Running into a buzz saw…Lady Rangers fall as Summertown’s Campbell fires no-hitter in 13-0 shutout
Published 8:19 am Thursday, May 23, 2019
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Pitcher Sadie Shoun of Unaka hauls in a pop fly as catcher Kendall Bare and third baseman Erika Potter are around the pop up just in case they are needed.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Lady Ranger pitcher Sadie Shoun steps toward the plate as she prepares to fire a pitch.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Unaka first baseman Taylor Shanks is down and ready as a Lady Eagle stands ready to take off toward second base.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Noelle Collins retires a Summertown batter after gloving a fly ball.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Lady Rangers shortstop Madison Pierce applies a tag on a Lady Eagle attempting to steal second base. The runner was called safe in a bang-bang play.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Unaka Lady Rangers huddle up before the start of their game against Summertown.
MURFREESBORO— Going into the first game of the 2019 TSSAA Spring Fling Class A softball championships, the Unaka Lady Rangers knew it was going to take a big effort to take down the defending state champion Summertown Eagles in the tournaments opening game for both teams.
Unfortunately, the Lady Rangers ran into a powerhouse in pitcher Kaley Campbell who was blowing pitches past Unaka batters faster than an EF-3 tornado in a complete game, five-inning victory for Summertown by a 13-0 score.
While the Eagles bats were getting it done offensively, Campbell was superb on the mound as she sat down 12 Lady Rangers on strikeouts and only allowed one base runner on a walk.
It wasn’t that Unaka wasn’t taking good cuts on the pitches offered to them, it was just that Campbell was overpowering throwing at least 98 percent of her pitches as fastballs that couldn’t be timed out.
The Lady Rangers were even having trouble trying to play small ball failing in several bunt attempts trying to break Campbell’s advantage.
While Unaka was struggling at the plate, the Eagles took advantage of 12 base hits in the contest led by Hailey Jones and Caitlyn Gallaher who collected three hits apiece to show the way to the win.
Gallaher just missed the cycle slapping a double, triple, and a home run that Unaka centerfielder Alana Parsons made a valiant attempt on as she flipped over the fence trying to make the catch.
Jenna Brazier and Elizabeth Woods also had a solid day with two hits each.
Sadie Shoun was saddled with the loss going three innings allowing seven runs on seven hits. Kailey Wilson came on to finish off the game giving up six runs on five hits.
Unaka will square off in loser bracket play at 10 am CST (11 am EST) Wednesday against Gibson County, a 7-6 loser to Sale Creek on a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning played just before the Unaka game.
If the Lady Rangers stay alive with a win against Gibson County, they will play again at 10 am CST (11 am EST) on Thursday morning as loser bracket play continues.
