Union Pines hung on to pull out a 7-6 win over intra-county rival Pinecrest in a non-conference softball game Tuesday.

The homestanding Vikings jumped out to an early 5-1 lead through three innings. A two-run double by Janelle Imbriale got Union Pines on the board in the bottom of the first. After Onika Williams plated a run with a single in the second frame, the Lady Vikes got two more runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the third.

From there, Patriot starting pitcher Bobbie McDaniel settled down on the mound, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk in her final three innings of work.

Pinecrest struck for three runs in the top of the fifth to get back in the game, but Union Pines answered with a two-spot in the bottom half of the frame to take a 7-4 lead.

With one away in the top of the seventh, Patriot shortstop Rae Nunez deposited the ball deep over the fence in left center for a two-run homer. The blast plated Olivia Cioccolanti, who opened the inning by reaching on an error, and trimmed the Viking lead to 7-6.

Then Union Pines sophomore pitcher Tyler Ross got a pair of fly outs to retire the final two batters and pickup the complete game win.

One the night Ross allowed 6 runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks, while striking out three. McDaniel put in six innings of work for Pinecrest, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks, while fanning two Vikings.

Amber Nunnaley went 2-for-2 with the stick for Union Pines with a run scored and an RBI. Freshman Shelby Calcutt went 2-for-4 with a double and scored twice, while fellow frosh Onika Williams had three stolen bases and two hits from the lead-off spot in the Vike lineup.

Patriot leadoff hitter Destani Baker finished with two runs scored and two rally-starting doubles, while Channing Cooper had the Pats’ other RBI on a single in the fifth frame.

With the win, Union Pines is now 2-0 on the year, while Pinecrest moved to 0-2. The Patriots return to action Wednesday against Southern Lee in a non-conference game at Pinecrest, while the Lady Vikings next take the field Friday on the road at Scotland in a non-league matchup.