Union County scored 5 runs in the first and fourth innings on its way to a 17-2 win in five innings over host Hopkinsville on Wednesday. The Tigers have lost three of four to slip below .500 at 7-8, while the Braves have won three-straight to move to 7-5 overall.
Tigers’ sophomore starter Layne Jorgensen struggled with his control, walking four and allowing 6 runs, 3 earned, before being relieved with no outs in the second. Freshman Zach Caudill was greeted with a 2-run home run by Braves junior Coy Burns, and Union added another run in the frame to lead 8-0.
The Tigers got a couple of runs back in their half of the second, beginning with junior Robert Justus being hit by a pitch to bring in junior John Duvall. The Tigers’ second run came on a passed ball, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
The Braves picked up another run in the third, before blowing the game open in the fourth with another 5-run at-bat. They tacked on 3 more runs in the top of the fifth, with the Tigers unable to score in the bottom of the inning to avoid the mercy rule.
Jorgensen took the loss for the Tigers, while junior Cade Duncan earned the win for Union County, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on a hit with nine strikeouts and four walks.
Senior Dalton Bearns and Duvall both had a hit for Hoptown, while juniors Coy Burns and Micah Coy powered the Braves’ offense with three hits and 2 RBI and two hits and 3 RBI, respectively.
Beginning Friday, Hopkinsville will host the Town and County Classic. They will face Ohio County on Friday and Marshall County on Saturday.
