The Union Pines softball team’s historic season came to an end Saturday at Duke University, where the Vikings competed in their first-ever state championship series against defending state champion South Caldwell.
The best-of-three series began Friday night, with the Vikings falling 5-2 in game 1. Union Pines went 6-for-25 at the plate, drawing two walks and scoring two runs. Kaitlyn Blue got the start in the circle, recording two strikeouts while allowing one walk and five hits.
The biggest blow came in the third inning when Clemson commit McCartney Harrington launched a grand slam to give South Caldwell control of the game. Kileigh Cameron and Allie Bauer scored in the sixth inning for the Vikings, but the rally came up short as South Caldwell claimed the opening game.
Facing elimination Saturday afternoon, the Vikings answered the challenge in game 2.
Union Pines jumped out to a 5-0 lead through the first two innings. Madison Stein drove in one run, while Avery Jessup added two RBIs. South Caldwell chipped away with two runs in the third inning and two more in the seventh, but the Vikings held on for a 5-4 victory to force a decisive game 3.
The winner-take-all game followed shortly after.
After pitching game 2, Blue was given a chance to rest as Bauer got the start in the circle. South Caldwell scored four runs in the first inning before Blue entered in relief and finished the game. She held the defending champions scoreless until the sixth inning and finished with four strikeouts and one walk.
The Vikings battled throughout the game, but the offense couldn’t get going. Union Pines managed five hits and finished 5-for-27 at the plate while being held scoreless in an 8-0 loss.
Although the Vikings fell two games to one in the championship series, their names are forever etched in Union Pines history. The team captured the 6A East Regional Championship and finished as the 2026 NCHSAA 6A State Runner-Up.
Union Pines finished the season with an impressive 28-4 record and opened the year by winning its first 22 games.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the way they have grown together as a team,” said head coach James Blue. “They would never quit. We were always in the fight, and that’s all I can ask for.”
While five seniors will graduate next week and four players will continue their careers at the collegiate level, the future remains bright for the Vikings. With the core returning, Union Pines appears to be in a strong position to make another championship run next season.
~Article and photo by Curtis Self, a Sandhills Sentinel reporter and owner of Moore Daily Sports. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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