Playing in the Potosi Tournament Saturday, the Union Wildcats brought home a pair of wins.
Union (5-7) defeated Salem, 10-0, and Kingston, 3-2, during the first day of the event.
Due to scheduling issues, the final round will take place this week. Union will play Winfield Friday for the championship.
Salem
Austin Bentlage and Ashton Dehn combined to hold Salem to no runs on just two hits in Union’s 10-0 five-inning victory.
The Wildcats set the tone with seven runs in the top of the first. Bentlage took the hill for the bottom of the inning, but had to leave the mound on a decision by Head Coach Ryan Bailey.
“Austin’s back was tightening up on him so we put Ashton in the game a little earlier than expected but he came out and pitched his best game of the year,” Bailey said. “Giving us four innings and throwing 75 percent strikes was just what we needed after jumping out to a big lead. Ashton got his first ever varsity win and that’s always good to see.”
Bentlage allowed one hit and struck out two. Dehn also allowed one hit and struck out four.
Union added three runs in the top of the fourth inning and then sealed the game on the 10-run mercy rule.
“We came out swinging the bats real well — the best we have all season,” Bailey said. “Our first nine batters all reached base in the first inning and we were able to give our pitchers a great cushion.”
Logan Williams led the way with three hits, two runs and an RBI.
Eight batters had one hit each.
Jordan Weaks ended with two hits, one run and two RBIs.
Derek King (two runs), Tyler Johnson (one run, one RBI, two walks and four stolen bases), Devon Fennessey, Dillen Myers (one run and one RBI) and Dehn (double and two RBIs) each had one hit. Andrew Lenau scored a run.
Kingston
The Wildcats had a tougher time with Kingston, winning 3-2.
In this game, Union scored one run in the bottom of the fourth. Kingston tied it in the top of the fifth, but Union scored twice. Kingston scored once in the top of the sixth and that’s how the scoring ended.
Union outhit Kingston 10-4 and each team made one error.
“Kingston hung around in this game,” Bailey said. “They were a very scrappy team who played a good brand of small ball. There were eight bunts total in the game — four by each team. We had our moments to break the game open but couldn’t do it. Fortunately, Jordan gave us a solid five innings and when he needed some help Tyler was able to come in and shut the door on a pretty tense bases-loaded situation.”
Weaks was the winning pitcher, going 5.2 innings while allowing three hits, six walks and one hit batter. He struck out four.
Johnson earned a save, throwing 1.1 innings. He allowed one hit while striking out two.
Johnson led the offense as well with two hits, including a double and a run.
Batters with one hit were Williams (walk), King (stolen base), Trey Fink (run), Bentlage, Fennessey (run), Myers (double), Weaks (double and RBI) and T.J. Vitt (stolen base).
“Logan Williams, Tyler Johnson, Devon Fennessey and Jordan Weaks all had good days at the plate over the two games,” Bailey said. “They all hit the ball hard, which is all you can ask for. It would be great if the team can keep those swings up and as our hitting improves and pitching gains consistency we’ll see what kind of ballclub we can be.”
