Union County falls in quarterfinals

CONNECTION PERFECTION: Tyson Wicklander of Union County connects on this pitch from The Dalles during Union County’s 10-6 loss to The Dalles at Optimist Field. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

The Dalles used a four-run sixth inning to defeat Union County, 10-6, in the North Oregon Babe Ruth state tournament.

“It seems like that one inning is getting us every game,” Union County manager Shaun Cederholm said. “It hurt us bad this time because it ended our tournament.

After Union County tied the game at 1 entering the bottom of the second inning, The Dalles broke loose. They scored five runs in the inning and carried a 6-1 lead into the top of the fourth.

Union County committed six errors in the first three innings.

Union County made its move in the fourth inning. Casey Robertson and Josh Gambill each scored on wild pitches and then Jadon Bales and Tyson Wicklander both hit RBI singles.

Gambill reached second base with a stand-up double in the top of the fifth inning and Kyle Johnson and Bales loaded the bases with a single and a walk.

Despite The Dalles committing its fifth error in five innings, Union County failed to score and left the bases loaded.

Union County left two more runners on base at the end of six and The Dalles capitalized with its base runners in the bottom of the sixth.

The Dalles hit an RBI double and three RBI singles in the inning to take a commanding 10-5 lead going into the final inning.

After Johnson and Ty Coon reached the bases in the top of the seventh with two outs, Wicklander drove in Johnson with a hit to centerfield.

Union County failed to bring its final two base runners.

“I hope they now go out and enjoy their summer,” Cederholm said. We’ve been going everyday and keeping the kids tied up. They should go have some fun and be ready for school in the fall.”

Union County     010 400 1 –  6  3 7

The Dalles        150 004 x – 10 6 9