The Murray Spartans will head out on the road to square off against the Tooele Buffaloes at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Murray has given up an average of 9.3 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Murray is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Hillcrest just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Monday. They lost 14-3 to the Huskies. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest loss the Spartans have suffered since April 8, 2024.
Murray saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Zaylee Winterhalder, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Lyndee Marshall was another, going 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Tooele). Everything went their way against Cottonwood on Wednesday as they made off with a 21-0 victory. With that win, the Buffaloes brought their scoring average up to 6.1 runs per game.
Jaelyn Woods looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk any time she's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Dakota-Sky Gallaher and Hunter Culley did most of the damage at the plate: Gallaher went 3-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and one double, while Culley got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run and three RBI. Kaedence Sheffield also deserves some recognition as she scored her first runs of the season.
Tooele kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 4.8 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matchups they've averaged 10.
Tooele's record is now 7-11. As for Murray, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-6.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Murray has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .549. However, it's not like Tooele struggles in that department as they've averaged .454. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Murray couldn't quite get it done against Tooele in their previous matchup back in March as they fell 16-11. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
