Well, howdy there, everyone! It’s the Ol’ Ball Coach here, and let me tell ya, May is just around the corner, and our Union Bears baseball team put on a show Thursday night that was as close to a must-win as you can get! You know what they say, “You gotta play to win the game!” And win they did!
“Certainly a big game,” I told my boys, led by Coach David Wyrick. And boy, did they respond with a performance that would make any coach proud!
Collyn Neff took the mound like a true ace, pitching five strong innings, while Kam Bishop led a 14-hit barrage against the John Battle Trojans. They topped ‘em 10-3, boosting their chances for that coveted top seed in the Mountain 7 District for the VHSL Region 2D tournament. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”
Now, let’s not kid ourselves; Abingdon is leading the pack at 11-2, 6-0, but right behind them, it’s a fierce dogfight! Union (8-6, 4-3), John Battle (7-7, 5-2), Wise County Central (7-5, 3-3), and Gate City (6-7, 2-3) are all in the mix, and anything can happen in the coming weeks. “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up!”
This game was a standout for the Bears, and they picked the perfect time to shine. “Heck of a team effort,” I told ‘em. “Top to bottom!” The game was tied after three, but when John Battle brought in their ace, Porter Gobble, the Bears answered back with a five-run fourth inning that flipped the script!
Bishop’s two-run single was the highlight of that inning. He went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, and let me tell ya, “He was in attack mode at the plate, and that’s what we want!”
The Bears weren’t just swinging; they were swinging for the fences! Liam Skeen also brought the heat with three hits and two RBIs, and Sam Whitman blasted a solo home run among his two hits. Cole Chandler and Collyn Neff added two hits each, while Eli Pleasant drew three walks. “One through nine, we did what we needed to do,” Bishop said. “We’ve improved a lot!” You can say that again!
Just a few weeks back, Union took a tough loss against John Battle, falling 11-0. What a difference a few days make! “We did good in all three phases of the game – pitching, fielding, and hitting,” Bishop said. “Especially hitting!”
Collyn Neff was a star on the mound, allowing just one run with eight strikeouts. “My fastball was definitely working, and my change-up was working too,” Neff said. “Coach Wyrick had confidence in me.” And that’s what it’s all about, folks—teamwork and trust!
John Battle’s Coach Jimmy Gobble had no excuses. “They 100 percent came in here and beat us," he admitted. "Union just pitched really well; they just played better than us and earned that win.” Ain’t that the truth!
So, as we look ahead, remember: the best days are still ahead for these Bears, with just two seniors in the lineup. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
And let’s not forget, “They are closer than they think!” Keep swinging, Bears! You’re on the right track!