Lady Yellowjackets' season ends at North State
The Union Lady Yellowjackets gave the Class 2A Player of the Year all she wanted last week.
Union traveled north to Blue Springs and beat Lucy Cochran 3-1 on Thursday. Union returned home on Friday with an opportunity to claim a spot in the Class 2A championship series but lost 5-3 after committing five errors in the field and giving up five unearned runs.
Union then traveled to East Union on Saturday and the Lady Urchins showed why they are a favorite to win Class 2A, beating the Lady Yellowjackets 10-0 to finish out the series.
“I believe we truly reached our full potential this year,” Union coach Jacob Casey said in a Facebook post. “If someone would have asked me in late March of early April where we were going to end up, I would have told them second in district at best and an early exit in the playoffs. Not only did we end up winning the district championship, but we ended up the season one win short of a state championship appearance. We beat the 2A Player of the Year at her home field. We took the program to a height that it has never been to before in the history of Union fast-pitch softball.”
Casey is stepping down as the head softball coach at Union, and will remain as the volleyball coach. Union ended the season with a 20-12 record.
“I’m stepping back away from softball next year to spend more time with my kids and wife,” Casey said. “I’m looking forward to being able to be a dad more and play ball with my kids in the front yard and watch them grow. But Union softball, these current girls, and the players of the past will always hold a special place in my heart. I love watching these kids grow throughout the season and mature as players and people. Their involvement throughout the season is a testament to their hard work and dedication and that’s something as their coach that I loved about them.”
Union 3, East Union 1
The Lady Yellowjackets grabbed an early lead off the bat of Alanee Wheeler and took a two-run win over the Lady Urchins on Thursday.
The Lady Yellowjackets outhit the Lady Urchins 5-1 in the contest, powered by Alanee Wheeler, who went 2-for-2 with two homes and all three Union RBIs. Abigail Cleveland singled and scored Union’s other run while Lacee Bishop and Elle Killen also singled.
Wheeler outdueled the Class 2A player of the year on the mound to pick up the win. Wheeler allowed just one unearned run on one hit and four walks while striking out six. Lucy Cochran gave up three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out 16.
East Union 5, Union 3
The Lady Urchins took advantage of five Union errors and took a two-run win over the Lady Yellowjackets on Friday night.
Union only had one hit in the game and drew six walks. Destiny Moulds singled, stole a base and scored a run. Alanee Wheeler was walked three times and scored a run while Abigail Cleveland walked and scored a run.
Wheeler started in the circle again and gave up four unearned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out three in five innings of work. Cleveland pitched the last two innings, giving up 2 runs on 1 hit and 1 walk.
East Union 10, Union 0
The Lady Urchins took an early lead and used a six-run fifth inning to take a run-rule win over the Lady Yellowjackets on Saturday.
Union only had four hits in the contest, all singles. Lauryn Roebuck, Elle Killen, Lacey Bishop and Landry Hanna all had singles while Alanee Wheeler was walked twice.
Wheeler pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up 10 runs with only four being earned. She gave up nine hits and four walks while striking out seven.