Stuckey sticks seventh-inning miracle

PROVIDING THE WOOD: Union’s Austin Woodward hits a 2-run tying home run in the bottom of the sixth inning Friday in the quarterfinals of the OSAA Class 2A/1A baseball tournament against Lowell. Observer photo BARRETT HENDERSON

With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Union received a gift from an unlikely source.

Vincent Stuckey hit a walk-off home run to keep the Bobcats alive in the Class 2A/1A baseball tournament.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. After being out with an injury the team has been so great helping me out.”

Before Stuckey could make his heroic performance, Union had to close a three-run deficit.

Lowell’s Austin Bloom connected on a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give the Red Devils a 1-0 early lead. The first basemen drove a Cody Billman pitch over the right center field wall.

Union’s Billman began to settle down in the second inning and the game became a pitching duel. Lowell’s Corey Kirkpatrick shut down the Bobcats for the first five innings.

Union replaced Billman with Austin Woodward in the top of the sixth inning and the sophomore seemed to be coasting after two batters.

The Red Devils then put a man on base and Daniel Casarez made Woodward pay. The senior catcher, who has signed with George Fox University for baseball, hit a two-run home run over the center field fence.

WELCOME BACK: Union’s Vincent Stuckey (3) is greeted by coach Greg Poor (01) on his way to home plate after Stuckey’s home run.

The Red Devils then put the game in the hands of Boone Casarez. The sophomore had to face the top of the Bobcats’ order.

After advancing around the bases, Kyle Langford scored Union’s first run on a Ritter Warren sacrifice fly. The Bobcats put another runner on base and Woodward redeemed himself from his mistake on the mound.

The sensational sophomore fell behind 0-2 in the count with two outs and then connected on a pitch over the plate and drove it over the centerfield wall.

With the game tied and the Red Devils shell-shocked, Woodward retired the Lowell batters in the top of the seventh inning in order.

That’s when Stuckey came to the plate. The sophomore has missed the last few weeks with a serious staph infection on the bottom of his foot.

He had surgery just weeks ago and was cleared to play by his doctor Thursday. Who would have thought the next day he would become a hero for his teammates, coaches and the community?

“They had to open up his foot and he was in the hospital for three days,” Poor said. “It was a pretty significant deal. He’s been coming and watching practices but hasn’t been participating. We talked with him and he understood he’d be out of the starting rotation but if the opportunity came up he’d get in.

“Vincent can hit the ball hard, so you know that possibility is there. So we made the call. We thought he could get a hit. We didn’t think he’d hit it out.”

The top four teams in Class 2A/1A made Tuesday’s semifinals. No. 2 Union (20-1) travels to No. 4 Salem Academy (18-5). The Bobcats hope that is only the first of two trips to Salem next week.

The state championships are played at Salem’s Volcanoes Stadium June 5.

Despite the elation shown by the young Stuckey and Poor, the happiest person at Union’s athletic complex may have been Stuckey’s mother.

As she approached her son with tears in her eyes, she could force out only five words, “I’m so proud of you.”

Welcome to the state semifinals, Union. Welcome to tales 20 years from now. Welcome to amazing.

OSAA Class 2A/1A quarterfinals

Lowell  100 002 0 – 3

Union   000 003 1 – 4

W- Woodward, L- Kirkpatrick.