The USC Union Bantams completed a dominant doubleheader sweep Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 25), using timely hitting and late pitching to win the opener 7–5 before exploding for an 18–0 shutout in five innings in Game Two.
USC Union overcame an early 2–0 deficit in game one and used a five-run third inning to take control in a 7–5 victory. TBD struck first in the opening inning with a solo home run and capitalized on a Bantam error to build a quick lead. USC Union answered in the second when Mikey Scott ripped an RBI double to right field to cut the deficit in half. The game turned in the third. Josh Jackson opened the inning with a solo home run to left, igniting a rally. The Bantams then took advantage of defensive miscues, pushing across five runs in the frame – including two that scored on a right-field error – to surge ahead 6–2. Scott added another RBI later in the inning to cap the outburst.
USC Union stretched the lead to 7–2 in the fourth before TBD mounted a late comeback, scoring once in the sixth and twice in the seventh to tighten the game. The Bantams’ bullpen bent but did not break. After a tense seventh inning, Jaxson Barbee recorded the final out to secure the win. Scott finished a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBIs to lead the offense, while Jackson added the pivotal home run. USC Union managed just five hits but capitalized on five TBD errors to create the difference.
If the opener was about timely hitting, the nightcap was about total domination.
USC Union scored in every inning during second game – four in the first, three in the second, four in the third, three in the fourth and four in the fifth – to roll to an 18–0 victory. The Bantams out-hit their opponent 11–1 and played flawless defense behind a pitching staff that struck out 14. The offensive star of the game was Brett Boone, who delivered a massive performance. Boone went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBIs, blasting a two-run home run and adding two doubles. Catcher Jesus Garcia was just as relentless, reaching base five times. Garcia scored four runs, collected two hits, drove in two and walked three times, including a two-run triple that stretched the lead even further. At the top of the lineup, Jackson continued his strong day with two hits, three runs scored and two RBIs. Additional key contributions came from Scott, who added an RBI double, and Brice Gillette, who drove in two runs.
On the mound, Wyatt Crouch set the tone with three no-hit innings and eight strikeouts. He was backed by Gabe Dotterweich, Braeden Campman, and Dillon Pruett, who combined to finish the one-hit shutout. In all, the Bantams combined power, patience and overpowering pitching to complete an impressive sweep, closing the day with a statement-making 18–0 victory.
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