It was exactly what the Union baseball Wildcats needed heading into this weekend’s Class 4 District 4 Tournament.
Union (9-12) defeated North County, 6-0, on a one-hit shutout by Austin Bentlage and Ashton Dehn.
“It was nice to get a win in our last game at home,” said Union Head Coach Ryan Bailey. “The guys have been practicing hard and we’ve been hitting the ball well. We need to shore up our defense a bit, but we’re headed toward districts on a positive note. Hopefully we can put a scare into Parkway South and see what we can do.”
Union visits top-seeded Parkway South Saturday at noon in the district opener.
In Wednesday’s game, Bentlage went 2.1 innings, allowing one walk and a hit batter while striking out six.
Dehn was the winning pitcher, going 4.2 innings while allowing one hit and one walk. He struck out eight Raiders.
Jordan Weaks recorded three hits, two runs and a walk.
Bentlage had three hits, including a double, with one run.
Dillen Myers posted two hits, including a double, while driving in a run.
Logan Williams doubled, walked, scored a run and drove in two.
Tyler Johnson doubled.
Devon Fennessey had one hit, a run and an RBI.
Nick Schumaker scored a run.
Record, Losses
Union fell last Wednesday against Waynesville, 15-4, and last Thursday on the road at Francis Howell Central, 14-0.
There was one highlight. Johnson, a senior, became the Union career hits leader during the Francis Howell Central game.
“Congratulations to Tyler Johnson on becoming the all-time hits leader at Union High School,” Bailey said. “Tyler has been on a tear lately as he has a 10-game hit streak where he’s batted .667 over those games. He’s been one of the few kids in my 12 years at Union who has started on the varsity team from day one his freshman year. He’s earned everything he’s ever gotten here through hard work and tough, gritty play. I’d love for my own sons to grow up to play and act just like him.”
