The 2019 Murphy Baseball team overcame an 8-1 deficit against the Hayesville Yellow Jackets on Tuesday night with the help of Briggs Cornwell’s hot bat; Then turn around and mercy rule the Cherokee Braves on Thursday to move to 3-0 in SMC play.

This past Tuesday evening at Konehete park, the Bulldogs found themselves in a 8-1 hole. The Bulldogs stayed patient in the fourth, scoring 4 runs after a couple walks and a Briggs Cornwell 2 RBI double to right.

Heading into the bottom of the 5th the Dogs still found themselves down by a single run, 8-7. With 2 quick outs already in the inning, Lukas Barolet saw his chance on a passed ball and scored from 3rd on a wild pitch tying the game up and giving the Dogs a chance for a 2 out rally with Cornwell back up to the plate after a Dawson Hensley walk. Cornwell took advantage of the opportunity with ducks on the pond, singling up the middle and driving in the go ahead run and allowing Kellen Rumfelt to advance to third and score on a wild pitch giving the Bulldogs a 10-8 lead heading into the 6th. 

A game as exciting as this one had to end with a little flare and it certainly did, as Hayesville’s Connor Bradley hit a deep triple to right field that scored Hunter Baldwin and cut the Bulldogs lead to 1 in the final inning of play. After Hayesville’s coach Jeff Vardo saw Murphy pitcher Lukas Barolet throw a few balls to  Jeremy Stewart he played an agressive hand and sent Bradley home from 3rd on a passed ball, only for the Dogs to make an outstanding play at the plate and record the 2nd out of the inning. Barolet composed himself on the mound and struck out the final batter of the game, adding another W to the Dogs win column and sending the Yellow Jackets home with a 1-3 record.

After the nail biter on Tuesday, Murphy gave their fans a break in the following game against Cherokee, led by Caleb Allens 4 for 4 day. The Bulldogs had 4 players with multiple hits in the 16-1 blowout over the Braves, including Braden Rumfelt, Payton McCraken, Briggs Cornwell and Caleb Allen. The onslaught was sparked by Cornwells 1st inning 2 run homerun. Kellen Rumfelt was on the mound for the Dogs and allowed 2 hits and 1 run through 4 innings while fanning 2 Cherokee hitters.

The Bulldogs are 3-1 on the year with the only blemish on their record coming from their opener against Franklin.