By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City erupted for 10 first-inning runs and broke a nine-game losing skid with a 17-7 win over Ballard Memorial in the L.H. Ladd Memorial Classic on Wednesday.
The Golden Tornadoes (3-13) sent 13 batters to the plate in that opening frame, pairing six singles with a half-dozen walks for easily their biggest inning of the season.
A five-spot in the bottom of the fifth brought the contest to an early end due to the run rule.
Freshman catcher Jackson Huffstutter led UC’s offensive outburst with a triple, two singles, and three RBIs. Classmate Japheth Caldwell tripled, singled, scored twice, and drove in two runs, while another frosh, Brayden Marshall, went 2-for-3 with two ribbies and a pair of runs scored.
Jack Theobald accounted for a trio of RBIs and scored twice, Sam Jones knocked in two runs, and Preston Creswell crossed the plate twice.
Jackson Vowell improved to 3-1, pitching the first two innings with two earned runs allowed. Jones followed with two frames of relief before Mason St. Germain got the final three outs for the Twisters.
UC is set to play Carlisle County tonight at 6:45 at Elam Stadium.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
UC 6, Clarksburg 0
The Tornadoes won their third straight match after opening the season 0-2 and have outscored their foes 16-5 in those victories.
Silverio Acevedo recorded a hat trick and also handed out an assist to lead UC to a triumph in its District 12A opener vs. the Rockets.
Alex Landeros scored twice, and KhaZarion Scates also found the net for the Twisters, who peppered the Clarksburg goaltender with 13 shots on goal and 23 in all.
Cole Gurley, Wrigley Harder, and Jose Pastor were credited with assists for the victors.
Rylan Robinson turned away Clarksburg’s only two shots to complete the shutout.
Union City will play next at Bruceton on April 13.
HIGH SCHOOL TRACK
Boys 2nd, girls 3rd at McCracken County
UC’s boys’ team finished as runners-up among nine schools, while the girls were third in a field of eight squads at McCracken County on Tuesday.
Tayshun Gentry won the triple jump, Aiden Reid took first in the shot put, and Kyle Price led the field in the discus as the Tornado boys claimed honors in three events.
Both Twister teams recorded numerous second- and third-place showings, according to head coach Wade Maddox, who limited many of his performers to just two events ahead of today’s home meet.
Union City will welcome 10 schools to War Memorial Stadium today, with field events beginning at noon and running to start around 1:30 p.m.