THE NORTH GEORGIA NEWS October 15, 2014 Page 15A Lady Panthers survive Rabun scare; can’t get past Social Circle in 8-AA finals Darlington visits on Wednesday as Union hosts first round of State for fourth time in five years By Todd Forrest Busbee was 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs North Georgia News and 2 runs. [email protected] Tanner was 2-for-3 with an RBI double, Karley Nix was 1-for-1 with 2 runs, Chambers Social Circle continues to and Arrowood each went 1-for- have the Lady Panthers’ number 2. Freshman Braden Poteete, after they defeated Union 7-5 in Seabolt, and Crystal Busbee each last weekend’s Region finals. scored. Earlier in the week Union Chambers allowed 1 hit (26-6) needed three games to take and no walks during 5 innings care of Rabun County and earn the of scoreless ball. She also passed right to take on Social Circle the April Harper for second place on defending Region Champions, for the school’s all-time win list with a shot at the 2014 Region title. 34. Angie Hughes is first with On Saturday the Lady Pan- 79 wins. thers traveled to Social Circle At Social Circle Crystal and fell into a big hole right off Busbee finished 3-for-5 with a the bat. double and a run, Kelsey Nix went Union got a run in the top 1-for-2 with a 2-run homer in the of the first but the Lady Redskins fifth inning, Garrett was 2-for-4 put up 6 runs of their own in the with 2 RBIs. Arrowood had two bottom half of the first. After three hits and an RBI while Courtney innings, it was 7-2 but the Lady Busbee, Tanner, and King each Panthers got one in the fourth and recorded a hit and Seabolt scored two in the fifth to make it 7-5 but a run. were unable to get any closer. On Wednesday, Darlington Now Union will host Dar- will come to Blairsville for the first lington (12-18), the No. 3 seed round of State. A doubleheader from Region 7-AA. The winner will be played at 4:30 and 6:30 will face the victors from the (No. p.m. with game three if needed on 4 5-AA) Manchester at (No. 1 Thursday at 3:30 p.m. 6-AA) Wesleyan series. The Lady Panthers and In order to earn the right The Lady Panthers after placing second in the 8-AA Region Tournament. This week Union will host Darlington in the State playoffs. Darlington have no common to host the first round of State, Lady Panthers found themselves victories. only run of the game. in this particular game than us. opponents but Union defeated the Lady Panthers had to take locked in a heated battle for the After a 12-day layoff, the In the fifth, freshman Jillian We had an opportunity where North Murray 13-0, who shares care of Rabun County. Prior right to face Social Circle in the Lady Panthers’ bats immedi- Lawn reached on an error but was Nix hit a single with Garrett on several common opponents with to last Tuesday, Union County Region 8-AA title game. ately roared back to life with a left stranded. second to tie the game but it was Darlington. Head Coach Jessica Stewart had Union was able to find 6-run third inning during an 11-0 In the sixth, sophomore bang-bang play and it went in North Murray lost 8-3 to never lost to Rabun County, and some breathing room thanks to pounding. Lydia Arrowood reached on a Rabun’s favor. Dade County while Darlington after Union dominated game one a 2-run fifth inning that extended “I was very impressed with leadoff walk, senior Courtney Before Garrett’s homer split with Dade (L 9-4, W 10-1). 11-0, it appeared as if the Lady the Lady Panthers’ lead to 3-0 but the way we hit Rabun County’s Busbee later singled with two outs blew things open in game three, Coosa knocked off North Panthers would sweep the home the knockout blow came in the pitcher in the first game,” Coach and senior Kelsey Nix also singled Lawn connected on a bases loaded Murray 10-6 while Darlington doubleheader. sixth inning via Maddie Garrett. Stewart said. “She throws pretty but junior Maddie Garrett, who single to stake Union to a 1-0 lead defeated Coosa five times. Unfortunately junior sec- With a runner aboard, the junior hard and we were able to jump reached on a fielders choice, was after two innings. North Murray beat Adairs- ond baseman and defensive MVP cleanup hitter lined a shot into on her early and put 6 runs on the called out on a questionable call In the fifth Kelsey Nix ville three times while Darlington Karley Nix was hit by a pitch and deep left-centerfield that grazed board off the starter. I was afraid at the plate. singled and scored on a single split (W 6-4, L 6-2). was lost for the season with a bro- the top of the fence on its way to that not seeing live pitching in a The Lady Panthers went from senior Hallye King. Earlier The Lady Panthers will be ken hand. To make matters worse, the