It was a special day in Stoney Creek.

The Lady Rangers celebrated their seniors with a conference victory over the Sullivan North Lady Raiders, 12-2.

Unaka posted seven runs over the second, third, and fourth innings before throwing up five runs in the bottom of the sixth.

For the Lady Rangers, Unaka’s Erika Potter finished the game with four hits, while senior Sydney Markland had three hits that included a double. Unaka’s Tayla Potter closed out the game with two hits which were a triple and double. Lady Ranger Katlyn Weaver also finished the night with two hits.

In the circle, Unaka’s Corie Schuettler tossed six innings as she struck out 11 batters. Schuettler would finish with three hits against her.

After Tuesday’s win, each of the five Lady Ranger seniors was recognized, and Unaka head coach Kenneth Chambers said that each of the girls has played a major role on the team. This year’s senior class includes Corie Schuettler, Madison Ensor, Sydney Markland, Katlyn Weaver, and Sarah Tipton.

“They have all played four years,” said Chambers. “They are all vital parts of our team. They are leaders on our team. Everybody does a great job at each position, and they will all be greatly missed next season.”

The Lady Rangers, which have finished the regular season undefeated in the Watauga Valley Conference, will head now head into the District 1-A tournament this weekend. And Chambers said it is always important to not get comfortable in the postseason.

“Cloudland and North Greene are two very good teams,” said Chambers. “UH has a great player that has signed at ETSU. On any given night, if you don’t come to play, you can lose at any time. But I think, we will have to come to play here on out. If you don’t, anybody can win.”

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After Tuesday’s game, each of the Lady Ranger seniors was asked what it meant to be a part of the Unaka softball program for the past four years.

Corie Schuettler

“It means so much to me,” said Schuettler. “I have grown up here and since I was little I wanted to do what I am doing right now. I wanted to bring the program back to where it should be and this group of seniors has done that. We have been through the hard times but we have got through it. We have played together since we were little. I am really proud of us. And we are not done yet.”

Katlyn Weaver

“It means a lot to us,” said Weaver. “We are just one big family. We have grown up together. It means a lot, and I hope we get to go back to  state because it would be another great experience to have with this family.”

Madison Ensor

“I feel like we have become one big family,” said Ensor. “We can depend on each other throughout our whole lives. You are never going to find friends like them because we have grown up together. That is something that sets us apart from other teams.”

Sarah Tipton

“It has meant working together and accomplishing things together,” said Tipton. “I have played with them since I was little so it means a lot.”

Sydney Markland

“I just think we have all become a family just playing together since we were little,” said Markland. “It all just comes together, and we leave everything we can on the field. It’s just amazing what we have become. From five- to six-year-olds to what we are now.”

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