4A high school softball playoffs: Walk-off home run lifts Murray past Roy

MURRAY — Murray freshman Tanisha Anderson's solo walk-off home run broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday as the Spartans beat Roy. The final score of 3-2 was the only time Murray led the game and Anderson finished 2-for-4.

"She has got all the desire and heart in the world," Murray coach Lisa Parker said of Anderson after her first home run of the season.

Roy took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and doubled that margin with a run in the fifth. Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Roy catcher Shaylee Barfuss, whose one-out groundout brought Roy starting pitcher MaCauley Flint home.

Murray answered in the bottom half of the inning with a bases-loaded rally of their own. Spartan first baseman Lyndi Miller hit a two-RBI single into the infield and was called safe after Roy first baseman Alissa Willard was pulled off the bag on the throw-out attempt, tying the game.

Murray right hander Jackie Cooley picked up the win after giving up five hits and the two runs in seven complete-game innings. Cooley also struck out five Royals.

"(Cooley) did a great job and had some really big outs," Parker said.

Roy righty Flint allowed three runs on eight hits and matched Cooley's total of five strikeouts and was credited with the loss after Anderson's fateful swing.

"Both pitchers threw well," said Roy coach Travis Flint. "MaCauley made one mistake and the credit goes to (Anderson). She made her pay for it."

Anderson probably shouldn't have even had the chance to win the game. Two pitches before her big blow Anderson hit a high popup just foul of first base. Roy first baseman Willard was credited with an error on the play after botching the easy out.

Murray police were called after the game to talk to a Roy fan who allegedly threatened the game's umpire crew, but both coaches felt the game was called fairly.

"As a former player and a coach, all you can ask for is consistency," coach Flint said.

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