The Union Yellowjackets all but wrapped up the Division 5-2A title with a 4-3 win over Philadelphia in high school baseball action from late Tuesday.

Union got single runs in the bottom of the sixth and the bottom of the seventh to erase a 3-2 deficit and improve to 18-6 overall and 9-0 in division play.

Ian Ferrell (5-3) was the winning pitcher, while Cody Bryan (6-2) took the loss.

Alex Deaton had a single and double, Jamelle Blalock had a single and double, Jacob Massey had two singles and Daniel Winstead hit a home run for Union.

Philadelphia got a homer and double from Landon Gilmer.

The Yellowjackets host Kemper County Friday.

— Rocky Higginbotham



Newton County 23-16

Velma Jackson 2-0

The Cougars ran their record to 19-4 on the season and stayed unbeaten in Division 5-3A play with an easy sweep of Velma Jackson.

In the first game, Newton County scored nine times in the first inning and 11 in the third of a 23-2 win. Michael Tullos (1-0) got the win on the hill, as the Falcons had just one hit.

Jose Acosta had a homer and double for two of the Cougars’ 14 hits.

In the second game, Acosta (1-1) was the winning pitcher as Newton County blanked Velma 16-0 in a no-hit performance.

The Cougars had nine hits and took advantage of six Velma errors.

— Rocky Higginbotham



PREP SOFTBALL

Newton County 13

Forest 6

In a late softball contest, the Lady Cougars fell behind early but coasted past homestanding Forest.

Newton County broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the third, then pulled away with three runs each in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings.

Kasie Buckley got the win on the mound, while Anesha McClendon was the loser.

Buckley also had a triple and a single, while Megan Munn had a triple for the Lady Cougars, who host Southeast Lauderdale in Division 5-3A action tonight.

— Rocky Higginbotham



NE Lauderdale 14

Pearl 1

Northeast Lauderdale banged out 18 hits while pitcher Kaley Hill threw a no-hitter in the Lady Trojans’ trouncing of Pearl Wednesday night in fast-pitch softball action.

The Lady Trojans now stand at 13-5 overall and 7-2 in the division. They visit West Lauderdale tonight in another division game.

Hull helped her own cause with a triple and two singles and four RBIs. Leanne Young and Brooke Walters each went three-for-three at the plate, while Mallory Pace had three hits.

— Steve Swogetinsky