UNION CITY — Nathan Lucks was 3-for-3 with a double, homer and four RBIs, and David Manning came within one out of a complete game during Youngsville’s 10-5 Region 3 victory on Wednesday over Union City.

Manning was an escape artist, surrendering 14 hits, but allowing only five runs — three of which didn’t come until the seventh inning. He struck out eight and walked just one in earning his third win of the season.

Lucks’ big offensive game started early with the senior blasting a three-run homer in the top of the first. Matt DeSimone led off the game with a single, Talon Mesel reached on a fielder’s choice and James Johnson walked prior to Lucks’ second deep ball of the year.

In the second, Youngsville was unable to capitalize on a leadoff double from Cole Johnson. In its half of the inning, Union City had no such trouble. Aidan Shuman led off with a double and eventually scored on an Eagles double play to make it 3-1.

Lucks was in the middle of Youngsville’s next run, smacking a two-out double and eventually scoring when Manning reached on an error. Ethan Beers entered to run for Manning and eventually was thrown out at the plate to keep it a three-run game.

After a DeSimone single in the fourth scored Lane Buccardo, Manning continued to pitch out of trouble and keep the Eagles firmly ahead. In the bottom of the fourth, the Bears had already scored one run and had two men on with nobody out, but the sophomore pitcher calmly worked the next three outs without additional damage and Youngsville led 5-2 after four.

That score held until the top of the sixth when the Eagles pushed four runners across the plate.

DeSimone tripled and scored on Mesel’s hit before James Johnson reached on an error. Mesel stole home to make it 7-2, Johnson scored on Lucks’ fourth RBI of the game and Manning had an RBI groundout to score Lucks and increase the lead to 9-2.

The visitors added an insurance run in the seventh when DeSimone’s RBI single scored Cole Johnson.

Union City was able to score three in the bottom of the seventh as Manning began to deal with fatigue. Youngsville coach Eddie Dorunda turned to James Johnson to pitch and Johnson was able to strike out the Bears’ Luke Racop to end the game.

DeSimone led the Eagles with four hits, Lucks added three and Cole Johnson also had a multi-hit game with two hits.

The Eagles face another big Region 3 test today when they travel to Cochranton to square off with the Cardinals.

KNIGHTS PREVAIL

FRANKLIN — Eisenhower improved its baseball record to 2-11 Wednesday after downing Rocky Grove 7-5.

The Knights took the lead on a Caleb Jakubczak RBI single in the top of the first inning. The Orioles tied the game in the second inning and added another run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead.

The lead was short lived as Eisenhower scored six runs on eight hits in the top of the sixth inning, highlighted by Johnny Palmieri’s two-run single.

Eisenhower outhit the orioles 19-5 and did not make an error. The Knights were led by Shawn Pascuzzi and Derek Childs, who both went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Jakubczak went 3-for-4, Jarius Casey went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Mason Degnan went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Johnny Palmieri continued his strong season by adding two singles with an RBI.

Eisenhower received strong pitching from Childs and relief pitcher Michael Palmieri. Childs gave up three hits with six strikeouts 5.2 innings and Michael Palmieri tossed 1.1 innings, did not allow a run and gave up two hits.

“We are starting to play as a team and that is showing in our efforts,” head coach Alan Jackson said. “I’m really proud of the guy’s efforts today. Our seniors are really starting to perform to their ability and it is really good to see our young players stepping up.”

Eisenhower is back in action today when it travels to Northwestern for a 4:30 p.m. game.

DRAGONS FALL ON ROAD

EDINBORO — General McLane had 11 hits and took advantage of five Warren errors in an 11-3 Region 5 victory over the Dragons on Wednesday.

McLane (5-7 overall and 5-5 in the region) jumped out to a 7-1 lead after two innings against Warren starting pitcher Aidan Zdarko. The senior allowed eight runs on seven hits over four innings, but only four runs were earned. Carter Cochran relieved Zdarko for the final two innings, allowing three runs on four hits.

McLane sophomore Jordan Cannon threw a complete game, allowing 10 hits and two walks, striking out seven.

Offensively for Warren (3-7 overall and 2-7 in Region 5), Aidan Zdarko, Cochran and Colin Zdarko — in his first varsity start — had two hits and an RBI each. Konnor Hoffman also had two hits and Eric Dippold reached base three times (with a double and two walks) for Warren, which left 10 runners on base. General McLane left three on base.

Warren’s junior varsity lost 4-2. Felix Valencia and Jacob Franklin had two hits each and Phil Nickerson had a single to left in the loss.

Warren is next at McDowell on Friday and begins five games next week by hosting Corry on Monday.

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Steve Younger and Jon Sitler contributed to this report