LANCASTER — It took three extra innings before the Union National League All-Stars would come out victorious 5-4 vs. Lancaster in the regional championship game last Friday night in Lancaster.

Fans witnessed two spectacular pitching performances by Union’s Shamar Glenn and Franklin “Red” Thompson and Lancaster’s Buckshot Flynn.

The pitchers combined for 26 strikeouts in the championship game.

Union kept the lead for the first three innings but Lancaster would tie the score at 4–4 in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was at this point Union’s head coach John Cheek got the word from Thompson.

“Red told me, ‘Coach, give me the ball,’” Cheek said. “It gives me cold chills thinking about it.”

Thompson came in for his team and pitched a “solid game.”

“He went to work,” Cheek added.

Union’s assistant coaches Darrell Smith and Dexter Inman called Cheek over to discuss how long Thompson should pitch — in case of the possibility they would have to play another game that same night.

“If Red goes out here and we play a double header, he won’t be able to pitch,” coaches Smith and Inman reminded Cheek.

“I’m gonna trust that Red will come out and close this,” Coach Cheek confidently replied.

The Union All-Stars would come up big in the ninth inning when A.J. Hunter would send the game winning home run sailing over the right center fence for the 5–4 victory.

The Union All-Stars will represent the region in state tournament play in Clemson.