Union County scored seven runs in the first inning and held off a Livingston rally with four late runs to hand the Cardinals a 14-8 setback Thursday in Smithland.
Tristan Manahan had three hits, including a homer, and drove in three runs for the Braves. Coy Burns and Cade Duncan each had two hits and two RBIs, while Burns got the win on the mound with five innings of four-hit baseball. He struck out eight.
Isaac Payne and Josh Wilson each homered for Livingston Central as part of two-hit nights.
Livingston Central (0-2) plays at St. Mary Friday.