The Union Pines girls’ softball team hung tough Tuesday in Cameron to top Cape Fear Valley Conference rival Western Harnett 5-4.

Union Pines moved two games in front of the visiting second-place Eagles (4-2) in the CFVC standings with the victory, improving to 7-0 in league play and 9-3 overall.

Last season, the Lady Vikings found themselves in an almost identical spot against Western. In that contest, Union Pines came up short, suffering its first league loss to move to 6-1 in the CFVC and ultimately finish second in the league standings.

As Vike head coach Randy Calcutt attested, this year’s clash was a different story.

“All week at practice I talked to the girls about how we were in this same situation a year ago,” Calcutt said, “and we wanted to close the deal this time — that is exactly what they did and I am so proud of them.

“After the game I told them to enjoy this, because it was a huge step for our team. At the same time I reminded them to stay focused and continue to come out ready every day to do their jobs and accomplish our goal of winning a conference championship.”

Sophomore pitcher Tyler Ross got the complete-game victory for the Vikings, allowing one earned run on seven hits and one walk while striking out six. She also reached base three times in the tilt and scored the game winning run, in the fifth inning, after stroking a single and stealing second and third base.

In their first at bat, the Vikings scored four runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. An RBI single by Lexie Coxe plated Ross. Then with the score 2-0 and two outs in the inning, Amber Williams delivered a two-run double to right center to push Union Pines’ edge to 4-0.

Western broke through with a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Vike lead to 4-1. The Eagles used two hits, an error and a wild pitch to plate a pair of runs in the top of the sixth making it a 5-3 ballgame.

In the top of the seventh and final frame, Western pulled within a run when a sacrifice grounder by Sierra Holmes scored Caroline Womack. The RBI grounder left the potential tying runner on third with two outs, as Ross then painted the corner for a called third strike to retire the final batter.

Freshman shortstop Onika Williams went 3-for-4 at the plate for Union Pines with four stolen bases, while Coxe went 3-for-3 with a run scored.

The Lady Vikes return to CFVC action Friday in Cameron against Westover at 7 p.m.

UP Girls Soccer Tops Western Harnett

The Lady Vikings defeated Western Harnett 3-1 Wednesday in a Cape Fear Valley Conference soccer match in Lillington.

With the win, Union Pines remained alone atop the league standings with a CFVC mark of 9-0 and improved to 12-1 on the season.

Union Pines led 2-0 at the half on goals by Carly Lively and Madi Kramer. Kramer got her second goal of the night early in the second stanza to give the Vikes a commanding 3-0 edge.

Catie Driver, Mercedes Bracamonte and Kramer were credited with assists in the contest for the Vikings as Union Pines ran its current winning streak to 12 games.

The Vikes return to action Monday in Fayetteville against league foe Westover at 7 p.m.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com.