Bantams Win Series Against USC Salkehatchie

Game 1:

USC Union Bantams got out to a 4-run lead in the fifth inning and held on for a 5-4 victory over USC Salkehatchie on Friday, March 29.

The Bantams got on the board in the top of the first inning after Mason Elrod grounded out, Brett Boone grounded out, and Tyler Strickland homered to left field, each scoring one run.

Alex Simmons earned the win for USC Union, surrendering two hits and one run (zero earned) over five innings, striking out six and walking three. Gavin Creede opened the game for USC Salkehatchie. The lefty allowed three hits and five runs over four and one-third innings, striking out three and walking one. Mason Stepp collected the save.

Andrew Bright pitched one inning of no-run ball for the Bantams in relief, allowing two hits, striking out two and walking one.

Brayden Corn went 1-for-2 at the plate as the center fielder led the team with two runs batted in. Blake Exizian, Jordan Fricks, Corn, Strickland, and Michael Barron each collected one hit for USC Union. Corn stole two bases. USC Union stole three bases in the game.

Game 2:

Blake Exizian collected three hits in four at bats, as USC Union defeated USC Salkehatchie 13-3. Exizian doubled in the fifth inning, singled in the first inning, and singled in the third inning.

The Bantams opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to three singles. They first got on the board when Brett Boone singled, scoring one run.

USC Union Bantams added two runs in the second after Boone doubled.

A sacrifice fly by Colin Ingle, and a double by Mason Elrodhelped USC Union extend their early lead in the third.

Jared Penland earned the win for the Bantams. surrendering six hits and three runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out seven and walking two.

USC Union Bantams tallied 16 hits in the game.

Exizian and Brayden Corn each collected three hits for USC Union. Boone, Jordan Fricks, Clayton Goff, and Elrod each collected multiple hits for USC Union. Corn stole two bases.

Game 3:

USC Union Bantams were victorious against USC Salkehatchie 9-5 on Saturday, March 30.

A double by Michael Barron put USC Union on the board in the top of the first.

USC Union took the lead in the top of the second. An error scored one run, to give the Bantams the lead, 3-2.

The Bantams flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on two hits to take a 8-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a fielder's choice by Kris Levensteins that drove in one.

Blake Baldwin earned the win for USC Union. He surrendered five hits and five runs (three earned) over six innings, striking out three and walking two

Grant Ward threw one inning of no-run ball for USC Union in relief, giving up one hit, striking out none and walking none.

Barron went 2-for-3 at the plate as the outfielder led the team with two runs batted in.

Brayden Corn and Barron each collected two hits for USC Union.

Game 4:

Brayden Corn collected four hits in five at bats, as USC Union defeated USC Salkehatchie 11-6 on Saturday, March 30. Corn singled in the third inning, singled in the first inning, singled in the fourth inning, and singled in the sixth inning.

The Bantams rallied for the victory despite trailing 5-0 in the second. They scored five runs on three hits in the top of the third inning. Corn singled, scoring two runs, Blake Exiziansingled, scoring one run, Jordan Fricks grounded out, scoring one run, and Vince Alvarez drew a walk, scoring one run.

Exizian grounded out, which helped the Bantams tie the game at six in the top of the fourth. They took the lead in the top of the fifth, after Fricks hit a solo home run to left field, to give USC Union Bantams the leg up, 7-6.

Trevor Merck earned the win for USC Union, allowing one hit and zero runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking one. Seth Hanson stepped on the bump first for the Bantams, giving up four hits and five runs over two innings, striking out three and walking two.

Calin Brunson opened the game for USC Salkehatchie. The right-handed pitcher surrendered four hits and five runs over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking two. Mason Stepp collected the save.

USC Union accumulated 10 hits in the game. Exizian went 2-for-4 at the plate as they led the team with three runs batted in. Corn stole two bases.

Featured Image: Blake Exizian by Pete Cochran