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Smoky Mountain walks to record-setting softball win
Tara Green

Smoky Mountain second baseman Tara Green throws to first for an out in last week's 21-4 romp at Murphy. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips

 Smoky Mountain made the most of 18 walks issued by Murphy pitching to crush the Lady Bulldogs 21-4 last Thursday at Murphy.

The Lady Mustangs set a school fast pitch softball record for runs in a game although they had just nine hits. Four SM batters were hit by pitches in the game that was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule.

"I was proud of the way we came out and attacked after losing to them 12-1 the first time," Coach Melissa Hill said. "We were patient at the plate and took advantage when given opportunities."

Tara Green tripled with the bases loaded helping the Lady Mustangs take a 5-0 lead in the first. Kristen Wilson had an RBI single, and Tori Kelly walked with the bases loaded.

Two errors allowed the Lady Bulldogs to score two runs in the bottom of the first.

SM responded by scoring three times without a hit in the top of the second. Murphy picked up a run in the bottom of the frame for an 8-3 margin.

The Lady Mustangs broke the game open by scoring nine times in the third to take a 17-3 lead. The big hit was Jessica Henry's three-run double. Amber Stephens singled twice in the frame, and Shay Shular doubled.

Singles by Dorothy Keane and Shular helped SM score four runs in the top of the fourth. Murphy picked up the game's final run in the bottom of the inning.

Stephens was two of three, and Shular went two of four to pace the SM offense. Amanda Magruder and Katie Crisp were on base via hits, walks or hit batsmen on each of their plate appearances.

Stephens pitched the first four innings with Stasha Nicholson throwing a scoreless fifth.

Back to Sports: 05/03/01.