BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Union College offense was clicking on all cylinders as it swept the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader from Columbia International University (S.C.) 12-0 and 10-0 on Saturday, extending its win streak to a program-best 11 games.
Dating back to 1995, the previous longest win streak came during the 2007 campaign when the Bulldogs won 10 in a row.
In addition to the win streak continuing, Juli King stretched her hit streak to 16 games, going 1-for-4 in the opener and 3-for-3 in the finale.
With the sweep, Union is now 18-9 overall and 8-0 in the AAC. Columbia International drops to 7-15 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
GAME ONE – UNION 12, COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL 0 (5 innings)
A five-run, two-out rally in the first inning set the tone of the game as Union cruised to the 12-0 victory. Marissa West produced the big hit of the inning, a two-run single to right-center field.
The Bulldogs tacked on six more in the third to open up an 11-0 cushion. Ariel Dailey and Makala Gore each produced two-run base hits during the outburst. West completed the scoring in the fourth, knocking in her fourth RBI of the game to make the final 12-0.
Madison Williams earned the win, allowing two hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in four innings of work. Rachel Gawdun pitched the fifth, giving up no runs on one hit.
BULLDOG OF THE GAME
West came up big for the Bulldogs, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs, a run scored, and a stolen base. Prior to this game, she never had more than two RBIs in a contest.
GAME TWO – UNION 10, COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL (5 innings)
Union scored early often once again in the finale and received a stellar pitching performance from Grace Nichols. The freshman hurler allowed one hit and three walks with two strikeouts in picking up the complete-game shutout.
A pair of errors allowed Union to put the first run on the board in the opening frame, and the Bulldogs seized control of the game with a four-run second inning. King delivered a two-run double during the rally, while Dailey and Gore each drove in a run apiece.
The Bulldogs sealed the victory with a five-run third. Lauren Talton provided the big blow in the form of a two-run double.
BULLDOG OF THE GAME
King went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, three RBIs, a double, and a triple. All that was missing was a home run for her to complete the cycle in this game. However, in her other plate appearance, King drew a walk.
QUOTABLE
“I am very proud of this group, and they are a fun group to watch right now as they just keep on working hard and grinding each time we step in the field,” said head coach Nicole Thompson. “Today says a lot both defensively and offensively. To start off with our pitching staff to hurl two shutouts is awesome. They worked the batters and the defense was solid behind them. The noise this group makes when they pass the bat down the line is big. Marissa with four RBIs in the first game was clutch. Everyone in the lineup contributed. In the second game, the bats kept it going as Juli (King) and Lauren (Talton) racked up some RBIs. But to have 25 hits on the day is a great day at the plate.”
BULLDOG NOTES
- Union has won its last three games via five-inning shutouts. Last time this happen came during the 2012 campaign when Union posted five shutouts in a row with four of the five lasting only five innings.
- Four Bulldogs have 20 or more RBIs with Gore’s 23 leading the way. King and Ashley Sain each have 22, while Talton owns 21. Dailey is not far behind with 19 RBIs.
- The second and third innings have belonged to the Bulldogs all season as they have outscored the opposition 49-9 and 43-11, respectively, during those frames.
- In 25 games this season, Union has tallied 179 runs. The Bulldogs scored 183 times last season in 45 games.
- Union did not allow a single Columbia International runner to reach third base.
NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS
Union returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts Milligan College (Tenn.) for another AAC doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
