Game 1:
In a dramatic finish, the USC Union Bantams emerged victorious against the SWU JV team with a 9-7 win on March 3, 2025. The game, held at USC Union, showcased a thrilling comeback by the Bantams, who overcame a five-run deficit to secure the win.
The game began with SWU JV taking an early lead, scoring five runs in the first inning. Key contributions came from Turner and Simonds, who both reached base and eventually scored, aided by a series of walks and errors from the Bantams’ pitching staff. The SWU JV team maintained their lead with additional runs in the fourth and fifth innings, thanks to efforts from Turner and Sheriff.
USC Union Bantams, however, chipped away at the lead. In the first inning, Markus Kirksey drove in Josh Jackson to put the Bantams on the board. The second inning saw Justin Skorupski‘s sacrifice fly bring home Briggs Richards, narrowing the gap.
The turning point came in the sixth inning, where the Bantams capitalized on a series of errors and strategic plays. Skorupski’s ground ball led to two runs due to a fielding error by SWU JV’s Mitchell. Aiden Talarico and Markus Kirksey added to the score with an RBI single and a bases-loaded walk, respectively. Mason Elrod and Mikey Scott further contributed, driving in runs that allowed the Bantams to take the lead.
SWU JV’s pitchers struggled to contain the Bantams’ surge, with Worley facing significant challenges in the sixth inning. Despite a strong start, SWU JV could not recover from the Bantams’ late-game rally.
On the mound, USC Union’s bullpen, including standout performances from Union native Cade Goings and Colin Ingle, who earned the win and save respectively, effectively shut down SWU JV’s offense in the final innings.
The game highlighted the resilience and determination of the USC Union Bantams, who maintained their composure and leveraged strategic batting and fielding to clinch the victory. Both teams showcased strong performances, but the Bantams’ ability to capitalize on opportunities ultimately secured their win.
Game 2:
In an exciting evening matchup on March 3, 2025, the USC Union Bantams showcased their offensive prowess against SWU JV, securing an 8-3 victory. The game, held at USC Union’s home field, saw both teams battling it out in the early innings before the Bantams pulled ahead decisively.
The game began with SWU JV taking an early lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a catcher error by USC Union’s Gavin Underwood, which allowed Mckinley to score. Reid followed up with a run after Turner grounded out, giving SWU JV a 2-0 advantage. However, the Bantams quickly responded in the bottom of the first. A walk to Alex Kiniry allowed Kirksey to score, and Barcelo capitalized on a wild pitch to even the score at 2-2.
SWU JV added another run in the second inning, with Anders driving in Koller on a single, but this would be their last run of the game. The Bantams’ Hayden Friend responded with a solo homer in the bottom of the second, tying the game once again.
The Bantams took control in the fourth inning when Friend scored on another error by SWU JV’s catcher Farmer. The fifth inning saw USC Union extend their lead significantly. Logan Miyar hit a two-run homer, bringing home Pinckney, followed by Underwood’s RBI single that scored Solomen. This offensive burst put the Bantams ahead 7-3.
In the sixth inning, Pinckney added another run for the Bantams, driving in Barcelo with a single, bringing the final score to 8-3.
On the mound, SWU JV’s Hamby suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs over two innings. In contrast, USC Union’s Gabe Allen earned the win with a solid three-inning performance, allowing no runs and striking out four.
Overall, the game was marked by a strong showing from USC Union’s lineup, with key contributions from Friend, Miyar, and Pinckney. Despite SWU JV’s early lead, their momentum was stifled by the Bantams’ effective pitching and timely hitting. The Bantams’ victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes.
The Bantam Blog 