday, UC blanked South Fulton 2-0 in middle school volleyball, while Henry County handed the Tornado middle school soccer team a 7-1 loss in its season opener.
The following is a recap of that action:
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 12-13, West Carroll 2-0
After their season opener was delayed a couple of days, the Twisters got a double helping of victory pie by easily handling WC in a twinbill.
Angel Tinajero went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored to pace Union City in Game 1. Trey Kail had two hits and scored twice, while Brody Fields and Kason Medley crossed the plate two times apiece for the victors.
Medley gave up just one earned run and four singles while fanning six in three innings to get credit for the pitching win. Boston Riley struck out all three batters he faced in relief.
UC scored nine times in the second inning to break a 2-all deadlock.
Riley dominated on the hill as a starter in the nightcap, whiffing seven and giving up a lone single to get credit for the win.
A 10-run outburst in the first sent the Twisters on their way to the three-inning victory.
Grant Mobbs drove in two runs for a UC lineup that had 13 different players to cross the plate.
The Tornadoes will play at Obion County today.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 8, Bruceton 0
Atwill, who was a standout player for the Purple and Gold during his prep playing days and had previously served as an assistant coach for the program, celebrated his initial win as the Tornado skipper.
He can thank Jackson Vowell, who was outstanding on the bump, tossing six shutout innings of four-hit ball to earn the pitching victory. Vowell, a sophomore, struck out three and was backed by errorless defense.
Mason St. Germain finished off the shutout, fanning all three batters he faced in the seventh.
Will Kail doubled twice and drove in two runs to pace a Union City offense that produced nine hits and drew four walks. Sam Jones had a triple in a 2-for-4 night, while Preston Creswell had two hits, including a double, and plated two tallies.
Sam Theobald got aboard four times – three after being plunked by Bruceton pitching. Theobald scored twice, as did Japheth Caldwell, who singled and walked.
Christian Vaughn also reached home plate with two runs for the Twisters.
UC will play host to Trinity Christian Academy on Monday at 5 p.m.
MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 2, South Fulton 0
The Lady Tornadoes won for the third time in eight matches and completed a season sweep of SF.
Union City won Game 1, 25-14, then closed out the match, cruising to a 25-9 triumph.
The Twisters won 39 of 50 service points, led by Kinsley Hopkins.
SF won the jayvee match, 2-0.
UC plays host to Gibson County on Tuesday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER
Henry Co. 7, UC 1
Luis Escobar accounted for the Tornadoes’ lone goal in the second half of their season opener at Paris.
Carlos Rodriguez had a pair of shots on goal for UC – one in each half.
Michael Vallee had four saves in goal.
Union City is scheduled to visit Martin on Monday with match time at 5:30 p.m.