Panthers slay the Vikings in a close battle during game 2 of series
Business April 19, 2018
Wednesday, April 18th the Union County Panther baseball team faced off against the East Hall Vikings. This would be the second of three meetings on the season.
Pierson Allison took the mound for the Panthers.
UC played steady defense early as a Viking run would not score until the 4th inning.
The Panther offense sparked in the 3rd inning as Rich reached with a leadoff single. Scott followed reaching base with a 6 pitch walk. Dyer loaded the bases for the Panthers as he reached on an infield single. Banton singled to center driving in Rich for a score. However, Scott was thrown out at the plate for the second out. Daniel doubled to drive in a pair of runs and extend the Panther lead 3-0 after 3 innings.
C. Colwell and Rich led off the 4th inning with a pair of singles. Scott singled to drive a run in and advance Rich to 3rd. Dyer and Banton would also drive in runs to extend the Panther lead 7-0.
The East Hall Offense found stride in the bottom of the 4th as they would score a run in every inning to finish the game.
Allison pitched 6 innings for the Panthers allowing 4 runs, 3 of which were earned, 2 walks, and striking out 3 batters.
Ruff relieved Allison in the 7th with hoped to close the game as he allowed 2 hits and a walk to open the inning. Despite the “rough’ start for Ruff he finished allowing only one run as the Panthers claim the win over the Vikings 7-5.
Banton led the Panthers offensive going 2-4 with 3 RBI’s.
The Panthers improve to 9-19. The final game of the season will be Friday, April 20th as the Panthers host the East Hall Vikings.
Rebels come out on top, 17-7 win by mercy rule
Business April 11, 2018
Tuesday, April 10th, the Panther Baseball team faced off against the rival Fannin County Rebels in the first of three games.
Davis took the mound for the Panthers.
Davis struggled early as he allowed 9 runs in an inning and 2/3. Defensively the Panthers struggled having 4 errors in the first 2 innings. Davis allowed 9 runs, 2 of which were earned, 4 walks, and struck out 2 batters before J. Colwell relieved Davis.
However, the Panther offense scored early and often as UC scored an early run before trailing 2-1 after the first inning.
C. Colwell lead off the 2nd inning for the Panthers with a walk. Baggett walked and Harkins singled to load the bases for the Panthers. Banton drew a walk to tie the game at 2 before Daniel would reach on an error to extend the Panther lead 3-2.
Colwell and the Defense would continue to struggle throughout the game as the Panthers would finish with 8 errors.
The Panther offense fell off until the 5th inning as J. Colwell and C. Colwell would both gather 1 out singles. Baggett drove in 2 runs as he reached base with on a 2 out single to right field. Banton and Harkins would later collect RBI’s as the Panthers trailed 16-7 after 5 innings.
The Rebels would close the game in the 6th as Johnson reached with a leadoff double and was drove in by the following batter, Gobble, to put the Rebels on top 17-7 win by mercy rule.
Colwell finished pitching 3 1/3 innings allowing 8 runs, 6 of which were earned, as he also walking 6 batters, and finishing with 4 strikeouts.
Harkins led the Panthers in hits going 3-4 at the plate. Baggett lead the Panthers in RBI’s as he finished with 2.
The Panthers fall to 8-16 and 1-12 in region 7-AAA. UC’s next game will be Friday, April 13th as the Panthers host the Rebels in a doubleheader as the first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Panthers struggled against the North Hall Trojans
Business March 27, 2018
The Panthers hosted North Hall, Monday, March 26th for a region match up. The Panthers entered 7-8 and 1-5 in region 7-AAA.
Pierson Allison took the mound for the Panthers in his first start of the season.
The Panthers got off to a slow start as they trailed 4-0 after the first inning.
Allison was relived after 1 2/3 innings as he allowed 7 runs.
Harkins came in relief for the Panthers for his 8th appearance of the season
The Trojans led 9-0 after 3 innings.
Harkins pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing 6 runs, 3 of which were earned, 5 hits 2 walks and striking out 3 batters.
North Hall was led by R. Olson a Georgia Tech Baseball commit, Olson pitched 4 innings allowing 1 hit, 1 walk, and striking out 8 Panther batters.
The Panthers would continue to struggle offensively as they would not get on the board until the bottom of the 5th as they trailed 14-1. Although the Panthers did score it was too late as the run rule made North Hall the winner as the Panthers trailed by more than 10 runs after 5 innings.
The Panthers were led by Banton who went 2 for 2 with an RBI.
The Panthers fall to 7-9 on the season. The next game will be Wednesday, March 28th at North Hall HighSchool.
Panthers got a quick lead but didn’t get the W
Business March 23, 2018
Thursday, March 22nd, the Union County baseball team faced off against the Dawson County Tigers in a region 7-AAA matchup.
