ROAN MOUNTAIN— With a cold, blustery wind howling so bad that even Jack Frost would need a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate to enjoy the game, the Unaka Lady Rangers were hotter than a stove pipe.

Riding a 19-hit explosion, Unaka never gave the home standing Cloudland Lady Highlanders much of a chance in taking a 20-0, five-inning contest for a much-needed Watauga Valley Conference win.

“It was an all-around good game as everybody hit the ball really well,” said Unaka head coach Kenneth Chambers. “We’ve been doing a lot better. I think that the Eastman tournament really helped us on the hitting part.

“We have some hard conference games coming up next week, so it’s time we start playing like we are capable of playing,” Chambers continued. “We have a great conference so you have to come ready to play every night.”

Unaka (2-2, 8-10) jumped out of the gate quickly in the top of the first scoring four runs in the opening frame.

Doubles from Madison Pierce and Erika Potter along with a singles from Savannah Tipton and Taylor Shanks set the tone early for Chambers’ team.

The Lady Highlanders (1-2, 1-6) never could get on track as Unaka’s pitching and defense was able to stymie any offense that Cloudland attempted to muster.

Meanwhile, the Lady Rangers were chugging along scoring two in the third, five in the fourth, and a big nine-run outburst in the top of the fifth to collect the win.

Savannah Tipton was one hot Lady Ranger on the day at the plate batting 5-for-5 with four singles and a double and scoring three runs.

Katlyn Weaver was also very productive going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and a two-run single while also working a base on balls.

Shanks, Sarah Tipton, Potter, Haley Fair, and Pierce had a multi-hit game with two hits apiece for the Lady Rangers.

While the bats were sizzling, Corie Schuettler was working magic from the circle issuing three hits and recording eight strikeouts. Schuettler had no walks for the contest.

Cloudland was paced by a double from right fielder Megan Markland and singles from Jennifer Gibbs and Mattea Jennings to account for the Lady ‘Landers three hits.

——–

Unaka………….402 59 – 20   19

Cloudland….…..000 00 –  0     3

Corie Schuettler and Madison Pierce. Shian Strickland and Josie Carnett.

WP: Corie Schuettler. LP: Shian Strickland. HR: Katlyn Weaver (Unaka).