In a win-or-go-home contest, Cloudland wasn’t going to be denied.
The Lady ‘Landers outlasted Unaka for an 8-3 victory over Unaka in the final elimination game of the District 1-A tournament on Stoney Creek. With the win, Cloudland advanced to the Championship game, while the Lady Rangers saw their season come to a close.
The Lady ‘Landers also secured a spot in the Region 1-A tournament.
Cloudland struck early.
Saharra McKinney opened the bottom of the first with a double, while Savannah McCoury reached on an error. Eowyn McCoury put the ball in play to plate McKinney, while Ryan Turbyfill knocked the ball in play to score S. McCoury and E. McCoury. CHS took a 4-0 lead when Peyton Preswood pushed Turbyfill across with a fielder’s choice.
Unaka looked to answer as Mattie Salyer and Alisha Harrell drew walks to open the second, but UHS was unable to plate the runs.
The Lady Rangers got a run on the board in the third as Mollie Buckles pushed Taylor Grindstaff across home plate.
Neither team was able to get back on the board until the fifth when Haley Taylor scored on a Buckles single.
Cloudland, however, added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Jayla Harper and Preswood scored off an Eowyn McCoury single, and McCoury crossed the plate after Ryan Turbyfill put the ball in play. That gave CHS an 8-0 lead going to the seventh.
The Lady Rangers didn’t go quietly.
Taylor drew a walk and she worked her way to second base before scoring off a Buckles hit. The Lady Rangers continued to battle but were unable to extend the inning.
Ryan Turbyfill and E. McCoury had two RBI apiece. Preswood and S. McCoury had an RBI each.
Cloudland had seven batters record a hit.
Buckles went 3-for-4 with three RBI, while T. Grindstaff and Taylor each added a hit.
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