BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Union County High School’s baseball team scored in every inning and got a grand slam from Ayden Androlevich as part of a five-run fourth in defeating host Trenton 20-7 on March 14.
Androlevich’s long ball put the Tigers up 12-3 as they went on to score 20 runs for the second time in four days. They defeated Nease 20-6 on March 11.
Union () got off to a fast start, scoring four runs in the first. Preston Bonsall hit a leadoff double and eventually scored on a passed ball. Devin Diggs and Foster Smith each hit an RBI single, while Erick Lasseter, who walked, scored on a wild pitch.
The Tigers had two outs and no one on in the fourth when Smith was hit by a pitch. Jake Walker singled before Kacen Thomassen hit a double to score Smith. Diggs then drew a walk to load the bases, setting the stage for Androlevich’s grand slam, which came off a 2-1 pitch and went over the fence in center.
Androlevich finished 2 for 4 with four RBI.
Union scored its final six runs in the seventh inning, with Bonsall and Jesse Chaiken each hitting an RBI double. Riggs Davis drove in a run on a single, while the Tigers also scored runs on a bases-loaded balk and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Walker.
Diggs finished with three RBI, while Davis and Walker (3 for 4) each had two. Bonsall (3 for 5), Chaiken, Smith, Thomassen and Trenton Klein (2 for 4) each drove in one run.
Androlevich started on the mound, allowing four runs (three earned) and five hits through four innings. Davis and Diggs each threw one scoreless inning, with Diggs striking out two of the game’s final three batters.
The Tigers entered the game off a 15-8, 11-inning loss to visiting Suwannee on March 12.
Davis, who went 4 for 5 with three RBI, hit a bases-loaded double in the third to score all three runners and put Union ahead 5-2.
Suwannee took advantage of a hit batter, a walk and a sacrifice fly to score two runs in the top of the seventh to go up 6-5.
Landen Miller hit a single to lead off the bottom of the seventh and moved to second on Davis’ sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Klein hit a single, while Lasseter walked. Miller scored on a wild pitch to tie the score before the inning ended on a strikeout.
Each team scored a run each in the eighth and ninth innings. The Tigers got an RBI single from Davis in the eighth. In the ninth, Lasseter walked, advanced to second on a Walker single and to third on a passed ball. He scored on an error.
After a scoreless 10th, the Bulldogs scored seven runs in the 11th off seven singles and a sacrifice fly.
Walker and Miller went 3 for 5 and 3 for 6, respectively, while Lasseter went 2 for 3 with a double. Thomassen went 2 for 6.
Bonsall and Smith each hit a double.
Union returns to action with a home game against Oakleaf on Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. The Tigers travel to play West Nassau on Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, April 2, Union plays Williston on the road at 6:30 p.m.
