Union’s Lady Spartans opened their softball season with a scorching 17-2 victory over Clinton High School Friday night.

The 1A Sampson County team faced off with non-conference opponent Clinton, and the bats were hot for the visitors from Union, who had the hot bats from the beginning.

“They played a good game,” Spartan coach Doug Burley said Monday. “I was pleased with the way we started off the season. We have some things to work on, but it was a good way to open.”

Union took control from the start, striking early and often, racking up 7 runs in the first inning.

Neither team scored in the second, but Union powered up again in the third, bringing in 6 more runs.

Clinton’s Lady Horses got on the board in that inning as well, scoring their only 2 runs.

Union added the exclamation point in the fifth and final inning, adding 4 more runs.

Megan Smith was on the mound for Clinton all five innings, allowing only 1 hit and tossing 12 strikeouts.

Leading hitters for Union were Claire Riley, 1-4 with 2 runs; Michala Robinson, 1-5; Janalee Strickland, 3 runs; Smith, 1-4 with a triple, 3 runs and 1 RBI; Brianna Allen, 2-4 with a double, 3 runs and 2 RBIs; Lauren Preddy, 2-3, 3 runs, 2 doubles and 4 RBIs; Taylor Malpass, 1 run; Carley Jones, 2-3 with 2 runs, a double and 3 RBIs; Olivia Burley, 1 RBI; and Andrea Gonzales, 1-2 with 1 RBI.

Union is now 1-0 and faces East Bladen at 6 p.m. Wednesday night at home in yet another non-conference game.