BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Erick Lasseter hit a two-run single as part of a three-run fifth inning that helped the Union County High School baseball team defeat visiting Williston 6-3 on Feb. 21.
The Tigers (5-1) have won five straight after dropping their season opener.
Union scored two runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead. With two outs and no one on, Jeffrey Brugh singled and advanced to third on an error. Devin Diggs reached on an error that scored Brugh and then scored when Lasseter reached on an error.
It was 3-2 when the Tigers added three more runs in the fifth. Brezdyn Browning and Brugh hit consecutive singles, while Diggs walked to load the bases. Two runs scored on a Lasseter single, while Diggs scored Union’s final run on a steal of home.
Lasseter finished with two RBI, while Browning and Brugh went 2 for 3 and 2 for 4, respectively.
Starting pitcher Kacen Thomassen gave up three runs (two earned), four hits and no walks in six innings. He had five strikeouts.
Jake Walker closed it out, allowing no hits and striking out three in the final inning.
The win capped a 3-0 week for the Tigers that began with a 13-5 win at Nease on Feb. 18.
Starting pitcher Lasseter allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks, while striking out six.
Landen Miller pitched the remainder of the game, giving up one run and two hits.
The Tigers had two big innings offensively, beginning with a five-run second. Foster Smith was hit by a pitch before Thomassen and Miller each singled, with Miller’s hit scoring a run. Bo Wilson hit a two-run double to make it 3-0. After a Browning single, Brugh drove in a run on a ground out, while Trenton Klein drove in another on a single, giving the Tigers a 5-0 advantage.
Union made it a 12-1 game when it scored seven runs in the sixth. Thomassen walked, while Miller reached on an error. Diggs, who entered to run for Thomassen, and Miller each stole a base before Diggs scored on a balk and Miller scored on a passed ball. Browning reached on an error, while Brugh singled. Another error allowed Klein to reach and a run to score. Lasseter then hit a two-run single to make it 10-1.
The inning continued when Walker singled and Smith was hit by a pitch. Thomassen hti a sacrifice fly to score a run, while Miller drove in another on a single.
Lasseter, who finished with three RBI, drove in the final run on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Thomassen went 2 for 2, while Klein and Miller each went 2 for 4. Brugh finished 2 for 5.
On Feb. 20, the Tigers scored four runs in the top of the seventh to defeat host West Nassau 5-2.
Diggs hit a single to lead off the seventh. Ayden Androlevich walked, while Brugh singled, loading the bases. Diggs scored on a wild pitch to tie it up at 2-2. Klein and Lasseter drew back-to-back walks, with Lasseter’s walk forcing a run in. Walker drove in the team’s fourth run on a single, while Smith plated the final run on a sacrifice fly.
Lasseter finished with two RBI, while Smith and Walker each had one.
Brugh went 2 for 3.
Smith got the start on the mound, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk.
Walker threw the final inning, giving up no hits and striking out one.
Union was supposed to play at Dunnellon on Monday, Feb. 24, but the game was postponed until Wednesday, Feb. 26, because of the weather. That game will start at 7 p.m.
The Tigers will travel to Ocala to play Trinity Catholic on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. and then travel to play Oakleaf on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m.
