By MONTE DUTTON

UNION – It was hard for Clinton to defeat Union County three times.

Obviously. That’s what “they say.” “They” were right.

The Red Devils, who won the Region 4-3A baseball championship at the Yellow Jackets’ expense, opened the Upstate championship bracket with a 7-6 victory that was as tense as a time bomb on Thursday night at Timken Sports Complex.

Let’s just say that two runs in the top of the seventh provided a false sense of security.

Justin Copeland nailed down a save at last by striking out Nick Queen on a 2-2 count and the tying run on third base. Copeland, who spent 6-2/3 innings patrolling left field and going 3-4 at the plate with a double, should have faced one batter instead of two.

Union center fielder M.J. Porter lofted what should have been a routine, game-ending fly ball to right field that Brett Young drifted under. Center fielder Wilson Wages called him off. The ball landed in Wages’ glove … and popped out. Cade Coker and Peyton Cannon scored. B.J. Jeter wound up at third.

Faces turned as red as the Clinton jerseys because fans were holding their breaths. The game-ending strikeout allowed them to regain them and finally return to Clinton via Barrel Stave Road having staved off a rally and won the most nerve-wracking of 14 victories in a row.

Clinton (22-3) had won the previous 13 in the streak by outscoring the opposition by a combined tally of 139-31. The Red Devils had previously defeated Union County (19-7) by scores of 5-2 and 6-1. A 7-6 playoff opener over Wren saw Clinton come from six runs behind.

“We found a way and we’re very happy for that,” Clinton head coach Sean McCarthy said. “We’re going to give God thanks for that. Our guys had a struggle tonight in their focus. We could’ve done a better job coming out of the box. We weren’t as good as we normally are in the field. We have a chip on our shoulders, and we play with it, and they get that from their coach. We’re happy to advance to play on Saturday at home.”

Clinton faces Seneca, a 3-1 winner over Belton-Honea Path, on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Yellow Jackets and Bears face an elimination game.

Three shared mound duties for the Red Devils. Wil Stewart pitched the first 3-1/3 innings, winning pitcher Caleb Taylor took the next 3-1/3 – 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 earned, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts – and Copeland nailed it down.

Tanner Hardin took the loss, allowing seven runs (5 earned) in 6-1/3. Mason Small got the final two outs. Hardin and Jeter each had a pair of singles for the Yellow Jackets.

Union led only after an inning, scoring twice after Clinton scored once.

The Red Devils opened the second with a Luke Young walk and singles by Brett and Bryce Young. Pinch runner Josh May scored when Zane McLendon reached on an error by Union shortstop Bryant Whitlock. The Clinton shortstop, Zach Fortman, laid down a bunt single that scored Brett Young. With one out, Stewart squeezed in McLendon, and Clinton led, 5-2. Union got one back in the bottom half and added another in the sixth on Hardin’s single to center.

A Union error allowed Tanner Kyko to score in the seventh and Copeland added another run on a balk by Small.

Each team committed two errors. Clinton outhit Union, 9-8. The Yellow Jackets stole six bases. Each team left the bases loaded.

Clinton survived to win another night. Union County’s win streak ended at four, with losses to the Red Devils at both ends.