Union gets big play at right time
By By Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
April 26, 2003
UNION First baseman Paul McMaham executed a big-league play in a tight spot for the Yellowjackets in the first game of their Class 1A playoff contest against the St. Aloysius Flashes (14-6) Friday night.
The Union corner infielder rocketed a perfect throw to third base in the sixth inning, after catching Yellowjackets catcher Jordan Robinson's toss to first on a dropped third strike, to nail Flashes pitcher Jason Brown at the bag.
McMaham's throw erased the error that allowed Brown to reach first and the pass ball that moved St. Aloysius' pitcher to second base to preserve a 2-1 Union lead.
The Yellowjackets (20-11) take their 1-0 series lead on the road against the Flashes at 2 p.m. today.
Union will be looking for another strong pitching performance like it got from starter Jody Blount, as the squad attempts to wrap up the series.
The senior hurler notched a complete-game victory allowing one run on four hits, with eight strike outs.
Blount's only miscue on the mount came in the opening inning.
The Yellowjackets' pitcher walked in the first run of the game, after the Flashes loaded the bases with three singles.
Blount allowed just four more St. Aloysius players to reach base in the next six innings.
Union tied the game at one in the bottom of the first on a hit from Jordan that St. Aloysius second baseman Chad Cox couldn't handle.
Jordan's grounder that slipped under the infielder's glove allowed Blount, who reached base after getting hit with a pitch, to score.
The Yellowjackets catcher came through again for the home team in the bottom of the third with a run-scoring single for a 2-1 advantage.
Blount followed the one-run inning striking out the first two batters he faced in the fourth inning and getting the last Flash batter to ground out.
Union notched three runs in the bottom of the sixth to give its pitcher a comfortable cushion entering the final inning.
Yellowjackets shortstop Jacob Casey, third baseman Sean Ferrell and Blount each hit RBI singles in the rally.
