MORRISTOWN — The St. Clairsville Red Devils hit some early-season bumps, but it was all smooth sailing Monday as St. C. collected a 12-2 five-inning road win against Union Local.

“We had the start of a new week,” St. Clairsville head coach Tom Sliva said about his squad, now 2-3 on the season. “We had a rough first week and we did some early season things wrong and we’re hoping to correct them and build on it. And I thought we did today.

“I thought we pitched well and we hit well and played pretty good D. We got some base running errors, but, you know, it’s things we can work on. We got work to do and it’s so early in the season, but, you know, it’s good to start off the week with a W. We got four more games this week.”

Hudson Florence picked up the win on the mound for St. Clairsville, striking out 10 while pitching all five innings. He had swing-and-miss stuff Monday, pairing good velocity with good command on his breaking ball.

“He did really well,” Sliva said of Florence. “He’s been really strong so far for us in two starts. Hopefully he’s only going to get better. I love his demeanor and I love his approach to it.”

St. Clairsville built a 9-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth, but Union Local worked the bases loaded and Eli Rogers came through with a two-run knock, shooting a single into shallow center to get the Jets on the board, 9-2.

The Red Devils worked six walks Monday, with three coming in the top of the fifth.

Matheson King and Colten Florence each drew bases-loaded walks and Jaxon Starks hit a sacrifice fly to put St. C. up by 10 and threaten a run-rule victory.

St. Clairsville catcher Landon Stack ended the game with a fine defensive play, pouncing on a short tapper down the third base line and making a whirling throw to first for the final out of Monday’s contest.

“We’re young and we showed it,” Union Local head coach Jim Hess said. “We didn’t show up tonight. I don’t know whether we were cold, scared, I don’t know what we were. We didn’t show up ready to play baseball. And the schedule that we play, we know that we’ve got to bring it every single night. And we didn’t tonight.”

Colby Carpenter and Blake Butkus combined on the mound for the Jets. Carpenter was saddled with the loss as Union Local moves to 3-2 on the season.

King finished with three RBI on two hits for St. C., a single and double. Niko Jacob tallied three hits, three runs scored and two RBI. Roby Hanna collected two hits, and Colten Florence walked thrice.

Rogers’ two-RBI day paced Union Local. Gunnar Bethel reached twice for the Jets.

Union Local remains home for their next game Thursday against Martins Ferry. St. Clairsville returns home to face Steubenville on Tuesday.