By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Averi Riley scored three runs and Austyn Dilday sparkled with six innings of two-hit relief to help Union City beat Hillcrest 7-5 for its first middle school softball victory of the season on Tuesday.
The Lady Tornadoes rallied from a 4-0 first-inning deficit, scoring three times in the bottom of the opening frame and then going ahead with a pair of runs in the fourth.
UC did not commit an error in the contest and took advantage of four H’crest misplays to tally five unearned runs.
Maddie Steward scored twice, and Sophie Palmer had a hit, drove in a run, and scored another for the Twister girls. Dilday, who came on with no outs in the first and fanned six to pick up the pitching win, helped her own cause with a single and a run scored.
Amanda McPhearson had a hit and an RBI for the winners.
Union City (1-5) plays host to Gibson County at 5:30 on Thursday.
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
UC 168, Trenton 189
The Union City boys picked up a 21-stroke victory over Trenton Tuesday in Gibson County.
Gavin McGuire and Finn Frankum each shot 41 to help the Tornadoes to a 168 team total.
Copeland Chism shot 42, and Brody Riley registered a 44.
Logan Vincent also shot 41 for UC.
Peabody finished with 189 as a group.
Alli Kate Vincent carded a 41 to lead a foursome for the Union City girls.
Madi Pate shot 59, Chloe Norton came in with a 61, and Carley Frilling finished with a 63.
Union City’s next match is Monday at Wynridge Greens in Troy against Obion County Central.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Paducah Tilghman 1
The Lady Tornadoes battled to a tough four-game victory against host PT, winning Games 1 (25-21), 3 (26-24), and 4 (25-20) to triumph for the second time in as many outings.
Brianna McBride had a big night with nine kills, a dozen digs, and four saves for UC. Gracelyn Sims and Allysia Davis also recorded nine kills, with Sims additionally accounting for five aces.
Addison Carr recorded 26 of the victors’ 33 assists and contributed 11 saves. Clare Atwill was credited with 19 digs and served up a team-high seven aces, and Madie Theobald had five assists, five digs, and four saves.
Ca’Lae Ervin finished with six kills and five digs.
Head coach Jessica Graham lauded her team’s grittiness, particularly noting the play of Davis, who remained engaged with her teammates throughout the lengthy match.
Union City will open the home portion of its schedule on Monday, hosting Ripley.
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Woodrow McKinnis came in third in a field of 144 runners, and Rushdon Howell placed 10th to also medal for the Union City’s boys in their season-opening event in Milan.
McKinnis crossed the finish line at 17:08, while Howell was clocked at 18:28.
Ainsley Beard – the lone UC girl to compete – also medaled with an 11th-place showing and a time of 24:15.
The Top 20 finishers were rewarded with medals.
Other times for the Tornado boys included Andrew Beard (22:18, 50thplace) and Wrigley Harder (23:49, 69th place).
Union City will compete next Tuesday at Covington.