It was a busy but productive for Union athletics as the baseball, softball, tennis and powerlifting teams were all in action.
Here’s a rundown of their results from last week.
Baseball
On Tuesday, the Warriors overcame an early deficit and pulled away late to take a 6-3 win over the Yellowjackets. Union led 2-1 after the first while Choctaw added two in the third and one in the fifth and led 4-2. Union scored one in the sixth while Choctaw added two in the bottom of the sixth. Union had five hits in the contest, led by Austin Lee, who was 2-for-3 while Kooper Fultz doubled and walked twice. Rafe Manning and Jacob Freeman each singled and scored a run. Fultz started on the mound and gave up six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three.
On Friday, Union evened the series with a five-run fifth inning to take a 6-2 win. Union scored five in the fifth to put the game away. Union had six hits, led by Mason Tucker, who was 2-for-3 while Kooper Fultz tripled and drove in four runs. Austin Lee, Tanner Watkins and Turner Johnson also singled for Union. Watkins started on the mound and pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six. Jacob Freeman pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
On Saturday, Union hammered Newton 16-1. Union scored four in the first, nine in the second and three in the third to take the win. Union had eight hits in the contest, led by Mason Tucker who was 2-for-3 with a double, triple and six RBIs. Austin lee was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIS while Jackson Flake was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Tanner Watkins scored three runs while Jacob Smith scored twice. Flake started on the mound and pitched three no-hit innings and struck out seven while walking just one.
Softball
The Union Lady Yellowjackets got a much-needed sweep in district play this week as they took two tight games with Eupora.
On Tuesday, Union overcame a slow start and took a 5-3 win over Eupora. Eupora scored three in the first while Union scored four in the third and one in the sixth. Union had five hits as Aspen Lovern was 2-for-2 while Maggie Atkinson singled and drove in three runs. Tiara Campbell also doubled and drove in a run. Alanee Wheeler started in the circle and pitched all seven innings and gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 10.
On Thursday, Union cruised to a 6-1 win. Union scored one in the first, three in the third and added two in the seventh. Union had seven hits in the contest, led by Maggie Atkinson who was 2-for-4 while Tiara Campbell was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. LaCee Bishop also doubled while Destiny Moulds and Abigail Cleveland each singled and scored a run. Alanee Wheeler pitched all seven innings and gave up one unearned run on two hits and two walks while striking out five to get the win.
Tennis
The Union tennis team advanced eight of its 12 players to the Class 1 state tournament.
Union host the Region 5, Class 1 district tournament at East Central on Monday.
Union had three district champions as Ethan Brasher won in boys singles. Cory Smith and Denver McCoy won in mixed doubles and Julia Harrison and Rylee Pullin won in girls doubles.
In boys doubles, Cooper Capps and Jude Feasel were the runners-up in boys doubles while Annley Howell was the runner-up in girls singles.
“After losing a few seniors, I wasn’t sure if we would be returning to the state tournament with eight of our 12 team members as we did last year without having the want, drive, and hard work,” coach Jodi Williams said. “This team has exceeded my expectations, and I am beyond proud of them! Again, we are taking eight of our 12 athletes to compete at the state tournament in Vicksburg, and I cannot wait to see how well they represent Union.”
Also last week, Union hosted Leake Academy and won 4-3. Cooper Capps won 6-0, 6-0 in boys singles while Ethan Brasher and Rylee Pullin won 7-6 (11-9), 6-1 in mixed doubles. Julia Harrison and Ava Smith won 6-2, 6-2 in No. 1 girls doubles while Jude Feasel and Cory Smith won 6-3, 6-0 in No. 1 boy doubles.
