Softball Game Preview: West Stanly Colts vs. Union Pines Vikings

The West Stanly Colts will head out to square off against the Union Pines Vikings at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. West Stanly will be looking to extend their current ten-game winning streak.

West Stanly proved they can win big on Thursday (they won by 12) and on Wednesday they proved they can win the close ones too. They had just enough and edged out North Stanly 3-2. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Colts have posted against the Comets since April 20, 2016.

Madi Whitley spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered two runs (both of which were unearned) on four hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Payton Watson was excellent, scoring a run while going 3-for-4. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Union Pines). They were the clear victors by a 20-7 margin over Western Harnett on Thursday. The result was nothing new for the Vikings, who have now won five games by 12 runs or more so far this season.

Union Pines got a massive performance out of Kileigh Cameron, who went 4-for-5 with five RBI, three runs, and three doubles. Serena McCutchen was another key player, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-5.

Union Pines was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .639. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in five consecutive matchups.

West Stanly's win was their eighth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 14-1. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.5 runs over those games. As for Union Pines, their record now sits at 9-5.