Unaka was unable to keep the postseason magic alive.
The Lady Rangers came up short in a 6-1 decision to Harriman in the Class A Sectional on Stoney Creek on Friday evening.
With the loss, Unaka’s season comes to a close with a 23-11 mark.
Base runners – much less runs – were hard to come by for both teams.
After Harriman got one on board in the top of the first, Lyndie Ramsey hit a single to right field and Sadie Shoun drew a walk to open the home side of the frame. Unaka was able to get runners on second and third but was unable to move one across the plate.
Unaka retired the Lady Blue Devils to open the second. Hailey Gilman got on base with a two-out single for the Lady Rangers, and Mattie Salyer drove the run across the plate to give Unaka a 1-0 lead after two complete.
Harriman, however, answered as Kendal Mason hit a double that plated a run to even things up at 1-1.
The Lady Blue Devils took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth off an Unaka error.
Defense for both teams came up big in the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, the Lady Rangers retired the side in order. Unaka saw Trinity Bowers hit a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth, and Alana Parsons was intentionally walked.
UHS, however, was unable to move the runners across the plate.
Harriman’s Addison Oliver hit a grand slam in the seventh to take control.
“We had runners on – especially in the first inning – and we had a chance to maybe knock it open right there,” Unaka Head Coach Kenneth Chambers said. “We just couldn’t get the hits when we needed the hits. Harriman got some good hits, and that happens. At this level, if you aren’t hitting the ball kind of consistently, it is hard to go on to the next level.”
Jill Faust, Ramsey, Bowers, Gilman, and Salyer each tallied a hit for Unaka in the game, while Bowers recorded five strikeouts in the pitching circle.
Mason allowed just one run on five hits with two strikeouts for Harriman.
“We have had a great year,” Chambers said. “I am super proud of our girls. They worked their butts off this year and it is an honor to coach them.”
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