Murphy used a big third inning to take control and never looked back Monday night, rolling past rival Robbinsville 10-0.

The Bulldogs wasted no time getting started. In the bottom of the first, Murphy pushed across three early runs with steady, small-ball execution. Colton Morgan drove in a run on a groundout, Peyton Bain worked a bases-loaded walk, and Grayson Hall lined a single down the left field line to make it 3-0.

But it was the third inning that broke things open.

Murphy sent runners all over the bases and capitalized on nearly every opportunity, scoring six runs on six hits. A Robbinsville error brought in two, and the Bulldogs followed with a string of timely hits. Zack Hogsed knocked in a run, Aayden Williams drove in two more with a single, and Konner Dockery added another RBI knock as Murphy stretched the lead to 9-0.

From there, Morgan handled the rest on the mound.

The Murphy right-hander was in control all night, allowing just three hits over five shutout innings while striking out 10. He worked around a couple of walks but never let Robbinsville find any rhythm at the plate.

Robbinsville’s offense was limited to singles from Everette Taylor, Evan Menard, and Luke Lovin, as Murphy’s defense stayed sharp behind its pitcher. The Bulldogs played a clean game in the field without committing an error, with Bain leading the way defensively.

At the plate, Murphy finished with 10 hits. Hogsed, Williams, Hall, and Nathan Skogan each collected two hits, with Hogsed and Williams driving in two runs apiece. The Bulldogs were just as aggressive on the bases, swiping seven bags, including three from Kaden Curtis.

Murphy and Robbinsville won’t have to wait long for a rematch, as the Black Knights are set to host the Bulldogs on Thursday.