Union Pines played the comeback card for a second time this week, erasing a 5-0 deficit to defeat Asheboro 9-8 Wednesday in Cameron.

Trailing 5-0 before even taking one swing against the visiting 3-A Asheboro Blue Comets (2-2), Union Pines answered by plating seven runs through its first three at bats.

Vike seniors Nic Collins and Justin Allred used the long ball to cut the deficit to 5-2 through one ininnig, as the duo hit back-to-back dingers to center field in the bottom of the first.

Union Pines plated five runs on three hits, three walks and a sacrifcie in the third frame to take an 7-5 advantage.

Jeffrey Thompson and Emmitt Carden each had two RBIs a piece in the frame. Thompson's came on homer to deep center that cut the Blue Comet lead to 5-4. Later Carden delivered a two-strike, two-out backside single to right that gave the Vikes a 6-5 edge. After reaching the sophomore second baseman stole three bases, including home, to give Union Pines a two-run lead.

Collins accounted for both of the Vikes final two runs. In the fourth inning the senior captain southpaw belted a rope to right that banged off the fence to plate Thompson. Then in the sixth inning with one away, the four-year starter fought off a high outside pitch, driving it deep the other way to plate his brother, sophomore Mason Collins.

Allred got the win for Union Pines, pitching two scoreless innings (in the second and third frames) while registering three Ks. Then senior lefty Seth Breasseale tallied seven strikeouts, while allowing three unearned runs on two hits, one walk and two Vikings errors, to get a rare four-inning save.

Union Pines improved to 2-2 on the season with the victory, its second of the week. Monday the Vikes battled back from a 7-1 deficit to top Pinecrest (3-1) 10-9.

The Vikings are slated to finish the week with their 3-A Cape Fear Valley Conference opener Friday at 7 p.m. back in Cameron against the Douglas Byrd Eagles.