Union Head Coach Ryan Bailey knew his baseball Wildcats faced a massive challenge Saturday in the opening round of the Class 4 District 4 Tournament.
Playing at top-seeded Parkway South, the Wildcats held on for some time before yielding, 12-2 in six innings.
Union ended the season at 9-13.
The Wildcats had some highlights. Union scored single runs in the third and fifth innings. And the Wildcats rapped out eight hits.
But Parkway South posted 12 hits and took advantage of five Union errors while rolling to the win.
Parkway South scored twice in the first, twice in the second, once in the third, four times in the fourth, twice in the fifth and once in the sixth.
Offensively, Jordan Weaks led the Wildcats with two hits, a walk and an RBI.
Batters with one hit each were Devon Fennessey, Drew Juengel, Austin Bentlage, Trey Fink, Tyler Johnson and Nicholas Schumaker.
Johnson, who graduates as Union’s career hits leader, scored both of the Union runs.
Bentlage drove in Union’s other run.
Logan Williams and Ashton Dehn also drew walks. Fink added a sacrifice.
On the hill, Bentlage took the loss. He allowed nine runs (six earned) on eight hits and five walks over four innings. He struck out five Patriots.
Weaks pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk.
Dan Holst led the Patriots with three doubles, three runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases.
Holst also was the winning pitcher, throwing the first five innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one.
