The Union Pines Vikings will face off against the South Brunswick Cougars at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Union Pines is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.9 runs per game this season.
Union Pines is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They came out on top against Franklinton by a score of 14-10. The high-scoring effort was just what the Vikings needed considering they were shut out in their previous match.
Kelsey Knight looked comfortable as she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Kileigh Cameron and Elizabeth Andrews did most of the damage at the plate: Cameron went 2-for-5 with one home run, four RBI, and one double, while Andrews got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three runs, two RBI, and one double. Caidence Crabtree was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Union Pines kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are 15-2 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, South Brunswick's rock-solid pitcher showed up for the team's fifth consecutive shutout on Tuesday. They didn't even let Western Harnett on the board, marking the Cougars' second-straight 10-0 shutout. The Cougars might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten games by six runs or more this season.
South Brunswick let Savana Burgess and Addison Woodruff run wild. Burgess went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one triple, and one run, while Woodruff went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one double. That's the most RBI Woodruff has posted since back in February of 2024. Another player making a difference was Olivia Brown, who went 2-for-3 with three runs and one triple.
South Brunswick has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 11 of their last 12 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-2 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.5 runs on average over those games. As for Union Pines, they pushed their record up to 18-9 with the win, which was their sixth straight at home.
Union Pines' speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's match. The Vikings have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.3 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for South Brunswick, though, as they've been averaging only 1.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Union Pines continue to outrun the ball? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
