By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The Tornado girls’ tennis and softball teams were indeed (Gold)en Thursday.
Both brought home championships in their respective postseason encounters, the UC netters sweeping Halls 4-0 for the Region 7 Small Division title and the Twister softball team claiming the District 13A Tournament crown with a 5-1 victory over South Fulton.
Some perks came with the championships other than the obvious, too.
The Union City tennis team earned the right to host Madison Academic Magnet in next Wednesday’s sectional match that will send the winner on to the state tournament.
UC’s softball triumph, meanwhile, also held double meaning as the Lady Tornadoes will play at home in Monday’s Region 7A Tournament semifinals against Gibson County.
The news was mixed for the Union City soccer team.
The Twisters lost to Gibson County 3-2 in the District 13A championship game at Westview but found out they had earned a spot in next weekend’s sectional round without having to play in the regionals.
Memphis schools in District 14 reportedly opted out of playing this season, sending both UC and GC on to the sectionals. The Tornadoes will travel to Memphis for a sectional match against an unknown opponent at the end of the week.
The following is a recap of Thursday’s games.
HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
UC 4, Halls 0
The Lady Tornadoes (17-6) moved a step closer to their goal of a state tournament berth by dominating Halls for the third time in as many meetings this spring.
The doubles tandems of Shelby Bondurant/Annie Wade and Mimi Jenkins/Molly Kizer were in control from the first serve – winning 8-1 and 8-3, respectively.
In singles play, Erin Gill overcame a slow start to win in straight sets, 7-5-6-2.
UC was awarded a forfeit in the other singles match to close out the shutout.
“We had two good days of practice and I could tell the girls were locked in and focused,” an obviously pleased UC head coach Tom Sisco said of his squad. “The fact we had beaten Halls twice during the season in convincing fashion could have led to some distraction, but we sensed none of that leading up to the match and during warmups.
“Annie (Wade) and Shelby (Bondurant) are playing exceptional tennis, and it showed again in the way they dominated their match. It was also impressive how Mimi and Molly took control early and never allowed (Paris) Taylor and (Erin) McKendree to gather any momentum.
“Erin (Gill) started slow, falling behind 4-1, but once she settled down, she took control to win a hard-fought first set that vaulted her to a convincing second set win.”
Before next week’s sectional team match, Union City’s two doubles teams and district singles champion Gracyn Callicott will play in the individual regional tourney on Monday in Dyersburg.
“Coach (Monty) Mooney and I love this group’s attitude and discipline,” Sisco added. “They celebrated a regional win and then turned their attention to next week’s sectional opponent.”
Doubles
Mimi Jenkins/Molly Kizer vs. Paris Taylor/Erin McKendree 8-3
Shelby Bondurant/Annie Wade vs. Julia Caldwell/Emma Smith 8-1
Singles
Erin Gill vs. Emma Webb 7-5, 6-2
Match # 4 Union City won by forfeit
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
UC 5, SF 1
The Lady Tornadoes completed an impressive three-game run after earlier being bumped to the loser’s bracket, claiming just the third district tourney title in the 28-season history of the program.
UC (18-9) beat the Lady Red Devils on consecutive nights and their long-time rival for the fourth time in five meetings in the process.
Union City continued to swing hot bats vs. SF Thursday, collecting 10 hits. In their last three games, the Purple and Gold laced 38 total hits – 16 of those for extra bases. The Tornadoes did not strike out a single time in Thursday’s contest.
Bayleigh Long tripled and doubled to lead the Lady Twister attack. She also drove in two runs.
Sophie Theobald doubled, singled, and had a pair of RBI. Avery Decker singled twice and scored, and both Anna Lynn Cheatham and Marlee Theobald knocked in runs.
UC jumped in front early with a three-run first inning and never looked back.
Sophie Theobald, a workhorse in the pitching circle in the postseason, struck out 11 and scattered six hits to pick up her seventh win and third vs. SF this spring.
“After we got bumped to loser’s bracket, our kids woke up and so did our bats,” said Lady Tornado head coach J.B. Suiter, who was named Coach of the Year by his league peers. “Execution at the plate along with consistent pitching and defense were keys to our kids taking home the title.
“And I can’t say enough about our kids and assistant coaches. They act as a family and play as one, unselfishly. This was truly a team effort.”
In postgame ceremonies, the Theobald sisters, Cheatham, Long and Bailey Decker were named to the All-District team. Cheatham, Sophie Theobald, Kaitlyn Lamb and Emmaline Qualls were picked for the all-tournament team.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
GC 3, UC 2
The Tornadoes couldn’t hold a pair of leads and were forced to settle for second place in the 13A final at Westview High School.
Miguel Sanchez got Union City on the board first, a little over six minutes into the contest. Sanchez later gave the Twisters a 2-1 lead just before the intermission via a direct kick from 35 yards out.
Gibson County, which had upset No. 1 seed Westview in the semifinals, evened things up just after the break and scored the deciding goal at the 27:11 mark.
“I thought playing a long game Wednesday (vs. McKenzie) took our legs from us, somewhat,” UC head coach John Graham said of his troops.
Sanchez, Jose Godinez and Riley Caudill were named to the All-District team, while Sanchez, Brian Arellano and goalie Ka’Jaylon Bell earned spots on the all-tourney team.
