Unaka takes care of North Greene while Cloudland eliminates Hampton
Published 2:50 pm Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters Unaka's Kendall Bare takes a cut on a pitch from North Greene.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters A North Greene baserunner is picked off third base after straying too far from the bag.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters Hampton's right fielder has the ball pop out of her glove but an alert center fielder makes the catch backing her up.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters Hampton's third baseman awaits the throw from the outfield as a Cloudland base runner slides toward the bag.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters Cloudland catcher Taylor Hicks tags out a Hampton runner attempting to score.
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Junior Trinity Bowers look like Nolan Ryan on the mound Tuesday night
allowing only two hits and walking no one to lead the Unaka Rangers in
the biggest win of the year and secure a regional tournament berth.
Bower’s only two hits came in the second inning and were the Huskies
only run scored as she faced 16 batters in the final five innings only allowing
one runner on base.
Bowers faced pressure moments throughout the game, but the pressure
never got to Bowers. Catcher Kendall Bare kept the Huskie runners in check
and if they got too far off base, she threw them out including a big put-out
throw to third base, keeping a Huskie from scoring.
Alana Parson proved she should make all-state with her diving stops at
short-stop and accurate throws to first from her knees.
In the fourth inning trailing by one, Lyndie Ramsey doubled, Sadie
Shoun singled and then stole second, when Bowers stepped to the plate
looking like the Yankees Babe Ruth.
With two strikes she calmly sent a fastball back up the middle for two RBIs
that would prove to be the game-winning runs.
In the seventh, North Greene catcher Anna Weens hit a hard shot to third that
was overthrown allowing Weens to take second.
She was bunted to third on a sacrifice by Riley Blevins. Bowers then struck out
Randolph and Jones grounded out to second to end the game.
“It was a great game,” said Coach Kenneth Chambers. “We made some errors
early but bounced back and made up for it. They have an outstanding pitcher
and kept us at bay. Both teams played well and we were lucky to come away
with the win.”
Sadie Shoun led the Rangers in hitting going 1-for-2. Weens and Jones were the
only two Huskies to get a hit.
Cloudland….12
Hampton…… 2
Cloudland advanced to the loser’s bracket final as Hampton’s season came to
an end.
What great defensive plays both teams played on this night in a game where
someone had to be eliminated.
Several players from both teams made great catches and ended innings that
would have seen the other team score.
Ryan Turbyfill led the Landers going 2-for-3 as did Caroline Shell who scored
three runs from the number nine batting position.
After getting three outs on seven pitches, Karah Fields open the inning with a
triple for Cloudland and would put the Lady ‘Landers on the scoreboard.
Hampton would have a much better second inning taking the lead with a Abbi
Lunsford singled, Rachel Fair walked and both girls would score.
Hampton would lead 2-1 after two innings.
The ‘Landers would regain the lead in the third, Caroline Shell singled, Fields walked,
and both would score for the 3-2 ‘Lander lead.
Cloudland would add four in the fourth, two in the fifth, and three in the sixth for the
12-2 win.
Fields scored four times and Shell three for the win. Cloudland left 11 runners on base.
“We hit the ball well,” said Cloudland head coach Matt Birchfield. “I thought Carolina
Shell played a great game, laid down a good bunt, and scored some runs in the nine
spot. We hit the ball well tonight.”
