Bulldogs 1-1 in pair of close games vs. Tigers
For the third Smoky Mountain Conference series in a row, the Murphy varsity baseball team has picked up at least one win in the series.
The Bulldogs faced off against the Rosman Tigers and fell in the first game, but won the second game.
Dogs fall 8-6
In the first game of the series, the Dogs hosted Rosman and fell 8-6 for only their second loss on home turf so far this season. The Dogs hosted Rosman on March 24 and fell in extra innings.
Rosman got on the board early with one run in the top of the first inning. The Tigers then extended their lead with two more runs in the top of the third.
The Dogs battled back with one run in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings to trail 3-2.
Rosman extended its lead with two runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Murphy then fought back and tied the game at five with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The game was still tied at five after the seventh inning and they headed to extra innings.
Rosman scored three runs in the top of the eighth to lead 8-5. Murphy only scored one run in the bottom of the eighth and Rosman won 8-6.
Colton Morgan led the Dogs with two runs scored. Aayden Williams and Michael Brown both had one stolen base each.
On the mound, Zack Hogsed, Konner Dockery and Peyton Bain pitched for the Dogs. Hogsed led the pitchers with 11 strikeouts.
Dogs win 16-13
The dogs hit the road Friday and earned the 16-13 victory.
Murphy got on the board first with two runs in the opening frame. Rosman then fought back and took the lead with five runs in the bottom of the second inning.
The Dogs then scored two runs in the top of the third inning, but still trailed 5-4.
Rosman extended its lead with a four-run fourth inning to take a 9-4 lead.
Murphy then cut into the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth. Rosman then added one run in the bottom of the fifth to lead 10-7.
Murphy then took the lead in the top of the sixth inning with five runs. Rosman scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth as the Tigers led 13-12.
The Dogs weren’t done fighting as they drove in four runs in the top of the seventh to take a 16-13 lead.
They then held Rosman scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to win the game 16-13.
Grayson Hall had a home run in the Dogs’ victory.
Hall scored three runs on four hits and had four RBI.
Williams led the team as he scored five runs in their win. He also had two stolen bases and Cameron Clem had one.
Dockery, Morgan and Hall combined on the mound for the victory. Morgan led the pitchers as he threw eight strikeouts.
Up next
The Dogs will return to the diamond at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, when they host Hayesville.
When they return from spring break, they will travel to Andrews to face the Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.