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CONTRIBUTED BY TAMMY TAYLOR

It was a beautiful day on Stoney Creek and a magnificent day for some softball as the Unaka Jr. Lady Rangers hosted University School for a spectacular doubleheader where Unaka took the win in both games.

In Game 1, Kimberly Proffitt took the mound for the Jr. Lady Rangers and wasted no time at all getting the momentum started for her team.

Although Proffitt walked the first batter, she quickly got down to business striking out the next two batters. The Lady Bucs’ Reece would advance bases on wild pitches and eventually would score one for the Jr. Lady Bucs.

The inning would close out with only that one run after a solid defensive play by Jr. Lady Ranger shortstop Emma Taylor throwing the final out at first.

Proffitt jump-started the Jr. Lady Rangers by collecting a walk to first base after battling with a full count. She would advance bases on wild pitches and receive the only run in the first inning for the maroon and white.

At the bottom of the first, it was a 1-1 game.

Jr. Lady Bucs, Amelia, hit a hardball down the field to shortstop to reach first base. Proffitt struggled from the rubber giving the Jr. Lady Bucs two straight walks and put them in scoring position.

Three of the Jr. Lady Bucs would reach home plate giving the Johnson City team a lead over the Creekers 4-1.

However, the Jr. Lady Rangers proved how hard they have been working over the last two weeks when they began the second inning dinging balls all over the field.

Emma Douglas reached first on a walk and would advance to second base on a perfect bunt from Proffitt. McKenna Richardson, Katlyn Dugger, and Mollie Buckles would all reach first base on singles.

Taylor would come to the plate with bases loaded and she would prove how hard work pays off by lining a hard hit to the fence sending her teammates home and her to third base.

The second inning proved to be the turning point of the game for the ladies from Stoney Creek. They collected six runs in the inning giving them their first lead of the game, 7-4.

Proffitt came out to prove that she was putting in the time on her days off to improve her pitching technique. She struck out the first two batters she faced in the third and allowed only one hit. The Jr. Lady Rangers held the Bucs scoreless.

Coach Heaton’s Jr. Lady Rangers held steadfast the remainder of the game finishing off Game 1 with a victory over the Jr. Lady Bucs 15-7.

Offensively, the Jr. Lady Rangers finished as follows: Proffitt 3-4, Richardson 3,4, Dugger 3-4, Buckles 3-4, including a double, Taylor 3-4, including a triple and collecting 5 RBI’s for the game, and Alexis Fuller collecting 2 RBI’s. Reece led the Jr. Lady Bucs going 2-3 for the game.

Proffitt finished from the mound with 11 strikeouts, 3 walks, and 2 earned hits.

The Jr. Lady Rangers came away with a second win over the Jr. Lady Bucs by a score of 11-5. Richardson took to the rubber for the second game and also had a stellar performance collecting 12 strikeouts, 7 walks, and 3 earned hits.

The big hitter for the Stoney Creek girls was Buckles who finished the game with a perfect 3 for 3, followed by Taylor, who again hit a triple to the fence.

Proffitt proved how quick she was, laying down bunts and reaching first base. She was 3 for 4 in the second game.

The Jr. Lady Bucs’ Caroline and Emma each went 2 for 3 for the Johnson City team.

Coach Heaton stated, “I am pleased with how well the girls played offensively and defensively. After our loss to Johnson County, we had some key skills that needed attention and that is what we have focused on over the last week.

“The girls have worked hard during practice and some of the players like Kimberly, Mollie, McKenna, and Emma have put in some extra time and it showed this evening. I’m proud of our young team and I cannot wait to face Johnson County again Thursday.”