parking lot where it connected week and a half might effect us at down 1-2-3 in the seventh and in the inning, Courtney Busbee looking to advance past the first the Union County bats went ice with a pickup truck, giving a literal the plate some but the girls reacted game three was set for the next walked and scored thanks to an round for the first time since 2010. cold in game two and Rabun meaning to the phrase ‘insurance great and came through in game day. infield single by sophomore Ken- In last year’s first round, Union forced a third and deciding game runs.’ one with 10 hits.” “In game two our girls dra Tanner. no-hit Lovett in a 9-0 game one three with a 1-0 victory. Sophomore ace Laken Game two was a different seemed too relaxed after scor- In the sixth, Chambers win but dropped the next two. It wasn’t until the sixth Chambers was as close to unhit- story. ing 11 runs and kept looking for reached on a fielders choice and In 2012, Union hosted Bre- inning of the third and final game table as possible during series but The Lady Wildcats were another teammate to get the job with freshman Logan Seabolt men in round one but were swept. of the best-of-three series before the Lady Panthers still required outhit 5-2 but managed to eek out done,” Coach Stewart said. “I taking her place as the courtesy In 2011, the Lady Panthers were Coach Stewart and the Union all three games to fend off an up- a 1-0 victory. A one-out double in got concerned in the fifth when runner, Garrett took the first pitch upset by North Murray at home County faithful could finally start Lady Wildcats squad. In the the fourth inning proved to be the we couldn’t put any hits together of her at bat out of the park. despite taking game one. breathe a collective sigh of re- three games combined Chambers difference maker as Union made with runners in scoring position. In the 11-0 victory in game Two wins over Darlington lief. allowed just four hits and one matters worse with a passed ball, We still out hit Rabun 5 to 1, we one, Kelsey Nix went 2-for-3 with and Union’s seniors will advance Despite an overpowering unearned run, including a pair allowing the runner to reach third. just couldn’t do it with runners 2 doubles, 4 RBIs, and a run. Gar- to the second round for the first performance from sophomore of bookend one-hit shutouts in Five pitches later the run scored on on. Rabun was excited as the rett finished 2-for-2 with a double, time. right-hander Laken Chambers, the Union’s game one and game three a sacrifice fly that brought in the game went on and played harder 2 runs, and 2 RBIs, Courtney XC: Union men show improvement at NASCAR 2014 Unicoi; Garrison misses out with injury By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter By Todd Forrest 17th with Aaron Stafford leading North Georgia News the team with a 51st place finish Harvick gets third win of season [email protected] at 19:25. Cole Payne, Brooks CHARLOTTE, N.C.— met and HANS off when he Patterson, Daniel Kumler, Evan Kevin Harvick held off Jeff hit me. Yes, I’m mad. I don’t Helen - The Union County Browning, Jesus Polamo, and Jar- Gordon on a restart with two know what’s wrong with the Cross Country teams were part of rett Holbrook rounded out Union’s laps left in Saturday night’s guy. NASCAR needs to do a loaded field at White County’s top-seven. 334- lap Sprint Cup race for his something.” Mountain Invitational held at The Lady Panthers JV was third win of the season. Keselowski cooled off Unicoi State Park. 13th as Addie Murphy led the team “It’s great, and it came at in his hauler before addressing The Panthers placed 21st with a 53rd place finish at 27:32. just the right time,” said Har- the media. out of 30 teams, most of which Brooke Hamby, Hannah Quigley, vick. “We knew it was just a “Kenseth swung at my matter of time. The guys have were Class AAA or higher. Grace Rivera, and Sage Royston car during the final caution Freshman Lance Under- been building better and better causing damage that ruined my rounded out the top-five. cars each week. race,” said Keselowski. wood led Union with a 76th place The middle school girls “We’ve had a lot of He also said Hamlin finish at 18:05. Jacob Kelley was finished sixth as Zoe Sanchez led things happen that we couldn’t “stopped in front of me and 108th at 18:41, Jakob Brown was the way in 20th at 13:51. Anzly control, but now we’re moving tried to pick a fight”. 