UNION — Union County climbed its way out of a hole on Wednesday night to take a 6-3 win over Woodruff in the second round of the pre-season tournament.

The Jackets allowed Woodruff to take a 3-0 lead before the bats got hot and the defense buckled down for six innnings of shutout baseball.

Union County went three up, three down in the first inning and Woodruff used three hits and two walks to take the 3-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets found their rhythm in the second as Will Palmer and Aaron Bailey each RBI singled to make it a 3-2 ballgame.

Union County starting pitcher Michael Todd Harris gave up a walk in the bottom of the inning before forcing two fly-outs and ringing up one at the plate.

In the top of the third, Harris singled and drove in Recus Hughes to tie the game at 3-3.

Mark Jeter led off the fourth with a double to left field, stole home and scored off a fielder’s choice to give the Jackets a 4-3 lead.

Errors cost Woodruff a run in the fifth and Union County tacked on one more in the sixth with an RBI single courtesy of Kennedy Beatty for the 6-3 final.

After the shaky first inning, the Jackets touched up Woodruff’s pitching staff for seven hits. Palmer went 2-3 to lead Union County’s offense.

Cameron Queen replaced Harris on the mound in the fifth inning and handled Woodruff’s lineup with ease, racking up six strikeouts. He gave up just three hits over three shutout innings.

Harris recorded the win allowing three runs over four innings. He struck out four, walked four and gave up four hits.

Union County improves to 2-0 with the win while Woodruff slips to 1-1. Tournament action will resume on Friday night in Newberry. The schedule is being modified and will be released on the Union Daily Times facebook page when it becomes available.

Sports Editor Tiffany Grady-Hudgins can be reached by e-mail at thudgins@civitasmedia.com or by cell at (864) 251-4330.