Truett McConnell earns doubleheader sweep of Union baseball

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - There was a bad deja vu vibe in the air in a baseball doubleheader between Union and Truett McConnell on Thursday.

In both games, the Bulldogs fell behind due to a bad third inning, came storming back in their final at-bat, only to come up just short, as the Bears earned 7-6 and 4-2 wins, securing a sweep that will likely prove critical in the Appalachian Athletic Conference standings by season's end.

GAME ONE

After the Bulldogs scored first, the Bears took control of the game with three two-out runs in the third inning and eventually pulled ahead 7-2.

Trailing 7-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Union's outlook got much brighter as a leadoff double by Luke Powell gave way to a two-run David Mitchell home run that cut the deficit to one. The tying run then got into scoring position when pinch-hitter KC Anchors, in his first at-bat of the season, doubled to right field.

Pinch-runner Sammy Serrano then got 90 feet away following a Nick Martinez sacrifice bunt, which brought Luke Pell to the plate with a chance to tie the game. Pell lifted a fairly shallow fly ball to right field, which Serano attempted to score off of.

That proved to be a mistake, as a Jake Edwards throw beat Serrano home by two steps, ending Union's comeback hopes one run short.

Union got within three runs thanks to a two-run home run by Powell in the sixth inning. He finished the game 3-for-4 and had reached in nine of 10 plate appearances over a three-game stretch. Mitchell also went 3-for-4, adding an RBI single in the first inning.

On the mound, Carter Finlay threw three-plus innings of shutout relief, striking out two and allowing two hits.

GAME TWO

Again facing a 1-0 deficit with two outs in the third inning, Truett McConnell one-upped its performance from the opening game, bringing home four runs. The rally was capped by a two-run single by Ethan Roberts, which would be the Bears' final runs of the game.

Union again made things interesting when Angel Mendoza led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run. It was the 18th shot of the year for Mendoza, who entered the day tied for second in the NAIA in home runs.

Now down just 4-2, back-to-back walks by Hazel Martinez and Logan Romasanta brought the winning run to the plate with no outs. But the rally quickly fizzled, as reliever John James recorded a flyout and two strikeouts to end the game.

This was all-too-common an occurrence, as Union stranded 11 runners in the second game and left at least one man in scoring position in six of seven at-bats.

The Bulldogs got another shutout relief appearance, this time by Evan Hiatt, whose final six outs were all recorded via strikeout.

Truett McConnell (10-6) now has a two-game lead and tie-breaker over Union (8-8) after the two teams came into the day tied for fifth in the AAC standings. The Bulldogs won't have a chance to make up ground on Friday, as the scheduled third game in the series was canceled due to an anticipated rain storm.

The Bulldogs, who are 18-11-1 overall, have a tough week ahead, beginning with a 4 p.m. road matchup against No. 11 Cumberlands on Tuesday.