Baseball team crushes Goshen in season-opening doubleheader

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - While its just one day and two games old, year two of the Chris Lewis era could not have gotten off to a better start.

Union scored in 10 of its 12 at-bats over the stretch of two games and dominated in all facets, topping Goshen (Ind.) 9-4 and 14-1 in a season-opening baseball doubleheader in Barbourville Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2019 and scored nine more runs in both games after doing so just twice all of last season.

GAME ONE

After Goshen took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning, the Bulldogs took control for good in the bottom half, when Angel Mendoza blasted a three-run home run over the right field wall.

Logan Romasanta had a team-best two hits, both doubles, and an RBI, while he, Hazel Martinez and Colton Stegman both scored two runs. On the mound, starter Hunter Rossi and reliever Christian McCollough combined for 10 strikeouts, with McCollough getting the win. Cade Watson also threw two shutout innings of relief.

GAME TWO

The opener proved to merely be an appetizer, as the Bulldog offense batted around in each of the first two innings, while starting pitcher James Raffauf didn't allow a hit in four innings of work in the late matchup.

David Mitchell had three RBIs, including a two-run triple to kick off the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. He was one of four Bulldogs with multiple RBIs, with Luke Powell, Seelman and Jackson Holcombe all driving in two.

Kimon Quarles scored three runs in the win while Mitchell, Mendoza and Romasanta all scored twice.

And despite allowing three runners into scoring position over the first two innings, Raffauf escaped both jams unscathed and found a rhythm, striking out four batters in his no-hit effort.

NEXT UP FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union and Goshen will go right back at it Sunday with another doubleheader slated to begin at noon.