The Union University Bulldogs have just completed their first season transitioning into NCAA Division II, with an 11-32 overall record and a 4-21 record within the conference.
The Bulldogs competed against eight teams this year that they played against in the past, including William Carey University, Bethel University and Trevecca Nazarene University.
Union competed in one game against NAIA No. 18-ranked William Carey University, losing 0-2. The Bulldogs played in a three game series against Bethel University.
The first game of the series against Bethel was an incredibly intense game.
The Bulldogs were losing 4-0 until the eighth inning. The Bulldogs ended up coming back and beating the Bethel Wildcats 7-4.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs would lose the second and third game in the series.
Union also competed against Trevecca Nazarene University two separate times. The Bulldogs lost the first game 3-9 and lost the second game 3-8.
The teams the Bulldogs competed against this season were new competitors who had already made a name for themselves in NCAA Division II.
Several teams the Bulldogs faced were highly ranked within the division and had incredible season records both past and present.
The nine teams added to the Bulldog roster this season were NCAA No. 1-ranked Delta State University, No. 4-ranked University of Alabama-Huntsville, No. 6-ranked University of West Florida, No. 14-ranked Southern Arkansas University, University of West Georgia, Harding University, Valdosta State University, Shorter University and University of North Alabama.
Union played two games against Southern Arkansas University and beat them both times. The Bulldogs won the first game 4-3 and the second game 7-2.
The Bulldogs also competed in a three-game series against No. 6-ranked University of West Florida Argonauts, losing the first game 4-10, losing the second game 1-4 and winning the third game 5-2.
Next year will be the second and final year of the probationary period before the Bulldogs will be completely entering NCAA Division II.
The team’s eight seniors are outfielder Colton Speed, second baseman and pitcher Benjie Fesmire, first baseman Kody Pinson, third baseman Cole McAdams, pitcher and outfielder John Reed, pitcher Jared Davis, pitcher and infielder Justin Bryan and pitcher Jeremy Stack.
The Bulldogs’ 2013 post-season NCCAA Mideast Region baseball tournament began Wednesday in Nashville, and the first team the Bulldogs faced was Tennessee Temple University, which has an overall record of 16-20.
Results of that game were not available at press time.