By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City’s delayed season-opening softball game was well worth the wait.
The Lady Tornadoes – who had their opener postponed Monday by Gibson County – sent a dozen batters to the plate in an eight-run third inning on their way to a 10-3 Game 1 win over Halls on Thursday.
Freshman Hadley Smith enjoyed a stellar high school debut, driving in three runs with a pair of hits and tossing five innings for the pitching victory. Hadley’s sister, Mattie, finished off the triumph with a pair of no-hit innings, striking out three in the circle against a team that ended the Twisters’ season last year in the regional semifinals.
Whitley Jenkins went 3-for-4 with a triple, while Kylie Mayes had two hits and scored three runs for the Lady Tornadoes. Ari Gear singled twice and had an RBI, and Annalece Morton doubled as part of UC’s 11-hit attack.
Twister defenders played flawless defense for the Smith sisters, finishing with no errors.
Union City will host Westview on Monday at 5 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Westview 16, Union City 1
The Chargers took advantage of 11 UC walks, scoring five times in the second and eight more in the fourth to record the mercy-rule win.
The Tornadoes could muster but four singles themselves, two of those collected by Troy Joslin, who reached base in all three of his plate appearances. Sam Jones knocked in Tucker Davis with Union City’s lone run in the fourth.
Starter Ben Howell was tagged with the pitching loss after a three-inning stint. River Carson and Grissom Hutchison got some relief work.
Now 0-2, UC will search for its first win in a make-up game at Halls today. The first pitch for varsity play is scheduled for 6:30, after a jayvee contest.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
Milan 6, Union City 2
UC spotted Milan a 5-0 early lead and could never fully recover despite a solid final 50 minutes in its 2025 debut.
Khazarion Scates drew words of praise from first-year head coach Lazzarus Scribner after scoring two goals and providing great energy for the Tornadoes. Juan Carlos Barron and Silverio Acevedo assisted on Scates’ goals.
Freshman Antonio Maldonado also received a nod from his coach for playing a huge defensive role for the Twisters. Eric Lopez and Lucas Ajanel-Baten each had seven saves in goal, with Lopez allowing just one score.
Union City will make up Tuesday’s postponed match against Trenton tonight at War Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER
Paris Inman 9, Union City 0
The Tornadoes dropped their first match of the season in Henry County.
Jeremy Martinez and Alan Martinez had shots on goal for UC, which trailed 6-0 at the intermission.
Head coach Jason Deem said afterward: “Despite the loss and the score, I saw a lot of positives to build on for the rest of the season.”
Union City will next play McKenzie at home on Monday at 5:30 p.m.