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CONTRIBUTED BY TAMMY TAYLOR

The Jr. Lady Rangers defeated the Jr. Lady Warriors in three innings of play at Unaka Elementary with a score of 18-2.

The Lady Rangers took the field first with Kimberly Proffitt taking the mound. Proffitt wasted no time hurling pitches straight down the pipe.

Burchett led off for the Lady Warriors but couldn’t get a good connection on the ball popping one high to the pitcher for the first out of the game. Holt would walk and advance two more bases on wild pitches but would be stranded on base with no runs scored for the Lady Warriors at the top of the first.

Bowers took the mound for the Jr. Warriors. Determined to keep the game even, Bowers struck out the first of the Jr Lady Rangers’ batters, Kimberly Proffitt, Katlyn Dugger, and Emma Dugger, keeping the game tied 0-0 at the end of the first.

The Lady Warriors would battle with Proffitt ending up with three batters getting a free pass to first base. Moore would score for the Lady Warriors by stealing home putting her team ahead of the Lady Rangers for the one and only time of the game.

Coach Megan Heaton met with her team on the sideline to get her team fired up, which would be the turning point of the game.

Mollie Buckles started the second inning dinging one to center field putting her on second. Emma Taylor kept the momentum going for her team, also busting a line drive to left, sending Buckles home to tie the game 1-1.

Taylor would continue to move around the infield on stolen bases putting herself in scoring position. McKenna Richardson would drop one between right and center sending Taylor home. The momentum continued for the Jr. Lady Rangers throughout the entire second inning.

Coach Brandon Mottern’s Warriors couldn’t match the intensity of the Jr. Lady Rangers in this game. Holt would be the only other Lady Warrior to score for her team, giving them two runs for the game.

The Jr. Lady Rangers Proffitt would strike out five batters and her teammates did the rest for the team.

Offensively, the ladies from Stoney Creek were unstoppable. Proffitt (4-5), Katlyn Dugger (3-4), Mollie Buckles (3-3; double and triple), Emma Taylor (3-3), McKenna Richardson (3-3), Amariana Harter (2-3; double), and Tiffany Shepherd (3-3) led the Jr. Lady Rangers.

Coach Megan Heaton stated, “Our girls are young but they are improving every day, and getting the hang of the fundamentals is a key to winning any game.

“We have concentrated on getting the bat on the ball and making key plays defensively. I’m pleased with our wins this week, but we’ve got to keep working.”