It’s no secret that Union Post 22 can hit the long ball. The American Legion team has been wearing down Region VII opponents all season with its clubs and as a result, is sitting in the driver’s seat with playoffs just around the corner.
On Monday, Nathan Williford and Josh Simpson hit a pair of bombs to ignite the offense and propel Union to a 9-1 win over Inman.
“When we hit the ball, we beat people,” stated Coach Tommy Ford. “It’s that simple.”
Recus Hughes worked from the mound and kept the opposition off the board until the sixth inning where Inman picked up its lone run.
Union had taken a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Jake Arnold doubled down the left field line and was driven in off a single courtesy of Williford.
After a stagnant couple of innings, Union broke the game open in the fifth. Devontae “Fox” Glenn stroked a lead off single and Jake Walton was issued a walk after an impressive at-bat before Simpson cleared the bags with a three run homer to left-center field.
Adam Lawson singled to left field and scored off Williford’s follow up hit to shallow right, capping off the inning, 5-0.
Inman used a double and a fielder’s choice to pick up a run in the top of the sixth and Union responded with one of their own in the bottom of the inning when Walton sacrificed to plate Hughes who’d reached on a passed ball third strike.
Inman had runners on first and second with no outs in the seventh but Lawson made back to back plays from shortstop to snuff out the lead runner and a fly out sent Union back to offense.
Williford’s home run came in the bottom of the inning on two outs. The two-run blast sailed over the left field wall for Williford’s third hit of the night, his fourth RBI.
Union scored an additional run in the eighth inning when Walton turned a triple into an inside the park home run after a throwing error. Simpson followed up with a rope to left field but was left on when a ground out ended the inning.
Inman was held to a three up, three down ninth with Hughes getting the final out at the plate.
Ford said that the next couple of games will be important for Union in determining how the team enters the playoffs.
“It’s real important that we go in as a number one seed,” said Ford. “The next couple of days will decide that. We’ve got to beat Greer tomorrow and if we do, I think it’ll be hard to knock us out.”
Tuesday — Greer at home, Thursday — Gaffney away.
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