BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Four pitchers combined to allow five hits, while four players drive in at least two runs each in the Union County High School baseball team’s 11-3 win over host Bradford on April 9.
Union starting pitcher Kacen Thomassen gave up three runs, five hits and one walk through four innings. He had five strikeouts in helping the Tigers end a two-game losing streak.
Preston Bonsall, Clayton Poppell and Devin Diggs each pitched one inning for the Tigers, combining to allow no hits. Bonsall had three strikeouts.
The Tigers (10-10) scored the game’s first two runs. Bonsall led off the top of the first with a single and stole second and third before scoring on Thomassen’s double. Courtesy runner Bo Wilson scored on a two-out single from Jake Walker.
Bradford (6-8) scored the next three runs.
Jeffrey Brugh led off the bottom of the first with a double and scored on a Mattox Burgin single.
In the second, Patrick Pendarvis walked, while Denver Hudson singled. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Wynn. Brugh, who went 2 for 3 with two RBI, drove in both runners on a two-out single, putting the Tornadoes ahead 3-2.
Union then scored at least two runs in each of the next four innings.
Thomassen walked to lead off the third. Courtesy runner Wilson stole second and advanced to third on a ground out by Foster Smith. Walker hit a ground ball to score Wilson and reached on an error. Trenton Klein later hit a two-out triple to score another run and make the score 4-3.
The Tigers led off the fourth with three consecutive singles, with Diggs scoring on the second, which was hit by Bonsall. After a fly out, Smith hit a single to bring home two runs, putting Union up 7-3.
Klein and Diggs reached in the fifth on a single and a walk, respectively. Both scored when Bonsall, who went 3 for 4 with three RBI, hit a single.
Union loaded the bases in the sixth when Walker walked, Riggs Davis doubled and Klein was hit by a pitch. Two runs scored when Landen Miller ground into a fielder’s choice.
Diggs and Klein each finished 2 for 3, while Lasseter went 2 for 5.
The Tigers got two RBI each from Miller, Smith and Walker, while Klein and Thomassen each had one.
Union hosts University Christian on Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m. and will then host Taylor County on Tuesday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Bradford returns to action with a road game against Hamilton County on Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m. The Tornadoes host Baker County on Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m. and then travel to play Fort White on Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m.
The Tornadoes return home to play Keystone Heights on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m.
