Last Thursday, the Union NL All-Stars lost to Surfside Beach 8-6 in the final game of the state tournament held in Clemson. The Union all-stars fought to overcome the early deficit, but could never manage to take the lead in the game. Head coach John Cheek was proud of his team’s efforts.

“They couldn’t have given me more. We fought hard, but just couldn’t get the hits we needed,” Cheek said.

Surfside Beach started the game with a bang by smacking a two-run homer for the early 2-0 lead. Union’s JD Cheek would answer with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to cut the lead in half. Surfside Beach answered with two more runs in the top of the second inning. The score remained 4-1 in favor of Surfside Beach, until Union posted two more runs on the board to cut the lead to one.

Union was behind only one run heading to the sixth and final inning. However, Surfside Beach quickly padded their lead by scoring four runs in the sixth inning to take the 8-3 lead. Union would come back in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs of their own before falling to Surfside Beach, 8-6.

Union NL All-Stars managed six hits in the game. JD Cheek hit a home run, JT Cheek hit a home run and a single, AJ Hunter singled and La’Bryan “Debo” Woods had two singles in the loss.

Three Union pitchers combined for nine strike outs in the 8-6 loss.

Coach Cheek was thankful for Union County’s support.

“The parents, the community, and all those who donated to provide the boys and girls with such a great experience, thank you,” coach Cheek added.