Local softball roundup: North Murray tops Murray County on walk-off home run in extra innings

Published 10:56 pm Wednesday, September 12, 2018

It had been a long time since North Murray High School softball coach Steve Granger had seen a walk-off home run.

Well, that was before Wednesday night.

Kaylee Higgins sent a two-run homer flying down the left-field line as the Lady Mountaineers (11-8, 6-7 in Region 6-3A) topped Murray County (3-15, 1-12) in eight innings, 4-2, on the road.

“I didn’t know if it was fair, but I knew it had a chance,” Granger said. “I was just thinking, ‘Get out of here!'”

After the ball circled around the foul pole, North Murray’s fans exploded, Granger said.

“Our side was definitely excited,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one like that. It is definitely the kind of game you like to win.”

North Murray was leading 2-0 until Murray County tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Allison Weaver knocked in Maddie Jenkins, and Natalie O’Neal batted in Weaver for the tying run with two outs.

“My girls fought till the end,” Murray County coach Eric Weaver said. “We rallied and tied it in the bottom of the sixth but it just wasn’t enough. You have to give that girl credit on her home run. She hit it hard when it counted.”

O’Neal took the loss for the Lady Indians, pitching all eight innings and recording two strikeouts with no walks. The freshman also led the offense, batting 3-for-4.

“That’s a lot for a freshman,” Weaver said. “It’s disappointing because we are getting better. We just have a bunch of underclassmen that are having to step up.”

Jenkins, Brooklyn Gonzales, Rileigh Morgan and Attie Ridley all ended up 2-for-4 for Murray County.

Eight innings is also a lot for a junior, Granger said, as Talli Burgess earned the win for North Murray. She ended with 13 strikeouts and just one walk.

“There’s not many kids out there that can pitch a complete game,” Granger said. “She had herself in trouble a couple times, but we wanted her to work through it. We are trying to build up her stamina for the region tournament and we are using this week as a test.”

Samantha Black, Jodi Evans and Savannah Smith all had two hits for North Murray.

“It was a great game,” Granger said. “There’s no doubt it’s a rivalry. It doesn’t matter who’s having a good year. We are always going to get their best.”

Murray County hosts Sonoraville today at 5:30 p.m. North Murray hosts Ringgold today at 5:30 p.m.

Adairsville 5, Coahulla Creek 4

Coahulla Creek dropped a tough Region 6-3A match to Adairsville at home Wednesday night, 5-4.

Lady Colts coach Josh Swiney said his players just couldn’t put it together.

“We know this is a tough region we play in, and anyone can win on any given night,” he said. “We just left too many on base. We didn’t get the big hit when we needed it.”

Coahulla Creek (15-5, 10-4) left seven runners on base while outhitting Adairsville 9-6.

Sophia Voyles led the offense, going 2-for-2 with one RBI. Peyton Warnix also had a pair of hits, ending 2-for-4.

Voyles took the loss for Coahulla Creek, pitching the last four innings and recording seven strikeouts.

The Lady Colts play again on Monday at 5:30 p.m. when they travel to Calhoun.