MONROE, N.C. – A unique 1A vs. 4A matchup came down to the final pitch.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh and two strikes on Keilana Burgess, Providence fired a wild pitch that allowed Keira Farmer to score from third to secure a 5-4 walk-off win for Union Academy.

The game featured two teams who entered a combined 29-1. The Cardinals escaped with their unbeaten record still intact at 16-0.

Union Academy saw its first four hitters reach base in the bottom of the first. An Avery Wilson single and Paisley Boatright fielder’s choice gave the Cardinals an early 2-0 advantage.

Wilson’s base hit helped her own cause in the circle. She held the Panthers scoreless over the first three innings with eight strikeouts.

In the fourth, Providence finally broke through in a big way. Camryn O’Connor started the inning with a single and Casey Tomljanovic crushed a two-strike offering to dead center to tie the score at 2-2.

Ella Lamprey and Phoenix Scott fueled a two-out rally when they scored on Emerson McAllister’s single to grab a 4-2 lead.

It took Union Academy until the sixth to answer back. Burgess worked a lead-off walk and went first-to-third when Carlie Granger reached on a bunt and overthrow.

With two Cardinals in scoring position, Avery Chaney blasted a double to left field to tie the game at 4-4.

Providence appeared to have a response in the seventh, but after two reached with nobody out, Wilson buckled down and struck out the next three hitters to give her team a chance to walk things off.

Farmer started the bottom of the seventh with a single, moved to second on a Taylor Surratt walk, and advanced to third when Emelia Zeng robbed Boatright of a game-winning hit in right field.

That set the stage for the freshman Burgess, who watched a ball in the dirt scoot past the catcher, allowing Farmer to race home for the win.

Wilson’s 16-strikeout performance was a season-high, and the second most in her career (17 vs. Anson in 2024). Providence freshman pitcher Sophie Strugar allowed only four hits and finished with five strikeouts.

The Panthers are now 14-2 overall and have surpassed their win total of 13 from a year ago. Phoenix Scott, who is one of six freshmen or sophomores to start for Providence, went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored.

Union Academy keeps on rolling at 16-0. Despite the one-run victory, the Cardinals are outscoring opponents 194-28 this season. Wednesday’s win was their second against a 4A opponent in the past week.

Providence turns around on Thursday to face Marvin Ridge while Union Academy travels to Albemarle for a conference game on Friday.