Youngsville catcher Cole Johnson applies the tag to Union City’s Daithin Kent at home plate to keep the shutout intact during Tuesday’s 5-0 victory over the Bears at Davis Street Field in Youngsville. Photo courtesy of Alicia Elfstrom

YOUNGSVILLE — The Youngsville Eagles are firing on all cylinders right now.

Dominant pitching, stifling defense and timely hitting helped the Eagles improve to 5-0 on the season with a 5-0 victory over the Union City Bears on Tuesday at Davis Street Field.

Tuesday marked the teams’ first meeting since they met in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals in 2023 where Youngsville emerged victorious.

“It was a total team effort tonight,” said Youngsville coach Eddie Dorunda. “Each guy in the lineup contributed, either at the plate or in the field. If we give that type of fiery effort every night, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Nathan Lucks pitched another complete game for the Eagles, allowing just four hits and striking out nine batters en route to his third win of the year.

“Nathan probably just threw one of the best games I’ve ever seen him pitch in the last three years,” said Dorunda. “His fastball had a little extra zip on it tonight and he was blowing it by them.”

Lucks was aided by some timely hitting from his teammates as well, including a three-run inning in the second to take control of the game.

Cole Johnson reached on an error and soon the bases were loaded after a Brayden Baker single and Lane Buccardo walk. Talon Mesel brought home the first run of the game with an RBI groundout. Moments later, senior Matt DeSimone crushed a two-run single to plate Baker and Buccardo and put the Eagles up 3-0.

Despite already having all the runs they would ultimately need, Youngsville would add an RBI bunt groundout from Wyatt Dalrymple in the fifth and a James Johnson RBI single in the sixth to close out the scoring.

Youngsville’s defense was equally as impressive.

Dalrymple soared above the dirt to rob Union City of a line-drive single and Buccardo and Mesel both had nice snags on line drives to the outfield.

The only real time the Bears threatened was in the sixth and a fantastic double play quickly snuffed out that rally.

Lucks fielded a bunt and threw a missile to David Manning at first to record the second out of the inning. On the throw, the Bears’ Daithin Kent broke for home from third and Manning fired a strike to catcher Cole Johnson who applied the tag to finish off a double play, end the inning and keep Youngsville’s shutout intact.

Baker was the lone Eagles player with multiple hits on Tuesday. DeSimone, James Johnson, Buccardo and Mesel also had hits for the winners.

Lucks finished the game despite having 70 pitches through four innings. The senior righty needed just seven pitches to retire UC in the fifth and nine more to get out of the sixth allowing him to go the distance.

Youngsville has a quick turnaround, jumping back into action today when it travels to Rocky Grove.