BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Union County High School starting pitcher Tre’Von Lee gave up one run through six innings, while Devin Diggs and Ayden Elixson each drove in two runs in the Tigers’ 7-5 win over visiting Bradford on March 9.
Lee struck out seven and allowed just three hits before exiting the game with his team leading 7-1. The Tornadoes scored four runs in the seventh off two wild pitches, an error and a single.
Bradford (1-6) scored in the first inning, with Jeffrey Brugh reaching on an error, stealing two bases and scoring on an error.
The Tigers (5-1) put two on with one out in the bottom of the first and had the bases loaded with two outs, but failed to score.
Lee found himself pitching with two runners on with one out in the top of the second, but he recorded two straight strikeouts to keep Bradford from increasing its lead.
Union scored and took the lead in the bottom of the second. Leadoff batter Ethan Moody was hit by a pitch and advanced two bases on a steal and an error. He scored on a Diggs single. After Jeremy Miller walked, Diggs scored on an Elixson single. Miller would eventually come around to score on a Lee double as the Tigers took a 3-1 lead.
Lee finished 2 for 4 at the plate.
The Tigers had a two-run third inning. Moody hit a double and scored on Bryson Huggins’ triple. Huggins scored on a sacrifice fly by Diggs.
With two outs in the fourth, Union’s Tucker Hardee walked, stole second, advanced to third on Blake Agner’s single and scored on a passed ball to make the score 6-1.
Elixson, who went 2 for 4, scored the Tigers’ final run with a home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth.
Bradford made it interesting in the seventh. Leadoff batter Kevin Crawford walked and advanced two bases on a single by Breion Johnson. Crawford eventually scored on an error before Matthew Stafford reached on a walk. With one out, Johnson scored on a wild pitch. Ryland Rike then drew a walk to put runners at the corners. One out later, Stafford scored on a wild pitch. Luke Stucky then hit an RBI single to make it a two-run game.
The Tornadoes had two runners on after Avery Burgin walked. Stucky advanced to third on a wild pitch before Union pitcher Clayton Poppell recorded a strikeout to end the game.
Johnson and Stucky finished 2 for 2 and 2 for 4, respectively.
Bradford starting pitcher Cason Pilcher struck out six in four innings.
Union entered the game off a 12-0, six-inning win over host Gainesville on March 7, with starting pitcher Diggs giving up two hits and two walks, while striking out eight in five innings.
Carson Rogers pitched the final inning, giving up no hits and no walks, while striking out one.
The Tigers had a seven-run fifth inning that saw Riggs Davis hit an RBI single and Hardee drive in a run on a sacrifice fly. Miller drew a bases-loaded walk, while Union also scored runs on two passed balls, a wild pitch and an error.
Five of Union’s eight hits occurred in a four-run sixth inning. Agner, Elixson, Lee and Preston Bonsall each hit an RBI single.
Elixson finished with two RBI, while Diggs went 2 for 3.
Union hosts Dunnellon on Monday, March 13, at 6 p.m. before traveling to play Suwannee on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
Bradford plays three straight home games: Hamilton County on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m., Belleview on Wednesday, March 15, at 6 p.m. and Middleburg on Thursday, March 16, at 7 p.m. The Tornadoes then travel to play Columbia on Friday, March 17, at 7 p.m.