Junior Ian Harkins took the mound for the Panthers.
The Panthers got off to a quick start as they led 6-3 after 2 innings.
Harkins pitched 2.2 innings before getting into some trouble allowing 5 earned runs and 3 walks.
Daniel relieved Harkins after 2.2 innings.
The Panthers scored 5 again in the 3rd led by Davis with a leadoff single to open the innings. Baggett grabbed the first RBI of the inning.
Banton replaced Daniel in the top of the 7th with 1 out as they were tied at 11.
Banton pitched 3.2 innings allowing 1 fun and 2 walks before allowing 7 runs in the 11th inning as the Panthers fell to the Tigers 21-14.
Banton led the Panthers going 3-5 with 5 RBI’s followed by Dyer who went 3-6 with 2 RBI’s.
The Panthers fall to 6-7 and 0-4 in region 7-AAA. The Panthers next game will be Friday, March 23 as the Panthers will play a doubleheader at Dawson County HighSchool.
TeamFYNSports Writer Player of the Week: Chad Buzzard
Panther's Corner, Player of the Week August 28, 2017
This week’s #TeamFYNSports Sports Writer Player Of The Week is Running Back Chad Buzzard.
The Junior had an impressive opening game Friday against Gilmer County on the road racking up 111 rushing yards, scoring twice, & 10 receiving yards! You can catch Mr. Buzzard and the rest of the Panthers on the road on September 1st, when they travel to take on the Hayesville Yellow Jackets at 7:30PM!
Rivals Panthers and Rebels take it to the diamond
Business April 15, 2018
Friday, April 13th, the Union County Panther Baseball team hosted the rival Fannin County Rebels. The Rebels took the previous meeting 17-7.
Pierson Allison took the mound for the Panthers.
Both teams got off to quick starts as Buchannon drove in the leadoff walk for the Rebels as they grabbed the early lead 1-0 after a half inning.
Dyer tied the game at 1 as he reached home following an error by the Rebels.
The Panthers offense stayed hot early as they scored another run during the 3rd as Ruff drove in Harkins to gain the lead 2-1.
FC answered with a run of their own to open the 4th as Rogers drove in Martin to tie the game at 2.
Allison pitched 5 solid innings before running into trouble at the beginning of the 6th as the leadoff runner would reach home following a SAC bunt and a double by Rogers. Allison pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 of which were earned, 3 walks, and struck out 2 batters.
Sophomore Cayden Rich relieved Allison and struck out the first batter he faced of the evening.
Davis reaches on a single to leadoff the 6th inning for the Panthers as they trailed 3-2. Dyer would later drive Davis in with a SAC fly to tie the game at 3 entering the 7th inning.
Rich struggled entering the 7th inning as he walked the first 2 batters. Buchannon singled to load the bases with no outs for the Rebels. Rich collected by striking out Johnson before walking home Gobble as the Rebels regained the lead 4-3. Foresman would single driving in 2 more runs before Rich would be relieved by Everett. Rich pitched 1 inning allowing 4 earned runs, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Everett would close the game for the Panthers as he did not allow a base runner.
The Panthers fell in the first game of the evening 7-3.
Ean Harkins took the mound for the Panthers in the final game of the evening and the series.
Harkins pitched excellent early on for UC as he allowed 5 baserunners in 4 innings and not allowing a run.
Scott got things going for the Panthers in the bottom of the 3rd as he reached on a single and was followed by Baggett who did the same. Harkins reached on a bunt attempt that resulted in an error which also drove in Scott. Banton would later drive in Baggett with a SAC fly as the Panthers led 2-0 after 3 innings.
The Rebels got their offense going on the 5th inning as Everett entered the game for the Panthers. Everett allowed 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning before being relieved by freshman Zeke Swartz. Swartz faced one batter and collected the strikeout in the first Varsity appearance of his career.
UC trailed 3-2 after 5 innings of play.
Daniel relived Swartz to finish the game for the Panthers as he would pitch 2 innings allowing 2 runs and collecting 2 strikeouts.
The Panthers fall in game 2 of the doubleheader 5-2 to fall to 8-18 and 1-14 in region 7-AAA. The Panthers next game will be Monday, April 16th as they face off against the East Hall Vikings, it will also be Senior Night.
Panthers took on Tigers in an away doubleheader region game
Business March 25, 2018
Friday, March 23rd the Union County Baseball team faced off against the Dawson County Tigers in an away doubleheader region game.
Davis took the mound for the Panthers during the first game. The Tigers got on the board early as H. Sapp started off the inning with a leadoff double as Bearden and P. Sapp grabbed RBI’s.
The Panthers trailed 2-0 after the first inning.
Davis pitched 5 innings allowing 6 hits, 6 runs, 2 of which were earned, 1 walk and struck out 1 Tiger batter.
