Playing for the first time in five days, the Lady Rangers didn’t miss a beat Monday.

Behind 12 hits and the pitching of Unaka senior Corie Schuettler, the Lady Rangers defeated University High, 6-1, during the District 1-A softball tournament in Stoney Creek.

“It is a big win for us,” said Unaka head coach Kenneth Chambers. “All four teams are pretty good teams, and you want to go out and get a win to start things off.

“I though Corie (Schuettler) did a good job pitching,” added Chambers. “We were up and down hitting, but we were able to piece up enough runs to get a good lead on them.”

The Lady Ranger got the ball rolling in the first inning as they posted two runs. Unaka’s Sarah Tipton, who reached on a single, found home plate on an RBI triple from teammate Katlyn Weaver. Weaver didn’t have to stay on base long as Unaka’s Erika Potter hit a ground single to net Weaver.

Unaka kept the Lady Buccaneers off the scoreboard in the first and second innings before snatching a run in the bottom of the second frame to take a 3-0 lead. Unaka’s Tayla Potter smacked a double before being scooted over to third on a sacrifice bunt from teammate Savannah Tipton. Potter finally made her way to the house on a groundout by Unaka’s Madison Pierce.

The third inning saw Unaka score two more runs as both Lady Rangers Madison Ensor and Lilly Kiser crossed home plate. Tayla Potter had an RBI single in the inning to help the Lady Rangers take a 5-0 lead.

After giving up a run in the top of the fifth, Unaka scored one last time in the bottom of the frame as Savannah Tipton hit a single to score courtesy runner Sarah Elliot.

In the circle, Schuettler struck out nine Lady Bucs against no walks as she worked a complete game. The senior slinger would only have two hits and one run against.

Erika Potter and Tayla Potter both had three hits apiece while teammates Sarah Tipton and Madison Ensor had two hits each.

The Lady Rangers will take on North Greene in the winners’ bracket Tuesday.

For results from the game, visit us online at www.elizabethton.com or pick up Thursday’s Elizabethton Star.