122nd at 18:58, Timothy Murphy Sherman, Grace Weldon, Lexie on. Our win tonight should let “I figured if we’re going placed 125th at 19:04, Adam Bach- Lance Underwood Ochoa, Sahory Salazar, Allison everyone know that.” to play car wars under yellow Kevin Harvick winner of Char- man was 150th at 19:07, Gehrig Vincent, and Madison Yost were Harvick started seventh and after the race, I’ll join, lotte Cup race. Furnished by NA- Patterson was 152nd at 19:42, coming in 100th at 24:03. Union’s top-seven. and led six times for a race- too,” Keselowski continued. SCAR and Cristian Garcia placed 166th Anna Danek was 106th The middle school boys high 162 laps. With his win, he “Those guys can dish it out, Richard Petty, Andrew Murst- at 20:18. at 24:12, Marissa Spaulding was were 19th with Colby Ives lead- automatically advances to the but they can’t take it. I gave ein and Doug Bergeron have As for the Lady Panthers, 122nd at 24:56, Cora Bauman ing the way in 49th at 12:48. Britt Eliminator Round, which will it back to them and now they built this organization into they are without two-time defend- came in 131st with a time of 25:43, Waller, Will Harkins, Grayson be determined after next Sun- want to fight.” a championship-contending ing State Champion Emma Garrison Raphaela Aleman was 138th - Blocker, Milo Bauman, Malachi day’s race at Talladega. There, NASCAR will determine team with world-class spon- who is battling shin splints, but she’s clocking in at 26:09, 153rd be- Patrick, and Connor Latka rounding the Chase field will be cut from Tuesday whether to penalize sors and partners. Many people expected to return before the Region longed to Kaitlyn Gallagher at out Union’s top-seven. 12 drivers to eight. No matter anyone for their actions. have noticed the progress be- where Harvick finishes at Tal- Chase leaders: 1. Loga- 8-AA meet, later this month. 27:15, and Adele Bauman was The UCHS squads will ing made here and I’m ready to 157th at 27:49. ladega, his victory at Charlotte no-3088, 2. -3082, build off this momentum. At Unicoi, the Lady Panthers race at Meeks Park on Thursday guarantees him a spot in the 3. Harvick-3081, 4. New- placed 22nd with Stephanie Busse Union’s JV men came in at 4:30 p.m. “My goal is to put the three-race Eliminator Round man-3077, 5. Edwards-3076, team in victory lane in 2015 that will ultimately determine 6. Gordon-3074, 7. Ham- and be a competitor in the Showdown... continued from 14A which four drivers vie for the lin-3073, 8. Kahne-3057, 9. Chase.” touchdown. championship in the season fi- Kenseth-3056, 10. Keselows- The No. 9 team will con- Meanwhile, the Wildcat nale at Homestead. ki-3038, 11. Johnson-3031, 12. tinue to be led by crew chief defense limited the Union rushing Jeff Gordon led 61 laps Earnhardt-3031. Drew Blickensderfer who has attack to just 24 yards. However, and finished .571 of a second After next week’s Tal- three Sprint Cup Series wins to Rogers caught 6 passes for 126 back. ladega race, only the top- his credit. yards and 2 scores. “I wanted to win and I eight drivers will continue on. “Sam is a really good fit “Our offensive line has tried as hard as I could,” said Kenseth, Keselowski, John- for RPM and will be a great ad- Gordon. “There at the end I son, and Earnhardt are on the gotten a lot better from last year,” dition to the team,” said Petty. wasn’t able to stay with Kev- bubble. “He’s a family man who fits Mancuso said. “We’ve just got to in.” KESELOWSKI TOPS trust our receivers, our line, and well with our core values and Jamie McMurray, Joey BUSCH AT CHARLOTTE he will be a great ambassador our defense.” Logano, Kyle Busch, Kyle Brad Keselowski took for our partners. Sam’s also The Panthers will go into Larson, Ryan Newman, Carl the lead from Ryan Blaney on proven that he can win races the Rabun County matchup fresh Edwards, Denny Hamlin and lap 187 of Friday’s 200-lap and compete for a champion- off a pair of road trips to Ogletho- were the remain- Nationwide race and held off ship. He came into the Cup Se- rpe County and Greene County. der of the top-10. Kyle Busch for his fourth se- ries with a steep learning curve “That’s something that Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a ries win of the season. from open wheel racing, but needs to be said about these kids, gear-shifter break about mid- Busch finished second, has shown in the Nationwide is how they responded after 2 hours ways of the race, and finished followed by Matt Kenseth, Series that he is a winner.” and 45 minutes to Oglethorpe and 20th, one-lap down. The team Ryan Blaney, , Hornish will replace cur- 3 hours to Greene County in back- tried to make repairs during Chris Buescher, Trevor Bayne, rent driver Marcos Ambrose to-back weeks and won both of The UC defense will face its toughest test of the season on Friday. several pit stops. Chase Elliott, Elliott Sadler, who will return to his native them,” Coach Allison said. “But I game as the 11 Alive Game of As of this writing on Mon- “There was a vibration and Chase Elliott. Australia at the