By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Wednesday served as a night of celebration for a handful of Union City sports teams and athletes.
The UC Middle School baseball capped a stellar season with an 8-3 victory in the NWTN Conference championship game at Thompson Field.
Seven Union City High School baseball seniors were honored in ceremonies at Elam Stadium – even though the night’s opponent, Humboldt, called to cancel the scheduled contest less than three hours before it was to begin.
And members of the UC High School Lady Tornado basketball team received their just due, celebrating their 2024-25 season accomplishments with a year-ending banquet in the schools’ Commons area.
Highlights are as follows:
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL
UC 8, Dresden 3
The Tornadoes concluded their 2025 campaign with a sparkling 17-2 record, winning the regular season league championship as well. Union City’s only two seasonal losses were one-run defeats.
UC put five players on the all-conference team in postgame ceremonies, with Preston Creswell, Mason St. Germain, Grady Gurley, Jackson Huffstutter, and Brayden Marshall selected for the glitter unit.
First-year head coach Tracy Bruff was understandably proud of his troops after Wednesday’s clinching victory.
“I’m so proud of our young men for their accomplishments this season,” Bruff claimed. “They are an extremely talented group who worked hard and reacted well to coaching.
“I’m excited to watch their continued progress on the high school level and truly believe they can be something special on that stage.”
In Wednesday’s championship game, the top-seeded Twisters bolted to a 5-0 first-inning lead and never looked back in beating the Lions for the third time this season.
Marshall went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs to lead the winning attack. Gurley doubled and scored, Creswell singled and scored twice, and Caden LeCornu had a hit and drove in two runs.
St. Germain singled, scored, and chased a runner home.
Marshall struck out six in 5 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and one walk to wrap up a perfect 7-0 mound campaign. Japheth Caldwell got the final out for UC, which played error-free defense in the game.
The middle school contest was the last for 11 Union City 8th graders, including Creswell, Marshall, LeCornu, Caldwell, Gurley, Huffstutter, St. Germain, Jake Lattus, Kade Ross, Stephen Herrell, and Camden Watts.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
UC girls celebrate 23-win season
Second-year head coach Mason Storey lauded the accomplishment of the Lady Tornadoes, who won the program’s first district tournament championship in 11 seasons and made it to the regional semifinals for the second time in as many years.
Storey detailed the efforts and accomplishments of every UC player, particularly noting three seniors – Kennedi Robinson, Debrionna Jones, and Jayla Turner – for their contributions to the program this past season and for their respective careers.
Each of those seniors was presented with their framed jerseys, while the remainder of the squad members were given framed photographs of themselves during game action from the season.
The coach then handed out several individual accolades, including:
Most Improved Award – LaRiyah Gordon
Leadership Award – Kennedi Robinson
Defensive Player of the Year – Uriah Davis
Offensive Player of the Year – Debrionna Jones
Tornado Award – Blair McKinnis
Most Valuable Player – Sh’Nyla Moss
The Lady Tornadoes – who won the most games in a season since the 2013-14 unbeaten state championship squad – will return three starters and their top three reserves next season when they move into Class 2A.
UCHS lauds baseball seniors
Humboldt’s no-show did not keep head coach Cole McAdams from recognizing seven seniors who helped the Tornadoes claim a share of the District 14A regular season championship.
McAdams elected to proceed with the annual ritual, welcoming parents and other family members onto the field for photos and congratulations.
Each player was presented with individual game action photos in addition to having their season and career accomplishments publicized.
Among those honored were Copeland Chism, Logan Vincent, Logan Dawkins, Ben Kail, Tucker Davis, Troy Joslin, and Jose Cortez Lopez.
An intrasquad game pitting the seniors against the remainder of the team rounded out the day’s festivities.
Union City is scheduled to visit Fulton County today in its regular season finale before beginning play in the District 14A Tournament on Tuesday.