CLEMSON — The Union NL Stars suffered a heart breaking loss to Surfside Beach, 9-7 Tuesday night in state tournament play. This is the team’s first loss in the double-elimination tournament and they will play again tonight vs. Dillon at 5:30 p.m.

Head coach John Cheek sees the loss as a turning point for the better.

“Spirits are up after last night’s loss. The team knows what we have to do going in to Wednesday’s game versus Dillon,” Cheek added.

The Union NL All-Stars fell behind early as Surfside Beach took a 8-0 lead in the second inning. Union would get their first run by way of a solo home run by La’Bryon “Debo” Woods in the bottom of third. Dexlie Inman relieved Woods from the mound in the bottom of the fourth and with two opposing runners on base, Union’s Jay Thompson made a spectacular run-saving catch at the right field fence. The team used this defensive display to swing momentum their way in the bottom of the fourth as they powered back for four runs. JD and JT Cheek both singled and Inman hit a 3-run home run to cut her team’s deficit.

“Dexlie played a beautiful game. She stopped the bleeding with her pitching in the top of the fourth and then she would hit her first ever home run.” coach John Cheek added.

The team would head in to the fifth inning only behind, 8-5. After holding Surfside Beach scoreless in the fifth inning, Union couldn’t muster any runs.

Surfside would put up another run to add their 9-5 lead in the top of the sixth. Union would come to bat in the last inning with hopes of securing the win. JT Cheek lead off with a single and brother JD Cheek would follow with a single of his own. Inman walked to load the bases and after another Surfside base on balls Union would add a run to make the score, 9-6. Union would get one more run in the bottom of the sixth before stranding runners on base for the 9-7 loss.

Union will play Dillon at 5:30 p.m. in an elimination game at W.C. Nettles Park in Clemson .