The Union University baseball team defeated Christian Brothers University in a double-header on Saturday afternoon. Union won 8-3 in the first game, and in the second game the Bulldogs won 17-3.
Union improved to 15-32 overall and 7-22 in the Gulf South Conference. Christian Brothers dropped to 9-35 overall and 5-23 in conference play.
According to a press release, in game one, CBU scored one run in the first inning, and Nolen Milton doubled to bring in Josh Frantz. In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs scored five runs off hits from Milton, Jesse Kelley, Spencer Schultz and Zane Phillips. In the eighth inning, Schultz doubled to center field, bringing in Hayden Lewis. CBU scored two runs in the ninth, making the final score 8-3.
Ryan Mets earned the win for Union, tossing 8.1 innings with four strikeouts and five walks. Walker Adkisson tossed for .2 innings.
Phillips led Union with three hits. Milton, Kelley, and Schultz had three hits.
In game 2, Union scored two runs in the first inning. In the second inning, Caleb DeMarigny doubled down the right field line to bring in Dacoda Stone. Milton homered to centerfield in the third inning. In the fourth, DeMarigny hit another double to bring in Stone, and Milton homered to left field bringing DeMarigny and Frantz. Christian Brothers scored two runs in the fifth inning. In the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs added five more runs including a three run homer by Phillips. CBU scored their final run of the game in the sixth. In the sixth inning, Frantz and Stone scored off a double by DeMarigny, and the final run came from DeMarigny, making the final score 17-3. Union was led by DeMarigny with four hits, and Frantz and Lewis had three.
Scott Shearer earned the win, tossing 5.0 innings with two strikeouts and zero walks. Kory Pollard tossed 1.2 innings with one strikeout, and Luis Larrinaga tossed .1 innings with one strikeout.
The Bulldogs finish the season against Christian Brothers at 1 p.m., Sunday.
Union softball
The Union University softball program earned a double-header split versus Christian Brothers University Saturday at Fesmire Field.
According to a press release, it is the final regular season weekend of the season. Union won the first game 5-4 and dropped the second game 2-1.
The win in game one was coupled with losses from other teams competing for the final few spots in the tournament, sealed the No. 7 seed in the Gulf South Conference Tournament. This marks just the second GSC Tournament appearance for Union softball since becoming postseason eligible in 2015 after moving from NAIA to NCAA. The 2015 season was the only other appearance when Union earned a 5-seed. Union was 0-2 in that GSC Tournament.
In game one, CBU took a 2-0 lead before Union rallied with five unanswered runs to lead 5-2. The big blow was a three-run home run from Kaitlyn Kelley in the second inning to break a 2-2 tie. Parker Davis (12-8) earned the complete game victory, tossing seven innings with four runs on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts. Alyssa Ward and Sarah Smith led with two hits each.
Game two had CBU jumping out to a 2-0 lead again. However, this time, Union could not put together a rally. Union left 10 runners on base in game two, scoring its only run on a wild pitch. Union outhit CBU 7-4 in game two. Kelley and Taylor Manley led with two hits each. Gabby Morris (10-15) took the tough loss, despite strikeout out 12 hitters with no walks and two hits. Both runs allowed were unearned runs.
Union improved to 28-23 overall and 13-16 in the GSC. Christian Brothers went to 11-37 overall and 2-25 in league play.
The teams will complete the series April 28 at 2 p.m. at Union. Union will then advance to the GSC Tournament next week in Pensacola, Fla. at the University of West Florida. The tournament is May 2-5.
(PHOTO: Union freshman Kaitlyn Kelley, a freshman from Lexington – courtesy Union University Sports Communication)
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