April 7, 2006

By Steven Aldridge, UU Sports Information
 
JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University (Tenn.) Lady Bulldogs topped their crosstown rivals Lambuth University 7-1 and 4-3 in a double header played at Lambuth University (Tenn.) on Tuesday afternoon.  In the process, Union's senior center fielder and Dyersburg, Tennessee native Holly Haycraft, set a new Union record with five stolen bases in a game. 
 
In the second game of the afternoon, Haycraft was 3-for-3 and was hit by a pitch as she reached base all four time she came to the plate.  And each time she stole second base.  However, in the seventh inning, Union found themselves down by one run.  Haycraft reached on an infield single, the promptly stole second base.  Then with two outs, Union head coach David Blackstock noticed something and took a chance as he gave Haycraft the signal to steal third.  Haycraft not only stole third base, but tied the game when the catcher's throw sailed into leftfield.  Haycraft scored three of Union's four runs in the game-two win.  Candace Cross recorded an RBI in the game, while senior cater Kylie Sullivan recorded two hits in four at bats.
 
In addition to breaking her own Union record of four stolen bases in a game with her five today, Haycraft is also just eight steals away from the NAIA National stolen base record.  She already holds the Union record for steals in a game (5), steals in a season (55), and steals in a career (140 entering her senior year).  She currently sits at 161 for her three-plus seasons and is seeking to break the NAIA record of 169.
 
Game one saw Lambuth take a quick 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning.  Union quickly answered with two runs in the top of the fourth inning on an sacrifice fly by Sullivan and an RBI single by Kristen Kolter.  Union added five more runs in the top of the sixth inning to seal the win.  Haycraft was 2-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base and Kolter was 2-for-4 with and RBI.  Jessica Kee's two-RBI double in the sixth helped Union to their big win.
 
Union improves to 25-9 on the season.  Up next for Union will be a TranSouth battle at NAIA No. 20 Martin Methodist College (Tenn.).