ATLANTA, Ga. - Union College kick started the 2008 season with a doubleheader sweep Saturday as it defeated host Atlanta Christian (Ga.) College 11-1 and 15-3.

Union is now 2-0 on the young season, while Atlanta Christian is 0-2.

Juniors Kenny Kysar (Corbin, Ky.) and Joe Grinstead (Bowling Green, Ky.) had big days as they combined to go 8-of-14 from the plate on the day. Kysar was 4-for-7 with six runs scored, three RBIs and two doubles, while Grinstead batted 4-of-7 with six RBIs and two doubles.

In the opener, Union received a solid pitching performance from junior right-hander Marty Popham (Louisville, Ky.) as it notched the 11-1 decision.

Popham tossed five innings, giving up only one run on two hits with five strikeouts. His lone miscue was turned out to be a solo home run.

Sophomore Trey Wheeler (Hopkinsville, Ky.) belted a three-run home run in going 2-for-3 with RBIs in the game. In the fifth, Kysar and Grinstead hit back-to-back solo shots.

The Bulldog offense kicked into high gear in the second game as it rolled to the 15-3, six-inning decision.

Junior Lioney Henriquez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the way with a 3-for-4 showing with two runs scored and three RBIs. In the third, Henriquez blasted a two-run home run for his first four-bagger of the season.

Kysar picked up two doubles and scored three times in going 2-of-4. Grinstead scored four times and drove in four as he was 2-for-3 with two doubles. Matt Brady (Louisville, Ky.) helped out by going 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

Junior left-hander Lance Doughtery (Canyon, Texas) picked up the win, allowing three runs, two earned, with one strikeout in three innings of work. Senior Greg Daughtery (Blair, Okla.) pitched two innings of shutout ball, and junior Chaz Bargo (Artemus, Ky.) tossed a scoreless sixth inning to seal the victory.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday, Feb. 9, when they play host to Indiana University Southeast in a twinbill, beginning at 1 p.m.

Bulldog Notes

• This is the fourth year in a row Union has won its season-opening game, but the first time Union has won its first two games of the season since starting 2-0 in 2004.
• Kenny Kysar and Joe Grinstead had 19 multi-hit games last season, and they each already have two in 2008.
• Kysar and Grinstead combined for three home runs in 2007 but have two already this year.
• In 2007, Union was 25-4 in games decided by five or more runs. The Bulldogs are 2-0 in 2008.