JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University baseball team’s record moved to 11-14 overall (6-9 GSC) after walking off Shorter University 1-0.
Noah Toney got the ball for the Bulldog in the rubber match versus Shorter. Toney (1-2) threw a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out three batters. Toney threw just 102 pitches to pick up his first win of the season on the mound.
It was tough sledding for both offenses on the cool Sunday evening rubber match. Up to that point, Carson Chavies had the lone Union hit, doubling back in the fifth inning. Shorter had only three base hits through the first seven innings.
Mitch Sisk reached on an error by the Shorter third-baseman in the bottom half of the eighth inning. Chavies successfully got a bunt down to advance Sisk to second base, giving Caden Cuttrell an opportunity to do damage and give Union the late lead. Cuttrell lined out hard to the third baseman, an unfortunate break for the Junior catcher. Canyon Pace then hit a ground ball to the six-hole, caught on a dive by the Shorter shortstop and thrown to first, sending the game to the ninth inning at a 0-0 tie.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shorter’s lead-off hitter reached first base on a walk and was moved to second base a batter later. Toney struck out Levi Maddela, picking up his third strikeout of the game. Toney escaped the jam, getting Thomas Schro to fly out weakly to right field.
In the top of the ninth inning, freshman shortstop Dyllon Barrett reached on a single to left field, bringing Colby Davis to the plate. Davis bunted Barrett over, giving Union a runner at second base with one out. After intentionally walking Elijah Ramsey, Alec Hardy knocked a back-side single into right field to score Barrett and secure a series win over Shorter.
Union will play Mississippi College in a mid-week tilt on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. General admission is free courtesy of FirstBank.
