Abbott Uses 10-Run First to Rout Union Hill in 1A Semifinals

ROUND ROCK -- The Union Hill Bulldogs' unlikely run through the playoffs ended unceremoniously Friday morning in the Class A state semifinals.

Abbott sent 13 men to the plate and scored 10 runs in the first inning en route to a 12-0 rout of Union Hill at Dell Diamond.

The Panthers (28-3-1), making their first state tournament appearance since 1985, will play either Gail Borden County or Fayetteville at 9 a.m. Saturday for the 1A championship.

Union Hill (9-14) which went winless in district play and finished with just three wins during the regular season, captured three consecutive best-of-three series in the playoffs to reach its first state tourney since 2006.

The Bulldogs competed in District 19-2A, but their school enrollment designated them for 1A classification for the postseason. The UIL allowed two 1A schools from each 2A district to make the playoffs.

Abbott junior pitcher Hunter Pope tossed five no-hit innings. He struck out eight and walked three.

Pope got plenty of run support as the Panthers erupted for 10 in the first inning.

The inning included six hits, two walks, two errors, and two balks by Union Hill freshman left-handed starting pitcher Kealin Dunn.

Brent Mynar and Pope combined for four hits and six RBIs in the half inning that lasted almost 45 minutes. The duo each finished 3-for-3 with four RBIs for the game.