The Panthers were tied at 4 after 5 innings of play as UC used a 4 run 5th inning to tie it up.
J. Colwell relived Davis to start the 6th inning.
The Tigers led 6-4 entering the 7th inning.
The Panthers rallied to score 5 runs in the top of the 7th to grab the lead 9-6. Banton used a leadoff double to get things started. Followed by Daniel, Kelley, and Harkins who had singles.
Baggett stepped in to close the game and relive Colwell. Colwell finished pitching 1 inning and allowing 1 hit.
Baggett allowed 2 runs as the Tigers almost made a comeback. However, the comeback was not enough as Baggett collected the 3rd out as a strikeout. The Panthers won 9-8 and improved to 6-7.
The Panthers were led by Harkins and Schafer. Harkins batted 3-4 with 1 RBI followed by Schafer who went 2-3 with 3 RBI’s.
The Panthers won game one of two.
Rich started the game for the Panthers in his 3rd appearance of the season.
After 1 1/2 scoreless innings, the Tigers busted things open scoring 4 runs in large part due to 3 walks.
A scoreless 3rd inning by both teams, the Panthers trailed 4-0, after 3 innings of play.
J. Colwell relived Rich. Rich pitched 3 innings allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 walks, and striking out 1 batter.
Colwell struck out the first batter he faced before walking the next 2 and allowing a single.
Colwell pitched 1 inning allowing 1 run.
The Panthers used a 4 run 5th inning to trail 5-5 after 5 innings.
Everett replaced Colwell for his second appearance of the season.
A 10 run inning would separate the tigers as Everett allowed 5 hits, 2 walks, and 7 earned runs.
The Panthers would fall to the Tigers 15-5 as the Tigers run-ruled Panthers. The Panthers fall to 6-8 and 1-5 in region 7-AAA play. The Panthers next game will be Monday, March 26th as they host the North Hall Trojans.
First region game of the season Panthers took on Lumpkin County Indians
Business March 13, 2018
The Panthers faced off against the Lumpkin County Indians in the first region game of the season.
Ean Harkins took the mound for the Panthers in his 5th appearance of the season.
The Panthers offensively got off to a quick start scoring runs in each of the first 3 innings.
Banton was the first baserunner of the evening for the Panthers as he reached on a walk. Daniel followed with an RBI double.
The Indians got off to a quick start as well with a lead off triple but couldn’t capitalize as Harkins walked the following 2 batters.
Colwell led UC with a leadoff single to begin the second. Dyer followed with a HBP. Baggett would later drive both in with a 2 RBI single.
Despite 2 walks, 2 singles, and an Error the Panthers continued to hold onto the lead after the second 3-2.
The Panthers continued the quick offensive start led by Banton with a leadoff single to being the 3rd followed by Kelley with a single as Banton was picked off at first. Colwell would later drive in Kelley with a RBI double. 
Another rough defensively ming for be Panthers would tie the game at 4 as the Panthers allowed 4 hits and 2 walks in the 3rd.
Rich came in relief for Harkins after 3. Harkins would finish with 3 IP, 4 ER, 6 BB, 1 K.
A scoreless 4th inning for both teams would leave the game tied at 4 to begin the 5th.
Everett collected an RBI as he drove in Colwell on a double.
Rich struggled during his first 2 innings as he allowed 4 walks and 3 hits as he allowed 6 runs 5 of which were earned.
UC trailed 10-5 headed into the 7th inning.
The Panthers comeback was in full effect as Banton and Daniel started the inning off with singles. Colwell and Everett would follow up with RBI singles.
The Panthers fall to the Indians 10-7 as they fall to 5-3 on the season and 0-1 in region play. The Panthers next game will be Wednesday, March 14fh as they will host the Lumpkin County Indians.
Panthers get another win in the last game of the season
Business April 21, 2018
Friday, April 20th the Union County Panther baseball team faced off against the East Hall Vikings in the season finale.
Harkins took the mound for the Panthers.
The Vikings got off to a quick start as L. Cooper led the game off with a single and would later be driven in by T. Rider as the Vikings grab a quick 1-0 lead on the Panthers.
The Panther offense found their rhythm in the bottom of 
the second as they would grab the lead 5-1.
Baggett leads things off for UC as he reached on a 4 pitch walk. Davis followed reaching by way of a single and Colwell reached on a 5 pitch walk. Kelley and Scott both drove in runs as they got walked. A 2 RBI double by Harkins and a SAC fly by Dyer would put the Panthers in the lead.
Harkins pitched 3 innings allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, and striking out 2 batters.
Daniel relieved Harkins pitching 1 inning allowing only 1 hit.
