Second-seeded Linden High School defeated top-seeded Union, 3-1, in the championship match of the Union County Tournament at Jersey Lanes in Linden. The final day of the UCT featured the top eight teams from Monday’s opening round competing in a best-of-five Baker-style format.
Union won the first game vs. Linden, 196-180, but the Tigers roared back and rolled to victories in the next three games (189-169, 279-214 and 216-164) to secure the first-place trophy and medals.
The Linden lineup included Matthew Soto, Anthony Golabek, Darius Lewis, James Fitz and Justin Peters. Linden’s Golabek finished fifth in the individual UCT for bowlers. The Tigers and coach Cherie Pizzano last won the UCT in 2016.
Linden needed five games to advance past seventh-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood in its first match Thursday. The Tigers defeated Dayton High School, 3-1, in the semifinals. Union defeated Elizabeth, 3-0, and Union Catholic, 3-1, to reach the championship match.
On Wednesday, Union’s Kiara Powell won the girls’ UCT individual title as the top seed. Union’s Kevin Oliveria finished fourth in the boys’ individual tournament. The Union lineup also included Samantha Valle, Lacey Beall and Nick Melchionna.
In one Baker-style game, fifth-seeded Union Catholic defeated sixth-seeded Dayton, 215-204, to finish the UCT in third place.
