Lady Viking junior Tyler Ross continued her torrid tear with the bat Wednesday in Fayetteville, driving in five runs to help Union Pines pick up a 13-1 victory against the Westover Wolverines in 3-A Cape Fear Valley Conference softball.

Ross scored three times and went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, triple and an inside-the-park grand slam.

The performance upped her state-leading home run tally to eight on the season.

Prior to Thursday’s slate of NCHSAA games, the N.C. State commit and two-time reigning CFVC player of the year also leads the state with 28 RBIs, 24 runs and a slugging percentage of 1.906.

In addition Ross’ batting average of .688 is fourth best statewide and her .722 on base percentage is the fifth best total in the state.

Sophomore pitcher Carrie Marks earned the win on the mound for Union Pines, allowing a run on one hit and two walks, while striking out seven batters in four innings of work.

Ross spelled Marks in the fifth and final inning of the 10-run mercy rule shorten tilt, by striking out the side in order.

With the victory the Vikings improved to 6-5 overall on the season and remained atop the CFVC standing with a mark of 5-1 — half-a-game in front of second place Gray’s Creek (7-4, 4-1)

Other batting leaders for Union Pines included Kyrin Walker (1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, RBI), Janelle Imbriale 1-3, 2 RBI, BB), Lexie Coxe (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB) and Marks (2-3, BB)

Union Pines does not return to the diamond until next week when the squad travels to Asheboro Monday to take on Southwestern Randolph in a nonconference contest at 7 p.m.

UP Girls Get Soccer Win

After enduring its first loss of the season last Saturday in a 3-1 decision to Rocky Mount, Union Pines got back to its winning ways with a 7-0 league victory Wednesday against Westover.

With the win Union Pines improved to 10-1 overall and 6-0 in 3-A cape Fear Valley Conference action to remain in first place in the league standings at the midway point of the conference regular season.

Sophomores Hanna Kiser and Kooba Richard each scored two goals for Union Pines in the match.

Other Vikings to find the back of the net were Carly Lively, Catie Driver and Jessica Wlodarski.

The Lady Vikings hit the road tonight for a nonconference clash against 4-A Jack Britt (8-4-1) at 7 p.m. in Fayetteville.

O’Neal Nine Defeats LCS

The O’Neal baseball team improved its record to 3-1 with a 16-5 victory Tuesday over the visiting Falcons of Lee Christian School.

O’Neal’s leadoff batter Joseph Taylor scored four times, while two time all-conference senior third baseman Jordan Hunt drove in seven, including a grand slam that ended the game on the 10-run mercy rule.

Senior pitcher Matt Schoemmell notched the win for O’Neal, with the assistance of a solid effort behind the plate from battery mate Martin Zigovsky.

Vikes Top Gray’s Creek

Union Pines defeated visiting Gray’s Creek 9-0 Wednesday in a conference boys’ tennis match.

With two wins against Gray’s Creek, Kyle Gatti became the 65th Viking with 50 career wins. Gatti is 51-9. Union Pines is 11-0 overall and 6-0 in conference play.

Union Pines 9, Gray’s Creek 0

Singles — John Dangerfield (UP) defeated Sean Huse, 10-0; Kyle Gatti (UP) def. Jared Kaiser, 10-0; Adam Howard (UP) def. Brandon Harrison, 10-0; Jordan Allen (UP) def. Parker Hoyt, 10-2; Dylan Dinkins (UP) def. Shane Stelly, 10-0; Matt Lorenz (UP) def. Randell Cummings, 10-1.

Doubles — Dangerfield-Allen (UP) def. Huse-Kaiser, 8-0; Gatti-Howard (UP) def. Harrison-Hoyt, 8-0; Ben White-Shane Medlin (UP) def. John Kaiser-Nick Guilett, 8-1.

Falcons Fall in Boys’ Tennis

The O’Neal boys’ varsity tennis team dropped a close 5-4 decision Tuesday to Westchester Country Day School in High Point.

The Falcons suffered two tough losses in singles in third-set tiebreakers in falling behind 4-2 after the completition of singles. O’Neal is now 1-2 for the season, while Westchester Day improved to 3-4.

Singles — Garrett Klumpar (O) defeated Clayton Brewer, 6-3, 6-2; Carter Gay (WC) def. Evan Davies 6-0, 6-0; Adam Chinnasouni (WC) def. Ryan Williams, 4-6, 6-2, (10-8); Louie Vandeplancke (WC) def. Crawford Liner, 6-1, 3-6, (11-9); Chinchu Singh (O) def. Dan Goldman, 6-4, 6-4; Will Davis (WC) def. John Ronalter, 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles — Klumpar-Davies (O) def. Brewer-Goldman, 8-1; Gay-Vandeplancke (WC) def. Williams-Liner 8-1; Dylan Swartz-Caleb Wood (O) def. Davis-George Heath, 8-3.

Mustangs Split in Softball

The North Moore softball team split a pair of Yadkin Valley Conference home games this week.

The Mustangs defeated Gray Stone 12-2 in five innings Tuesday before turning around and dropping a tight 2-1 decision to Chatham Central Wednesday.

North Moore is 5-3 in conference play and 9-4 overall.