Twisters strike first in Greenfield showdown

Round 1 of the Union City-Greenfield battle went to the Tornadoes.
The two District 14A heavyweights, who’ve both advanced to the Class A sectionals the past two seasons, met for the first time Monday since UC upset G’field in the Region 7A championship game last year.
After Monday’s game between the two, only Union City remained unbeaten in league play this season after the Tornadoes claimed a 6-2 triumph at Elam Stadium.
Clay Treece continued his mastery of 14A opponents, striking out 13 to improve 5-0 in the district.
Treece, who gave up just one earned run and five hits Monday vs. the ’Jackets, now has 71 strikeouts in just 38 innings this season for the Twisters, who improved to 10-9 overall while breaking Greenfield’s 14-game winning streak.
The Yellowjackets (15-2) will host today’s rematch at 5 p.m.
In the only other game involving a local team on Monday, Ripley topped Obion Central 7-3.
The South Fulton at Lake County contest was postponed due to wet grounds and rescheduled for Wednesday. SF will host LC today.
The following is a recap of Monday’s games.
UC 6, Greenfield 2
Drew Cooley and Travis Rutland both had two hits and reached base twice for the Tornadoes.
Union City scored twice in the second and led 3-2 before adding three big insurance runs in the fifth.
Eric Moore had three RBIs for the Twisters, while Caleb Long scored twice after walking three times.
Joseph Shanks had a hit, run-scored and ribbie for UC.
Payton Page was charged with the pitching loss for Greenfield after giving up five earned runs and six walks with seven strikeouts in five innings.
Ripley 7, OC 3
The Rebels, playing their first game under interim coach Justin Truett (see related story), saw an early lead slip away in a District 13AA road loss.
OC (6-12) was up 3-2 in the fourth before the Tigers rallied with five runs in their final two at-bats.
Mitch Arnett had two of Obion Central’s eight hits — both being singles. Colton Woodward scored twice for the county locals, while Ryan Tucker, Jordan Smith and Parker McMinn all had RBIs.
Woodward pitched the first four innings and gave up two runs before Arnett relieved and was charged with the loss.
The two teams play again today at Troy with the varsity contest slated to start at 6:30 p.m., following a jayvee game.
The remainder of this week’s schedule begins Thursday as South Fulton hosts Fulton City.
Friday, Union City travels to Obion Central and South Fulton visits Carlisle County to conclude the week’s local baseball schedule

Published in The Messenger 4.17.12