Baseball Swept by USC Union

Game Recap: Baseball
2/3/2025 | Shaun Schetka

Cedar Bluff, VA – The Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) Flying Eagles (0-4) hit the road this past weekend, traveling to Union, South Carolina, for a four-game series against USC Union. Despite coming up short in all four matchups, the Flying Eagles showed grit and flashes of potential as they continue to grow early in the season.

Game 1: Flying Eagles Hang Tough in 4-1 Loss

SWCC wasted no time putting pressure on USC Union’s defense. In the first inning, Damien Boyd reached on an errant throw by the shortstop, followed by Graham Irvin reaching on another miscue to put runners on first and second. A walk to Logan Williams loaded the bases, and Gabe Cuellar’s ground ball to third forced yet another error, allowing Boyd to cross the plate and give SWCC an early 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the Flying Eagles couldn’t build on that momentum, leaving the bases loaded.

Freshman Dagan Barton took the mound for SWCC, working 1.1 innings while allowing one earned run on no hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. USC Union tied things up in the second with a sacrifice fly from Hayden Friend.

After a quiet top of the third, USC Union capitalized on a leadoff triple by Josh Jackson, bringing him home with a sacrifice fly. Another two singles and a defensive miscue set up a second run in the inning. The home team tacked on another in the sixth to secure the 4-1 win.

Cason McInnis was a bright spot for SWCC, collecting two doubles. Freshman Peyton Maines took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings of relief.

Game 2: Strong Start Fades as SWCC Falls 8-3

SWCC struck first again in Game 2. Peyton Dodson led off with a single, moved up on a walk, and advanced to third on a dropped third strike. A wild pitch allowed him to score, giving the Flying Eagles an early 1-0 advantage.

Brayden Dilday took the hill for SWCC but struggled to find his rhythm. After hitting USC Union leadoff man Josh Jackson, who promptly stole second, Dilday surrendered a triple to Aiden Talarico. A walk and a double play seemed to slow the damage, but three straight singles, a hit batter, and an error turned the inning into a six-run outburst for USC Union.

The home team added a solo homer in the second, and although Ethan Roberts responded with a solo shot of his own in the third, USC Union added another run in the fourth to maintain control.

SWCC managed one last push in the seventh when Hunter Welch doubled to drive in Caleb Johnson, but the deficit was too much to overcome. Dilday took the loss, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits in 1.2 innings. Dodson led the offense with two hits.

Game 3: USC Union’s Early Surge Sinks SWCC in 16-3 Loss

Looking to bounce back in Game 3, the Flying Eagles ran into early trouble. USC Union came out swinging, putting up 15 runs in the first two innings and never looking back.

Harrison Felger got the start for SWCC but lasted just one-third of an inning, allowing four runs (three earned) on one hit with three walks. Freshman Kieran Robertson stepped in but was unable to stop the bleeding, giving up seven runs (six earned) on six hits in two-thirds of an inning.

The bright spot for SWCC came in the fifth inning, when Graham Irvin knocked in two runs with a single, but by then, the damage had been done.

Game 4: Flying Eagles Show Fight in 11-5 Defeat

Determined to finish the series on a positive note, SWCC put up a strong effort in Game 4. Freshman Ayden Muliken gave the Flying Eagles a solid start, throwing three innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

SWCC jumped ahead in the first when Ben Campbell led off with a base hit, advanced on a Ronnie Hall single, and later scored on a passed ball. In the second inning, Tyler Markus worked a walk, stole second, and came home on another passed ball, giving the Flying Eagles a 2-0 lead.

However, USC Union chipped away, scoring in each of the next five innings to pull away. Hall and Boyd provided some offensive spark for SWCC, each collecting three hits. Boyd also drove in two runs, while Hall added an RBI of his own.

Up Next: SWCC Looks to Rebound Against Gadsden State

The Flying Eagles will aim to shake off the tough weekend when they travel to Gadsden State Community College for a four-game series beginning Friday, February 7. The first two games are set for Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 PM.