Telegraph Staff Writer
Union County High School’s softball team scored seven runs on bases-loaded walks as part of a 20-run second inning that propelled the Tigers to a 21-0 win over visiting Newberry in 2.5 innings on Feb. 24.
The Tigers (2-0) started the bottom of the second with four straight walks and had a stretch late in the inning where they drew four bases-loaded walks. Union batters, who collectively had only six hits, walked 16 times in all.
Leah Clark also delivered two big hits in the inning: a bases-loaded double that scored all three runners and a triple that scored the Tigers’ final two runs.
The second inning also saw Angela Tucker drive in two runs on a single, while Hailey Rivera and Campbell Webb each had a one-run single. Hannah Rivera also pushed a run across on a sacrifice fly.
Clark, who went 2 for 3, finished with six RBI, while Tucker, Hailey Rivera and Hannah Rivera each had two.
Seven batters had one RBI each: Webb, Brooke Burgess, Mackenzie Clemons, Karson Middleton, Mackenzie Orton, Maggie Thomas and Tamia Young.
Pitchers Lily Neal and Shyla Crowe allowed no hits and no walks.
Union was coming off a game that was a little more dramatic, with Hailey Rivera driving in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh as the Tigers defeated visiting Fort White 2-1 in their season opener.
The game was scoreless until Fort White scored off an error in the top of the sixth.
Clark reached on a bunt single with one out in the seventh. She stole second and then scored on Young’s single into left field to tie it up.
Young advanced to second on the throw and later stole third. After a Nyasia Williams walk, Rivera hit a ball into left field that scored Young.
Rivera finished the game 2 for 3.
Neal started in the circle, giving up no runs in 3.1 innings on one hit and three walks.
Megan Sullivan gave up two hits and one walk in the final 3.2 innings.
The Tigers host Buchholz on Tuesday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. and will travel to play Bell on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m. Union hosts Trenton on Friday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. before traveling to play Santa Fe on Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m.
