Union Academy Defeats North Stanly

In a thrilling showdown, Union Academy (14-6) held off a late surge from North Stanly (16-3-1) to clinch a spot in the Yadkin Valley Conference finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. This win served as sweet revenge for Union Academy, avenging their earlier 4-1 loss to North Stanly back in March.

Union Academy Assistant Coach Tracy Holmes expressed his outlook on the upcoming competition before the game stating that “North Stany’s pitcher Sophia Crist has a great rise ball and has been very hard to hit all year long.” 

North Stanly had showcased their strength throughout the season, making Union Academy fully aware of the tough challenge ahead. However, Holmes remained optimistic, believing in the Cardinals' ability to rise to the occasion, especially given their success earlier in the season against strong opponents like Crist.

On the pitching front, Avery Wilson delivered a standout performance against North Stanly, pitching a complete 7 innings with 7 strikeouts and maintaining an impressive 1.00 ERA for the evening. Wilson's stellar pitching limited the Comets to just 1 run, highlighting her crucial role in Union Academy's victory. Wilson's impact wasn't limited to the mound; she also contributed offensively, going 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

A pivotal defensive play of the night came from Riley Griffin, whose clutch throwout of Kylie Speights at home plate in the bottom of the seventh inning preserved Union Academy's narrow 2-1 lead, securing the crucial win.

Offensively, Taylor Surratt stepped up for Union Academy, going 2-for-2 with a run scored, showcasing her reliability at the plate and contributing significantly to the Cardinals' success.

Union Academy's recent stellar performances, winning six of their last seven games, has propelled them to an impressive 14-6 record for the season, setting the stage for a thrilling conference finals matchup.