Bulldogs Advance to Second Round After Hard Fought Win

Photo courtesy of BT Douthit

The 11 seeded Murphy Bulldogs baseball team advanced to the second round of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs after a hard fought 13-10 victory on the road against Starmount.

A back and forth game from start to finish, the Bulldogs headed into the final inning down 9-7. Joe Swain led off the top of the seventh with a solo shot to left field, making it a 9-8 ballgame. Payton McCracken then drove in Braden Rumfelt to tie things up at 9 all. The tie didn’t last long however, as Senior Jesse Kephart busted the game wide open with a 2 run double.

The Dogs wound up scoring 6 runs in the final inning and beating Starmount 13-10.

Briggs Cornwell started the game on the mound for Murphy, lasting 4 and 2/3rds innings, allowing 6 hits and 7 runs while striking out 8.

Dawson Hensley was credited with the W for the Dogs, pitching 1 and 2/3rds, allowing 1 hit and 3 runs while striking out 2. Cole Laney recorded the last 2 outs on the mound for the Dogs, earning him the save.

Up next for Murphy is Uwharrie Charter Academy out of Asheboro, North Carolina. Uwharrie is the number 3 seed, and the third ranked team in the state according to MaxPreps. The Eagles are were 11-1 in the regular season, and are coming off of an 11-0 shutout victory over Chatham Charter in the first round. Stay tuned to Fetch Your News for our second round playoff preview featuring Murphy and Uwharrie.