In the first in-county matchup of the 2026 varsity baseball season, Murphy took on Hiwassee Dam on the diamond.
The Bulldogs took both games to earn the sweep as they faced their in-county rivals. Murphy combined for 26 runs across the two games, while the Eagles scored six runs.
Dogs win 13-5
The first in-county baseball game of the 2026 season took place at Hiwassee Dam as they hosted Murphy on March 18. The Bulldogs got a 13-5 win after a big fifth inning.
The game started with a scoreless first inning, the Dogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Murphy extended its lead to 5-0 in the top of the third inning, before the Eagles responded with three runs to make it 5-3.
Hiwassee Dam then tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs then responded with a seven-run top of the fifth inning to take a big 12-5 lead. They added one more run in the top of the sixth and held the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Konner Dockery led the Dogs with three runs scored. Nathan Skogen, Zack Hogsed and Jonah Godsey scored two runs each. Hogsed led the Dogs with three stolen bases, while Dockery and Grayson Hall had two each.
On the mound, Hogsed and Colton Morgan combined for the win. Morgan had nine strikeouts, while Hogsed had six.
Nickolas Sorbera led the Eagles with two runs scored. He also led the team with three stolen bases.
Elijah Cole and Dalton Kester pitched for the Eagles in the loss.
Dogs win 13-1
They were back on the field Friday, when the Bulldogs earned the series sweep with a 13-1 victory on home turf. The Dogs scored early and often to win in five innings.
Murphy scored four runs in both the first and second innings to jump out to a 8-0 lead. The Dogs added one more in the bottom of the third before extending their lead with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Eagles scored their lone run in the top of the fifth inning, but failed to get within 10 runs and the game ended.
Abel Penland scored the Eagles’ only run in the game. Penland and Cole Elliott pitched for the Eagles in their loss to the Dogs.
Up next
Hiwassee Dam will return to the field Thursday as they travel to Polk County, Tenn.
They will then travel to Andrews to face its other in-county rivals. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Murphy will face Rabun-Gap Nacoochee at home at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The Dogs will then travel to Rosman to face the Tigers at 4:30 p.m. Friday.