Union Academy wins 1A softball title, sweeps North Duplin

It was a clean sweep for Union Academy in the 1A softball state championships series.

After a convincing win in Game 1 on Friday night, Union Academy closed out the series with a 7-4 win over North Duplin in Game 2 on Saturday at NC State University.

North Duplin started the game with an advantage, taking a 3-2 lead that lasted through the bottom of the fifth inning. That's when Gracie Hollingsworth hit a two-run home run to push the Cardinals ahead 4-3.

Union Academy wasn't done in the inning either. A double from Gabriella Gama brought Riley Griffin across the plate and the Cardinals took a 5-3 lead.

North Duplin scored one run in the top of the sixth inning, but it wasn't enough to keep up.

Shelby Brooks scored a RBI on a triple in the sixth inning to push the Union Academy lead to 6-4, then Avery Chaney brought in another run to give the Cardinals a 7-4 advantage.

North Duplin wasn't able to come back in the seventh inning.

This marks the first softball state championship in school history for Union Academy.