Murphy – In the first multi-game week of the season, the Murphy varsity baseball team faced two out-of-state teams.
They opened the week against Polk County, Tenn., then faced Union County, Ga., in the Bulldogs’ home opener.
Dogs beat Polk
In the second game of the season, the Dogs traveled to Polk County, where they defeated the Wildcats 11-0 on March 3. The Dogs started the game will a barrage of runs, as they brought home six in the opening frame.
In the top of the first, Colton Morgan singled to bring home Zack Hogsed. Then Konner Dockery got on base to score Morgan.
Cameron Clem singled to bring home two runs to make it 4-0 with no outs. Carter Adams singled to left field to bring home Clem. Adams then scored on a Grayson Hall single to make it 6-0.
In the top of the second inning, Morgan got aboard first and thence and Dockery scored on a Clem three-run home run – Clem’s second home run in as many games – to make the game 9-0.
After a scoreless third inning, the Dogs added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Nathan Skogan got on base on an error. Then Skogen scored from third base.
The Dogs’ final run of the game came as Aayden Williams scored from third on a Hall single. The fifth and sixth innings went scoreless as the Dogs shutout the Wildcats.
With three hits and two runs on four at bats, Morgan also led the Dogs to the win with his performance on the mound. Morgan pitched five innings, allowing only one hit and striking out 11 of the 16 batters he faced.
Morgan, as well as Dockery and Clem, scored two runs each. Morgan led the team in hits with three, while Clem led the team with five RBI.
Skogen, Hogsed, Morgan, Williams and Evan Wilson each had a stolen base against the Wildcats.
Dogs fall to Union
In their home opener at Konehete Veterans Park, the Dogs lost to Union County, Ga., 13-0 on March 4.
In the top of the first, the Panthers started the scoring with seven runs to open the contest. The Panthers added on two more runs in the top of the second.
In the third inning, Union County added on three runs to make it 12-0. After a scoreless third inning, the Panthers scored one more run to make it 13-0.
The Dogs failed to put any runs on the board and were shutout in their home opener. Murphy had only three hits with Dockery, Morgan and Williams getting on base.
Peyton Bain and Michael Brown also got on base after being walked. Morgan got the Dogs’ lone stolen base.
Hogsed and Bain shared pitching duties. Hogsed pitched the two opening innings, while Bain hurled the final three.
Up next
The Dogs will return to the diamond at 7 p.m. Thursday, when they travel to Sylva to face Smoky Mountain. They will return home at 6 p.m. Friday to face Swain County.
Murphy will then host Towns County, Ga., at 4:30 p.m. Monday. At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Dogs will face in-county rivals Hiwassee Dam on the road.