The Union Yellowjackets had little trouble in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs, mashing Leland in two games.
The Yellowjackets won 13-0 on Saturday and 21-2 on Monday to sweep the series.
“We’re proud to make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs,” Union coach Dustin Hamrick said. “However, we’re not satisfied. We’ve got to work real hard and get better though if we want to continue because it’s all real good teams from here on out.”
Union is now 14-8 on the season and will face the winner of the Calhoun City and Baldwyn series starting on Thursday but could be pushed to Friday because of rain.
Union 21, Leland 2
The Yellowjackets scored 14 runs in the fourth inning and took a four-inning, run-rule win to sweep the series from Leland on Monday.
Union scored one in the first and third, five in the second and 14 in the fourth. Leland scored two in the third.
Union had 14 hits and drew 12 walks. Rope Lovern was 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs while Henry Thornton was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Kobe Casey was 2-for-2 with two walks, two RBIs and four runs scored. J.T. Vance had three walks, scored three times and hit a grand slam with four RBIs. Jaylon Buckley and Gavin Heath each scored two runs and had two RBIs while Zack Carnell had two walks and scored three runs. Kolton Cockerham had two walks and two RBIs while Kaleb Casey also scored two runs.
Trevor Patchin pitched all four innings for Union, giving up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six.
Union 13, Leland 0
The Yellowjackets scored seven runs in the first and cruised to a run-rule win over Leland on Saturday in Game 1 of the series.
After scoring seven in the first, Union added three in the second and third innings.
Union had six hits, drew five walks and had four hit batters. Henry Thornton was the only multiple hitter, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and four RBIs. Rope Lovern scored two runs and had two RBIs while Kolton Cockerham doubled and scored two runs. Trevor Patchin singled and scored three runs while Kolton Cockerham doubled and scored two runs.
Jaylon Buckley pitched all four innings for the Yellowjackets, giving up one hit and two walks while striking out nine.
Morton 4, Union 1
The Yellowjackets lost a pitcher’s dual on senior night, dropping a three-run decision to the Panthers on Tuesday.
Morton scored single runs in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings while Unon scored one in the third.
Morton outhit Union 3-2 in the contest but the Yellowjackets issued seven walks. Rope Lovern and Gavin Heath each singled four Union and J.T. Vance walked, stole three bases and scored Union’s only run.
Jaylon Buckley, Judd Young, Vance and Trevor Patchin all pitched for the Yellowjackets.
