The USC Union Bantams and Raiders didn’t just play a series — they staged a four-game rollercoaster in Jonesville.
USC Union opened Saturday with a statement, by erasing a 7–2 deficit with late-inning magic, highlighted by Jesus Garcia’s momentum-swinging grand slam in the sixth. Brice Gillette delivered the walk-off two-run single in the seventh to seal an 8–7 comeback that brought the home crowd to its feet.
The Raiders, however, had the final word of the weekend. In Saturday’s other matchup, they exploded for 12–4 win, using a five-run fifth inning to blow open a tight game. Jackson Groves and Nick Potts paced a 13-hit effort, while Ricky Solorzano set the tone with five shutout innings on the mound.
On Sunday, the Raiders 4–0 behind six hitless innings from Jake Short and a lockdown finish from Gavin Brown. Early pressure made the difference, as Gavin Underwood’s two-run double capped a three-run first inning that proved more than enough. The Bantams drew 10 walks, stole bases aggressively, and never let the Raiders find rhythm at the plate.
But the Raiders punched back in a wild 14–11 slugfest on Sunday. After falling behind 6–3, they answered every Bantam surge with extra-base thunder. Jackson Groves led the charge with four RBIs and a pair of doubles, while Carson Hoard and Tristan Costoulas fueled a relentless attack. A four-run seventh inning finally broke an 11–11 deadlock and flipped the momentum for good.
Across four games, the series featured 45 combined runs, clutch swings, defensive miscues, and momentum shifts that rarely lasted an inning. Both teams flashed explosive offenses and gutsy bullpen work, proving neither side was backing down. In the end, it was a split packed with statement wins, late-game fireworks, and just enough chaos to keep fans buzzing long after the final outs.
The Bantam Blog 