East Union was one pitch away from winning its Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV softball playoff opener with visiting Yuba City on Wednesday, but that proved to be a pitch too far.

With the Honkers’ Taylorlyn Anderson on second with two outs, Chloe Gonzales launched a full-count pitch over the left-field fence to tie the game.

Following the second error of the frame, No. 9 Yuba City scored again and held on for a 4-3 win over the eighth-seeded Lancers at Northgate Softball Complex.

“We were a pitch away,” East Union coach David Garza said. “It hurts, especially for Lily (Pickering) being a senior and pretty much carrying us on her back.

“We learned something from this as a team, and we will be better next year.”

Pickering (2 for 3, three RBI) accounted for all three runs for the Lancers (14-13). She belted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to plate Savanna Lopez (two runs) that put East Union ahead 2-1, and she made it 3-1 in the sixth on a double that scored Lopez.

Pickering did well in the circle, allowing seven hits, striking out seven, walking three and she was tagged for two earned runs.

Anderson (2 for 4, two runs) reached on an error on in the first inning and came around to score the game’s first run. Gonzales went 2 for 3 with that two-run home run and with teammates Danika Alvarez (RBI) and Stella Gonzales each going 2 for 4.

“I’m glad we came out on top,” Honkers coach Patty Gates said. “We had some clutch plays like in the sixth inning with two outs and two strikes and then got after it.

“It’s about grit and not quit, always the next pitch. We keep moving forward.”

Yuba City continues the playoffs Friday in Woodland against top-seeded Pioneer.