J. Colwell would relieve Daniel to open the 4th inning. Colwell allowed 1 hit, 1 walk, and 0 runs.
Dyer reached base for the Panthers with 2 outs in the bottom of the 4th inning. Banton followed with a single. J. Colwell hit a double to left field to drive in Dyer before Banton would be thrown out at home. The Panthers extended their lead 6-1.
Rich relieved J. Colwell as he pitched 1 inning allowing 0 baserunners.
The Panthers entered the 6th inning with a 6-1 lead as freshman K. Hemphill entered the game for Rich. Hemphill pitched 1 inning allowing 2 runs, 1 of which was earned, and walked 1 batter.
Senior Banton took the mound for his last time as a Panther to close the game. Banton pitched 1 inning allowing 1 earned run, 3 hits, and 1 walk.
The Panthers beat the Vikings 6-4 and finish 10-16 on the season. The Panthers were led offensively by Harkins, he went 1-1 with 2 RBI’s.
Indians win on a walk-off single in the 7th to sweep the Panthers
Business March 19, 2018
Friday, March 16th, The Union County Panthers Baseball team played at Lumpkin County HighSchool. The Panthers had lost in the two previous meetings this season as they entered the game 5-4 and 0-2 in region 7-AAA play.
Banton took the mound for the Panthers in his 5th appearance of the season.
The Panthers got off to a good defensive start getting two quick outs before an error by 1st baseman P. Allison. 2 Indians runners would score this inning as Banton walked 3.
The Indians would get off to an early lead as they led by 4 after 2 innings.
The Panthers would get on the board in the 3rd as J. Colwell scores off a Dyer RBI single; followed by a Banton RBI single that drove in Baggett.
UC would get on the board again in the 4th as Kelley scores on a Davis groundout.
J. Everett relived Banton after 3 innings as he allowed 5 runs, 3 of which were earned. Banton allowed 5 hits and 4 walks.
The Panthers would get it going during the 5th inning as 3 runs.
UC started the inning out with 3 of the first 4 batters being walked.
The Panthers led 6-4 after 5 innings of play.
The Indians would tie the game during the 6th as an error by Everett let them get momentum.
The Indians would win on a walk-off single in the 7th to sweep the Panthers in the 3 game sweep of the season. As UC Panthers fall to 7-6.
The Panthers fall to 5-5 and 0-3 in region play. The Panthers next game will be Monday, March 19th at Dawson County HighSchool in a region 7-AAA matchup.
Panthers get the “W” over Wildcats with run rule
Business February 27, 2018
The Panthers hosted Rabun County Feb 26, in a non-region matchup. Jackson Colwell took the mound for the Panthers.
Colwell got off to a rocky start, Colwell 4 Batters and allowed 4 runs, 3 of which were earned in the first inning. The Panthers followed the rough first inning defensively with 5 runs of their own in the bottom of the first.
The Panthers led 5-4 after the first inning. Colwell would return to pitch in the second striking one out and walking another. Colwell finished with 2 IP, 3ER, 5 BB’s, and 1 strikeout. 
The Panthers used a huge second inning by RJ Banton as he drove in 3 runs on a triple to extend the lead 12-4.
Junior Ean Harkins entered to pitch in relief for the Panthers in Inning 3. Harkin’s is one of the two left handed Panther pitchers.
Harkins Pitched exceptionally well in relief allowing 1 runs and pitching for 4 inning. Harkins struck out 2 batters and allowed only 1 hit, however Harkins did allow 5 BB’s 2 runs reached one due to an error by 3rd basemen Daniel.
The Panthers would go on to run rule the Wildcats 16-6. The Panthers were led by Banton who went 2-3 with a triple, a single, and a walk. Candler Collwell followed up a solid performance in the following game with going 0-1 but had 5 walks and 2 RBI’s.
The Panthers next game will be Tues. Feb 27th @ Gilmer County. The first pitch is expected to be at 4.
#TeamFYNSports Sports Writer Player of the Week Bo Lynch
Business September 5, 2016
#5 FB Bo Lynch (Sr) 8 carries for 42 yds averaging 5.3 yds per carry. Lynch’s three touchdowns for 18 points helped the Panthers win over Hayesville 61-7. I enjoy watching a fullback run hard north and south averaging 5 yards per carry. Lynch runs with power getting the job done. Congratulations on being #TeamFYNSports player of the week.
#TeamFYNSports Sports Writer Player of the Week Cole Wright
Business August 29, 2016
#8 Quarterback (Jr) Cole Wright. Wright was 12/17 for 164 yards with one touchdown. Wright had 14 carries for 126 yards with two touchdowns. Wright put up 290 yards on the night scoring a total of three touchdowns and doing his part helping the Union Panthers win over the Gilmer Bobcats 36-16. Congratulations Cole on being this weeks #TeamFYNSports player of the week.