end of this sea- the Week. To vote go to http:// day afternoon, Rabun at Union was in the car that broke the shifter Top-10 leaders after son. know that when we return home for in half,” he said. “After that the 30 of 33: 1. Elliott-1106, 2. Rabun County it’ll be a battle.” usatodayhss.com/2014/poll-vote- in the lead with 45.4 percent of the Weekend Racing: The car was pretty hard to handle.” Smith-1064, 3. Scott-1045, 4. Cup and Truck teams are at For the seniors, 2014 has for-the-team11-game-of-the-week- vote. Forsyth Central vs Sprayberry There was a lot of push- Sadler-1043, 5. T. Dillon-1042, here-4. was in second at 33.9 percent. the 2.66-mile Talladega Su- been a year to remember. Sev- ing and shoving in the garage 6. Bayne-1008, 7. C. Bue- perspeedway. The Nationwide en wins is the most by a Union after the race. Once the check- scher-912, 8. Gaughan-875, Series does not race again until County team since 2001, they have Pink out scheduled for Friday night ered flag flew, Hamlin and Ke- 9. Reed-820, 10. J. Bue- Nov. 1. clinched their first back-to-back It’s that time of year again - Pink Out Time!! selowski got together on the scher-792. Sat., Oct. 18; Truck Se- State playoff trips in team history, The UCHS football cheerleaders would like to remember track. Keselowski tried to turn HORNISH TO ries race 18 of 22; Starting and will finish with three-straight and honor those who have battled cancer. October is traditionally Hamlin around but failed. RPM IN 2015 time: 3 pm ET; TV: Fox. winning seasons, something that a time set aside for breast cancer awareness. The cheerleaders Coming down pit road, Sam Hornish will take Sun., Oct. 19; Sprint Cup hasn’t happened since the mid would also like to recognize those who have gone up against all Keselowski got into the side of over the driving duties of the Series race 32 of 36; Starting 1980’s. Kenseth and then hit the rear of No. 9 Richard Petty Motor- time: 1 pm ET; TV: ESPN. the various forms of cancer that are out there. This week’s game Stewart’s car. Stewart backed sports Ford in the Sprint Cup However, this team is refus- against the Rabun County Wildcats will also prove to be a battle. Racing Trivia Ques- ing to settle for just making the up and damaged Keselowski’s Series next season. tion: What older site was Tal- Let’s show our Panther support of Breast Cancer awareness by front end. Hornish joins RPM ladega Superspeedway built playoffs. That was the goal last wearing Pink to the game on October 17th at 7:30. There will be Once drivers were out of year and this group of young men from Joe Gibbs Racing where upon? a small booth if you would like to donate to the American Cancer their cars Hamlin had to be pre- he competed part-time in the Last Week’s Question: is determined to take another step vented from going up to Kesel- Nationwide Series this season forward in 2014. Society in Panther Alley. Coosa Creek will also have Panther pink When did NASCAR hold its items available for sale at the Panther Spirit Store! owski. As Keselowski walked scoring one win and four top- first race at Charlotte Motor Possibly a few steps for- off, Kenseth rushed up to him five finishes in eight starts. Speedway? The first race was ward. and more shoving began. He spent three full sea- the 1960 World 600, won by This has been an awesome A safe place for kids Eventually everyone was sons in the Sprint Cup Series Joe Lee Johnson. Note: The season but we’re still looking for “after the game celebration” separated with the help of their as well as two seasons in the 1949 NASCAR season opened 10-0,” Barnett said. “We’ve just got respective teams and officials. Nationwide Series for Penske on June 19 at the old three- to keep practicing as hard as we’ve The 5th Quarter “After the Game Celebration” will be “He’s a complete idiot,” Racing where he finished sec- fourths mile Charlotte Speed- been practicing.” held on Friday night, October 17th, immediately after the foot- said Kenseth. “He bumped ond in points in 2013. way with Jim Roper being de- Kickoff is Friday at 7:30 but ball game, at the shopping center across from Circle K, one mile me on the track, and then just “This is a great opportu- clared the winner. arrive early as the stadium will fill south on Gainesville Hwy. All students are invited to attend. The ploughed into me here on pit nity to join Richard Petty Mo- You may contact the Rac- up quickly. event will feature free food and a live band, “Drivenbyfaith.” road while I was getting out of torsports and the No. 9 Ford ing Reporter at: www.hodges@ my car. I already had my hel- team,” said Hornish. “Owners You can also vote for this Sponsored by Fellowship of the Hills Church. N(Oct15,Z8)CA race500.com. NT(Oct15,C1)ac