Murphy’s varsity softball squad had a three-game week, picking up two important wins.
The Lady Bulldogs started the week with a loss to Polk County, Tenn., then they swept Smoky Mountain Conference opponents Hayesville to get back in the win column.
With the sweep, the Lady Dogs head to spring break on a six-game conference win streak.
Dogs fall 1-0
The Lady Bulldogs started the week by hosting Polk County, Tenn., on March 30. The Lady Dogs fell 1-0 in the close game.
The game opened with two scoreless innings, then Polk County broke through for the first and only run of the game.
They went on to battle for the final four innings and Polk County held onto the lead to win 1-0.
The Dogs had five hits in the game, with Paisley Johnson, Grace Ledford, Emma Laney, Piper Dalton and Gracie Palmer getting a hit. Laney’s hit was a double for their only extra base hit.
Johnson threw a 90-pitch complete game, giving up one run on five hits. She also struck out 11 batters in the loss.
Dogs win 18-0
The Dogs were on the road for the first game of the series against Hayesville, where they took the first game 18-0 in three innings on March 31.
The Lady Dogs blew the game wide open in the first inning as they drove in eight runs. They added one more in the top of the second to lead 9-0.
They extended their lead in the top of the third inning as they drove in nine runs to lead 18-0.
After holding Hayesville scoreless in the bottom of the third, the Lady Dogs got the 18-0 win.
Laney and Palmer led the Dogs as they scored three runs each. Dalton scored two runs, with one coming on a home run.
Hensley, Gracie Thrasher, and Aaliyah Grant also scored two runs each.
Johnson threw a 31-pitch no hitter against Hayesville. In the three inning performance, she struck out four batters.
Dogs win at home
The Dogs were back on the diamond at home on April 1, where they earned their sixth straight SMC win.
They defeated Hayesville 10-0 to sweep the Yellow Jackets.
The Dogs scored 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth to win the game 10-0.
With the win, they improve to 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the SMC. They sit in third in the SMC at press time.
Up next
When they return from spring break, they will host Franklin at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
They will then play a two-game series against Andrews on Tuesday and Friday, April 17. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.