CAMERON — Union Pines flexed its muscles with a double-header sweep of visiting Jordan-Matthews in area softball action March 6.
In the opener, Union Pines (3-1 overall) scored four runs in the 4th before adding an insurance run in the 5th to close out a 7-3 win.
The Vikings had jumped to a 2-0 advantage after plating runs in each of its initial pair of at-bats before the Jets countered with two runs in the 2nd behind a leadoff single to left from LeeAnn Lilly, an RBI-double to center from Eve Long, and Aubree Wilson stealing home.
Jordan-Matthews took a 3-2 advantage in the 3rd when Emery Moore singled and later scored on an RBI-single from Lilly.
Union Pines would rally with its four runs in the 4th highlighted by a Cameron McCutchen triple.
Offensively, the Jets were paced by Moore who was 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and a run scored, and Lilly who was 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Long was also 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI while Avery Headen was a1-for-3.
McCutchen scored three runs with an RBI and two walks for Union Pines, while Kaitlyn Richardson was 2-for-2 with a run, an RBI and a walk, while Samantha Allred was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Kaley Evans picked up the win on the mound for the Vikings after hurling all five innings and allowing eight hits, three runs (one earned), no walks, and striking out four.
Mitchell suffered the loss after working all five innings and yielding seven hits, five runs (two earned), four walks and fanning four.
In the nightcap, Union Pines rolled to a 10-3 victory behind a four-run 2nd, and a five-run 4th.
Four errors proved too much to overcome for Jordan-Matthews as only four UP runs were earned.
Mitchell went four innings and was dealt the loss after allowing seven hits, seven walks and whiffing three.
Union Pines saw Allred garner the victory on the hill with five innings worked. Allred collected six strikeouts in the win while allowing eight hits, three earned runs and three walks.
Moore was 2-for-3 with a run in the loss while Mitchell was also 2-for-3 with an RBI, Headen and Ashlyn Ray 1-for-3 with a run, Lilly 1-for-3 with an RBI, Aubree Wilson 1-for-2 with a walk, and Claire Beck and Long drew a walk apiece. Moore also stole a pair of bases while Headen added another.
For Union Pines offensively, Richardson was 2-for-2 with a run, an RBI and a walk, and Allred was 2-for-3 with two RBI. McCutchen was a terror again at the leadoff spot for the Vikings, going hitless, but walking twice, scoring three runs, driving home another, and stealing a pair of bases in UP’s total of eight for the contest which included two more by Evans.