Just like that, another softball season has come and gone. It wasn’t a short season as two Carter County teams made deep postseason runs. The Unaka Lady Rangers made a second-straight trip to the TSSAA Spring Championship in Murfreesboro. The girls from Stoney Creek recorded a state tournament win over Gibson County, 3-0, while finishing the season with a 29-14 mark and the district and region titles.
The Lady Cyclones, after winning the District 1-AA title, would make a trip to Gibbs for a state sectional. The Lady Cyclones wouldn’t be able to top Gibbs for a trip to the ‘Boro. The Lady Cyclones, however, did record a program first as they stormed through the Three Rivers Conference for a perfect regular-season mark.
With so many talented players in Carter County, it is always hard to make the selections. Below are this season’s Stars of Diamonds.
Most Valuable Player: Lauren Brickey
Elizabethton’s Lauren Brickey captured this season’s MVP spot for her overall contributions to the Lady Cyclones. Brickey’s 2018 performance included an 18-4 record as a pitcher while maintaining a .444 batting average at the plate. Brickey finished the year with ten home runs and 50 RBIs. The senior Lady Cyclone was selected as the Three Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Year, while also being a recipient of  EHS’s Charles Robinson Award. Brickey will continue her softball career at Walter’s State Community College.
Batter of the Year: Maci West
This year’s Three Rivers Conference MVP, West was always a threat when she stepped up the plate. The senior slugger recorded a .508 batting average while hitting nine home runs. West played a big part in the Lady Cyclones perfect regular season in the TRC, a school first, as she recorded 47 RBIs.
Pitcher of the Year: Corie Schuettler
Employing a mean rise ball, Unaka’s Corie Schuettler was many batters’ worst nightmare. Schuettler pitched her way to both the District 1-A tournament and season MVP honor while recording more than 293 wins with one of those wins coming during the TSSAA Class A State Softball Tournament this past week as Unaka topped Gibson County, 3-0. With a wide arrange of pitches thrown at a fast pace, Schuettler collected more than 30 strikeouts this past season. The Lady Ranger will be playing at Walter’s State Community College next season.
Fielder of the Year: Madison Pierce
Full of heart and speed, this year’s Fielder of the Year, Unaka third baseman Madison Pierce, played an integral part of the Lady Rangers infield. In the postseason, Pierce would use her quickness and consistency to help the Lady Rangers on their journey to the state tournament.

Coach of the Year: Kenneth Chambers

Diamond Dandies
Elizabethton
Macie Herrmann, Haley Fair, Kellie Cunningham, Kaylen Shell
Unaka
Katlyn Weaver, Sarah Tipton, Erika Potter, Sydney Markland
Happy Valley
Abby Holt, Kaitlyn Roberts, Olivia Absher
Cloudland
Kenzie Birchfield, Rein Strickland, Krisi Bare
Hampton
Mattie Neuman, Kayla Breland