High school softball: Impressive performance by Spartans

The one run scored by the West High Panthers didn't give them much momentum, but it did serve to extend their Region 6 softball game against Murray by an inning on Tuesday afternoon.

It also seemed to anger the Spartans.

After allowing the Panthers to score on a throwing error to blow a shutout bid by freshman Taylor Gallegos, Murray's Jocelyn Clark and Lyndi Miller took out their frustrations by hitting back-to-back home runs to cap the Spartans' 12-1 win over West in five innings.

"I was ready," Clark said. "I knew I was going to hit it. I felt it. It was exciting."

When they play league games, the rest of the Spartans are just as confident as Clark was in her final at-bat. Murray's win on Tuesday was its 29th consecutive region victory and ran its impressive record in league play to 94-5 since 2001.

Bad news, Region 6 softball teams: The Spartans don't seem to be slowing up.

Although Murray has to replace a two-time state MVP, Brittany Parker, in the circle, along with other graduated stars, the Spartans appear poised to dominate another region season.

Murray had seven extra-base hits against West. Junior Mallory Hyland led the way, going 3-for-4 with a single, double, triple and two RBIs. Her two-run triple in the third inning broke the game open, giving the Spartans a 5-0 lead.

"She did a great job," said Murray coach Lisa Parker. "She's very versatile, too. She can put down the bunt, slap, hit for power, hit for base hits."

Clark also showed off her versatility. She's a shortstop, so home runs aren't a normal part of her repertoire. Her fifth-inning blast was her first of the year, and it also got her out of a slump.

"That was awesome," Parker said. "It was good to see her get a good piece of the ball right there."

Gallegos, Murray's new No. 1 pitcher, made her first start in a region game. She fared well, allowed just three hits. She said she realizes she has big shoes to fill in replacing Parker, who's currently throwing for the Utes.

"It was a little nerve-wracking, but not too bad," Gallegos said. "I've got a good defense behind me."

Gallegos also helped her own cause by hitting a triple. Monica Moffitt and Ciera Nordin each hit a double for the Spartans.

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