By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City was a double winner in baseball on Friday.
Both the Middle School and High School Tornadoes recorded victories in their respective games – the former improving to 5-0 and the latter notching their first triumph of the season after a pair of losses.
Highlights from those contests, as well as track, tennis, and cross country, are as follows:
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 4, Martin 0
Preston Creswell scattered four singles in five shutout innings, and Brayden Marshall doubled, singled, and drove in a pair of runs to help the Twisters continue their impressive start to 2025.
Creswell, who fanned four, improved to 3-0 on the year with another quality start. He also scored twice. Japheth Caldwell finished off the Chargers by hurling a scoreless sixth frame.
Marshall had run-scoring hits in the third and fifth for UC. Caden LeCornu and Kade Ross also had hits for the victors.
The Tornadoes, who’ve outscored their opposition 30-2 in their first five games, host West Carroll on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 8, Halls 2
The Twisters rode a strong pitching performance by Copeland Chism to their first victory of the year.
UC – which dropped a 5-4 decision to the Tigers in its opener – got a lockdown performance from Chism, who struck out nine and allowed but one earned run in six solid innings. Troy Joslin came on to get the final three outs for the Tornadoes, striking out a pair of Halls batters.
Tucker Davis went 2-for-3 and reached base three times as Union City scored in five of seven frames. Chism helped himself with a single, a run, and an RBI, while Sam Jones had a hit and scored. Joslin crossed the plate twice, and Logan Dawkins singled and recorded a ribbie.
Courtesy runner Jack Theobald scored two runs for the winners.
The Tornadoes took advantage of nine walks to overcome 10 strikeouts.
Union City will begin District 14A play on Monday, hosting Lake County at 5:30 p.m. The two teams will then play at Tiptonville at the same time on Tuesday.
HIGH SCHOOL TRACK
Union City got an abbreviated tune-up for the coming season by participating in the second annual Dyersburg Jamboree and posting several first-place showings.
Ainsley Beard won the 400 and 800-meter runs for the Lady Tornadoes. Ca’Lae Ervin took honors in the high jump, and Katana Bonds finished atop the long jump standings. Aaliyah Abbott won the discus competition.
On the boys’ side, UC posted four first-place finishes. They included Aiden Reid (shot put), Kyle Price (discus), Owen Waggoner (400 meters), and Woodrow McKinnis (1600 meters).
Only five races were held in the meet.
Union City will compete at Huntingdon (4:30) on Tuesday and then travel to Seigel High School in Murfreesboro for a meet set to begin at 9:30 a.m. next Saturday.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
Trenton 3, UC 2
UC battled to the very end before dropping their second match of the season.
Silverio Acevedo tallied both Tornado goals – finding the net on a penalty kick and a free kick.
Lucas Ajanel-Baten, who started in goal in Union City’s first game, stepped into a starting defensive role and controlled the back line. Carter Wilson was solid on both ends for the Twisters.
“This was a great experience for our young team,” Tornado head coach Lazzarus Scribner said. “We have to learn how to finish, but I can’t say enough about how proud I am of our effort as well as the drastic improvement from our first match.
“With this kind of effort and intensity, the wins will come – and soon.”
Union City will play at Obion Central on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
McCracken Co. 7, UC 0 (G)
McCracken Co. 7, UC 0 (B)
McCracken County provided stiff competition for both Union City teams in the Tornadoes’ season opener on Saturday, blanking UC in both matches.
Lexi Petty was the most competitive Lady Tornado in singles play, winning one set and forcing a tie-breaker in the third. Josie Ross and Bertie Jenkins put up a good fight in doubles before dropping an 8-6 decision.
On the boys’ side, Foster Rodgers won four games in two singles sets.
Union City will play at McKenzie on Tuesday before opening the home portion of its schedule on Thursday vs. Huntingdon.
Girls Singles
Davey Frankum lost 0-6, 0-6
Dani Frankum lost 1-6, 0-6
Bertie Jenkins lost 0-6, 0-6
Allie Vincent lost 0-6, 0-6
Lexi Petty lost 1-6, 6-3, (3-10) in third set tiebreak
Josie Ross lost 2-6, 2-6
Briley McKinney lost 1-6, 1-6
Emma Jane Rice lost 6-7, 0-6
Stella Turner won 7-5, 3-6, (12-10) in third set tiebreak
Maddie Bailey lost 0-6, 0-6
Girls Doubles
Frankum/Frankum lost 2-8
Jenkins/Ross lost 6-8
Vincent/Petty lost 2-8
McKinney/Rice lost 3-8
Turner/ Bailey lost 6-8
Boys Singles
Kobe Kirk lost 3-6, 0-6
Byron Abbott lost 0-6, 0-6
Paul Martin Tohn lost 0-6, 0-6
Foster Rodgers lost 3-6, 1-6
Camden Dawkins lost 1-6, 2-6
Boys Doubles
Kirk/Abbott lost 3-8
Tohn/Rodgers lost 0-8