Union County’s varsity softball team defeated AC Flora 10-0 in six innings on Thursday to open its playoff run.

Britni Ward was the winning pitcher, with five strikeouts. She gave up just two hits and a walk.

The Jackets had 12 hits. Jessica Fisher was 3-for-4 and scored three runs; Ward was 2-for-4 with two doubles and 3 RBIs; Andrea Eison was 2-for-4 with a double; Abby Allen was 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

“It was a good game for us,” said coach Danny Gault. “We’ve been playing good defense and our bats finally woke up.”

UCHS (10-6) travels to Chapin tonight. Game time is 6:30. Chapin has two good pitchers and is ranked No. 7 in the state. If the Jackets win they’ll play Wednesday and if they lose they’ll play Saturday.

UCHS BASEBALL

COLUMBIA — AC Flora defeated Union County’s varsity baseball team 5-4 on Thursday in its first game of the 3A playoffs.

The Jackets led 4-2 going into the seventh inning.

Keiston Stevens took the loss, going 6 1/3 innings. Scott Maynor had a 2 RBI double to lead UCHS at the plate.

The Jackets (13-8) host Fairfield-Central at 7 tonight in an elimination game. If Union County wins it will play again on Monday.

WCS SOFTBALL

NINETY SIX — Whitmire’s varsity softball team fell, 5-3, to Ninety Six on Thursday in the first round of the Class A playoffs.

Kerry Jenkins took the loss. Nicole Morgan and Jenna Baker each went 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Wolverines gave up four runs in the fourth inning and couldn’t recover.

“Ninety Six is a good team, but I feel like we gave one away,” said coach Dan McGlohorn. “Now we are behind the 8-ball with one loss. We have nothing to lose.”

WCS (11-8) will play either Indian Land or Fox Creek on Saturday in an elimination game.