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While her Grizzlies are prepping for another 5A state softball tournament run, Copper Hills coach Jentry Johnson said getting wins — up to this point of the season — has taken second priority to team improvement.

Johnson and the Grizz got both Friday.

Copper Hills roughed up visiting Murray, 16-1, on Friday in a game that was ended in the bottom of the third. That's when a double from Emily Lyman plated a pair of runs and enforced the 15-run mercy rule.

"We've got a real talented team that's senior-heavy. We've had major ups and major downs," said Johnson, whose team moved its record to 8-7 overall with the nonregion win. "But what I've liked is the last couple of weeks where we've really been finding our groove and being more consistent.

"I don't really care about our win-and-loss record," she added. "All I really care about is, 'Are the girls getting better every day?' "

The Grizzlies' season has included wins over 5A squads such as Bingham, Taylorsville and West. On the flip side, Class 3A powers Stansbury, Bear River and Grantsville have handed Copper Hills losses.

Although the team ended up three steps short of competing for the 5A crown in last year's state tournament, the memories of the 2013 state-championship season isn't far from the memories of the Grizzlies veterans.

"We took second three years ago and took first two years ago," Johnson said. "We had a solid team last year, but we just fell short in a few areas. This year, our goal is to definitely get back to that game."

After giving up a single run in the top of the first, Copper Hills rebounded with a six-run bottom of the frame — marked by a three-run triple by Jaici Bishop to deep center.

In the second inning, Kylie Jones pounded a two-run homer to left as part of a four-run rally.

The third inning, before Lyman's game-ending double, included Ashlee Anderson's three-run shot to left.

Murray (11-3) had scored 10 runs or more in its past seven games, but the Spartans' bats had limited opportunities, thanks to the quick blowout. Jones, the Copper Hills pitcher, allowed only one Murray hit in her three innings of work.

Naturally, Spartans coach Lisa Parker was hoping for more from her team in its break from Region 7 play.

"That was not a good showing whatsoever — and the girls just heard about that," said Parker after the loss. "We didn't show up today. This was a major hiccup, and I hope that that's all it was."

Murray is 5-0 in region, but hasn't played Timpanogos or Corner Canyon yet.

Those teams, likely the other top challengers for region honors, loom for the Spartans next week. —

Copper hills 16, Murray 1

R The game ends in the third after a 15-run gap triggers the mercy rule.

• Kylie Jones homers in the second for the Grizzlies, and teammate Ashlee Anderson whacks a ball over the left-field fence in the third.

• A two-run double from Copper Hills' Emily Lyman caps a six-run rally in the third to end the contest.