The Union Lady Knights have won three of their last four games en route to a .500 record and a fourth place standing in the division, their highest this season.

The girls won the second game of a tournament two weekends ago over Edgewood-Colesburg, catapulting them to a blowout 12-2 win over Hudson on Wednesday, June 6. Pitcher Sam Barz was dominant, throwing six innings and giving up just two earned runs on five hits. She struck out nine, a season high for her, and walked only one.

On the offensive end, her sister, Lauren Barz, has three RBI on four hits and one walk. She scored three runs, and homered in the contest. Peyton Bockholt also had three hits, and first baseman Sara Jesse drove in two runs.

The following game against Jesup would swing the other way, however, as the girls failed to keep the momentum going. Barz struggled on the mound and gave up nine earned runs. She did have good control, striking out five, but pitched to contact and paid for it. Peyton Bockholt drove in the team’s lone run.

A return home proved to be a good remedy for the Lady Knights, as they shut out visiting Jesup 3-0. Barz pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.

She was also responsible for the bulk of the team’s offense, driving in two runs. Bockholt, Raini Hilmer and Jessica Bohnstengel also had hits.

The girls hosted a doubleheader against regional rival Vinton-Shellsburg on Wednesday, which ended too late to be included in this edition. They now sit at 5-5 with a good chance to make up ground with a string of six home games over the next week.