If this is the way conference play is going to go, then Union Pines’ varsity softball team is in for an exciting ride.

Brittany Belton drove in Ebony Walker with the winning run as the Lady Vikings beat visiting Gray’s Creek 11-10 in nine innings Friday in their Cape Fear Valley 3A Conference opener.

Union Pines trailed 8-1 at one point and 10-3 at another before scoring seven runs unanswered to tie the game at 10-all and send it into extra innings.

After a scoreless eighth and top of the ninth, Walker drew a two-out walk and scored from first base when Belton laced a hit into right-center field.

Tyler Ross was the winning pitcher. The freshman lefthander threw five innings in relief of starter Kyrin Walker.

Union Pines is now 4-2 on the season heading into Monday’s home game versus nonconference foe Scotland at 7 p.m.

Lady Pats Drop J-M

Pinecrest’s varsity softball team picked up a 7-5 win while visiting nonconference foe Jordan-Matthews on Friday.

Sophomore Keely Robinson pitched a complete game and was the winning pitcher. She also batted 2-for-5.

Felicia Painter went 2-for-4 with the bat, and Lindsay Parkin, Lizzie Smith, Riley Robinson and Destani Baker all added a hit apiece.

The Lady Patriots (3-3) are at Eastern Randolph on Monday.

North Moore Routs Gray Stone

North Moore routed Gray Stone in both baseball and softball Friday.

The softball team went on the road and won an 18-0 shutout to improve to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Yadkin Valley 1A Conference play. Meanwhile, the varsity baseball team hosted Gray Stone and won 17-3 to improve to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

The Mustang baseballers are back in action Monday in a noncerence game at Jordan-Matthews. Tuesday, North Moore hosts South Stanly in both baseball and softball, with the softball game scheduled for 6 p.m. and baseball to start at 7 p.m.

Patriots Shut Out Mustangs

The offense scored four goals and the defense was impenetrable as Pinecrest turned back North Moore 4-0 in girls’ soccer Friday at the John Williams Athletic Complex.

The Lady Patriots (3-2-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) took a 3-0 lead into halftime after outshooting the Lady Mustangs 20-0 in the first half.

Antonia Meyers scored the first goal in the 11th minute off an assist from Ally Parziale. Kristen Phelps made it 2-0 with a goal in the 18th minute, before Keegan Lynch set the halftime margin by burying a shot off a corner kick from Kate Hieronymus.

It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Pinecrest is back in action Monday at Scotland at 7 p.m.

North Moore (3-3, 3-0 Yadkin Valley Conference) plays again Monday hosting Southwestern Randolph at 6 p.m.

Vikes’ Win Streak Snapped

The Union Pines girls’ soccer team had a three-game winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Northwood on Friday.

The visiting Chargers (3-0-1) entered the match as the No. 4-ranked team in the state soccer coaches association 2A poll.

Missing sophomore forward Carly Lively, the Vikings trailed 1-0 at the half, before senior forward Ellie Reynolds was forced to sit out the second half with muscle tightness in her left leg.

Union Pines managed four quality looks at the goal in the second half, all created by Anna Pilson.

Junior keeper Cristina Morcom made several stunning stops, totaling 14 saves on the night. A goal by Northwood with 16:20 remaining in the first half proved to be the difference.

Union Pines (4-4, 2-0 Cape Fear Valley Conference) hits the road Monday for a league match against Western Harnett at 7 p.m.

UP Tennis 5-0 in League

With three league victories this week, the Union Pines boys’ tennis team improved to 5-0 in conference play and 7-1 overall.

Thursday, the Vikes defeated visiting Overhills 9-0. Emery Valentine scored his initial victory for Union Pines, paring up with Eric Dinkins for an 8-0 doubles win. Senior Nolan Evans had two victories in the match.

Senior Jay O’Connor collected a 10-0 singles win and teamed with Evans in doubles play for an 8-0 victory. John Dangerfield, Jon Fondrie and Jay Stalls joined Evans and O’Connor in collecting 10-0 singles victories, while Ty White won 10-1.