JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University baseball team posted a 4-3 victory versus Shorter University in game three of the Gulf South Conference opening series. Shorter won the first game of the series Sunday afternoon 5-3, and then took the first game of the double-header Monday, 9-4. Union is now 5-8 overall and 2-1 in league play. Shorter moved to 8-7 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
In Monday's second game of the double-header and the series' final game, Union rallied from a 3-0 hole with four runs in the third. That 4-3 score stood for the rest of the game. The first two runs scored when David Robins reached base on a sacrifice bunt and error, but the wild throw allowed Caleb DeMarigny and Chase Diggs to score all the way from second and first, respectively. All but Robins would have scored anyway when Union's Nolen Milton followed with his second home run of the season to give Union the third and fourth runs of the inning. Union starter Scott Shearer (3-2) did the rest, tossing a complete game, allowing three runs, one earned on six hits with two strikeout and three walks. Union had just four hits, led by Milton with two.
The first game of Monday's double-header went in favor of Shorter 9-4. Union gave up six unearned runs in the game on seven errors. Union took the early lead with a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Milton. Shorter added three runs in the top of the third to take the lead. In the fourth, Union's defense faltered, giving up four unearned runs. Shorter tacked on unearned runs int he fifth and sixth also. Union added two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth, but could not overcome the errors. Union out-hit Shorter 13-7 in the game, with five players having two hits each. Skyler Harrison (0-4) took the tough loss, allowing nine runs, only three earned in 5.1 innings with three strikeouts and one walk. Kory Pollard tossed the final 3.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
The first game of the series was back and forth in a 5-3 win by Shorter. Both teams scored one run each in the first inning, both coming on sacrifice flies. Union's Zane Phillips got the RBI in the bottom of the frame. Union added two runs in the second inning to lead 3-1 thanks to a passed ball and wild pitch. Shorter added a run in the third on a solo home run from Yamyr Santos. Santos double in a run in the fifth to tie the game at 3-3. Then in the top of the eighth, Santos hit is second home run of the game, a two-run shot to left field. Union could not answer in the eighth and ninth innings. Union had five hits, with two each coming from Diggs and DeMarigny. JR Miller started on the mound for Union, going seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned on four hits with six strikeouts. Brady Cook (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Marty Coursey tossed a perfect ninth inning for Union.
Up next for the Bulldogs is another home game, Tuesday, February versus North Alabama at 2 p.m. in a non-conference matchup.
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