Benton, Tenn. – Paisley Johnson went the distance as the Lady Bulldogs’ softball team defeated Polk County 9-2 on March 19.
Johnson went the full seven innings on the mound, giving up two runs on five hits, struck out nine and walked two. Johnson helped herself out at the plate, as she went three for five with two RBI for the “Diamond Last Dogs.”
The Lady Bulldogs’ bats came to life in the game. Murphy had a team total batting average of .571 in the game. In fact, all of the Murphy batters were at a .500 or better batting average for the game.
Murphy (3-1) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first innings of the game and never trailed. Johnson held the Wildcats scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. Murphy added four more runs in the top of the fourth to take a 5-0 lead.
Polk County (9-2) got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Murphy
would add four more runs in the sixth inning, and Polk followed that up with one more run in the bottom of the sixth to net the final score.
Calista Rumfelt led Murphy batters, as she went 2-2 at the plate with two hits and an RBI. Aiden Smith was 2-3 with two hits. Gracie Thrasher went 2-4 at the plate with two hits that came at opportune times, and she delivered as she had four RBI for the Lady Dogs.
The Lady Bulldogs’ fielding was almost perfect, as they committed only one error.
On Thursday, Murphy will head to Andrews to take on county rivals. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.
Murphy goes into the game with a 3-1 overall record and a 2-0 Smoky Mountain Conference record and share the lead with Robbinsville and Hiwassee Dam. Those are the only teams with an undefeated record in the conference.