Murphy – The Bulldogs’ varsity baseball team got conference play started by taking on Swain County.
In Smoky Mountain Conference action, the Dogs and Devils played a home-and-home series with each team getting a win on home turf. The Dogs also played a non-conference game against Smoky Mountain.
Dogs win with 21
In a high-scoring offensive battle, the Bulldogs defeated Swain 21-16 for their first conference win of the season March 10.
Murphy got the scoring started right away with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Swain answered with six runs in the top of the second to take the lead.
That lead was short lived as the Dogs drove home eight runs in the bottom of the second to lead 12-6 through two innings. After a scoreless third inning, the scoring started again with Swain scoring three runs in the top of the fourth.
Murphy scored one run in the bottom of the fourth to lead 13-9. Swain then grabbed the lead with seven runs in the top of the fifth inning to lead 16-13.
With three runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Dogs tied the game at 16. After holding Swain scoreless in the top of the sixth, they tacked on five runs to take a 21-16 lead, then held Swain scoreless in the top of the seventh for the win.
Every Bulldog crossed home plate at least once, led by Zack Hogsed with four runs. Hogsed, Colton Morgan and Grayson Hall all had one stolen base.
Dogs fall to Smoky
The Dogs were back on the field Thursday, traveling to Sylva to take on Smoky Mountain. Murphy fell 15-5 in the six-inning contest.
Smoky Mountain struck first with a run in the opening frame, but the Dogs answered with four runs in the top of the second to take the lead. In the bottom of the third, Smoky Mountain drove in seven runs to regain the lead.
They added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to lead 12-4. Murphy scored a run in the top of the fifth to make it 12-5.
However, Smoky Mountain scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the win.
Dogs fall 4-3
Murphy was back on the road Friday to face Swain County again. This time, Swain got the better of the Dogs 4-3.
Swain got the scoring started with three runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Murphy started to close the gap with one run in both the third and fourth innings to trail 3-2.
In the top of the sixth inning, Murphy tied it 3-3. After the standard seven innings, it was still 3-3, so the game headed to extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth, Swain drove in a run to win.
Cameron Clem led the Dogs with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Zack Hogsed and Peyton Bain split pitching duties and combined for 12 strikeouts.
Up next
The Dogs return to the diamond at 4:30 p.m. today as they travel to face in-county rivals Hiwassee Dam. Murphy will host Hiwassee Dam at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Rosman at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.