Five-run fourth inning helps advance Lady Rangers, 12-2
Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Unaka's #19 Sarah Elliot looks on to see if she's safe after attempting to steal third.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde #18 of Unaka fields a single hit to center field.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Lady Ranger, Kendal Bare, is safe at first after a hit.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Lady Ranger, Lilly Kiser, hits one deep into left field.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Unaka's pitcher winds up before throwing a strike.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Unaka's second baseman fields a ball before throwing a runner out at first.
Lady Ranger center fielder, #18, attempts to catch a line drive.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyder Unaka short stop, #2 Madison Pierce, is safe at second after a steal.
BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
KINGSPORT— Sullivan North played host to the District 1-A softball tournament on Monday night as the play-in games were finished and the bracket was complete.
The opening game featured the top-seeded Unaka Lady Rangers and the fifth-seeded Lady Bucs of University High. Despite a strong start from the Lady Bucs, Unaka was eventually able to get the upper hand in the game and win in five innings, 12-2.
Kailey Wilson got the starting nod on the mound for Unaka and things got off to a rough start for the Lady Ranger hurler.
After a leadoff single from Emily Morgan, back-to-back doubles from Avery Kibelbeck and Katy Stancil meant two runs for the Lady Bucs in the visitor’s half of the inning.
Wilson did rally, however, as she was able to retire the next three batters consecutively.
Kibelbeck started from the pitching circle for UH and she quickly got things going two up and two down.
Unaka would answer with back-to-back doubles from Erika Potter and Lilly Kiser and then a single from Kendall Bare would score two runs and the inning would end 2-2.
The top of the second would see Wilson face six batters but not allow any runs including a strikeout.
A Taylor Shanks triple kick-started the home half of the inning into right. She was knocked in by Tayla Potter who followed with a double down the left field line.
After a sacrifice bunt, a sacrifice fly from Madison Pierce scored Potter making the score 4-2 after two complete.
The third inning saw a true pitching duel as neither pitcher allowed a run leaving the score the same.
Wilson worked a three up and three down in the top of the fourth who pitched the complete game allowing only two runs.
The bottom of the frame brought the proverbial dagger for Unaka as the Lady Rangers slapped five more runs on the board.
Things got started with Tayla Potter hitting a single into center starting the ball rolling for Unaka. After Pierce was walked, Sadie Shoun hit a single into center scoring Potter.
Next, Erika Potter hit a hard ball to the shortstop but an error on the throw meant two more runs would score for the Lady Rangers.
An errant throw to third base would score another run making it 8-2 before another couple of hits put the final mark at 9-2 to end the inning.
A couple of errors from Unaka in the top of the fifth inning put a scare into the Lady Rangers but they were able to weather the storm and finish the inning without allowing a hit.
Unaka broke into the bottom of the fifth with a runner scoring on an infield hit from Pierce. She was then driven home by Shoun who singled into right.
The game concluded after an errant throw brought Shoun home making the score 12-2 and bringing the 10-run mercy rule into effect.
Unaka advanced in the winner’s bracket and faced North Greene on Wednesday evening.
