Murphy no-hits Pataula as teammates dazzle at the plate

Published 10:00 am Thursday, March 17, 2022

CHULA – Tiftarea Academy got back on the field Wednesday afternoon and made it another win, defeating Pataula Charter in four innings, 15-0.

Head coach Dusty Griffis said Tiftarea was “blessed” to play Wednesday. They had been on the field with another school in more than a week because of rain. Initially, the forecast was doubtful for Pataula but ended up a sunny evening.

With scouts sitting in the stands, Hayden Murphy was nearly untouchable, throwing a no-hitter in the shortened contest. Murphy struck out 9; Pataula’s only baserunners were on a strikeout, an error and a walk.

“Great on the mound,” said Griffis.

Murphy also started a double play in the 4th, fielding a high chopper and flipping to second for an out before the ball went to Logan Moore at first to end the frame.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers left little doubt, notching six runs in the opening frame.

Trouble began very quickly for Pataula. Matthew Malone homered on the very first pitch he saw for an immediate 1-0 lead.

Quickly, Murphy and Logan Moore earned walks, then advanced a base on a passed ball. Hershel Moore then made it 3-0 on a single.

William Garner, running for Hershel Moore, moved up on a sacrifice, then scored on a base hit by Lane Cole. Jam Presley completed the scoring in the 1st when he doubled in Cole and Wesley Malone. Malone had reached on a single.

Murphy and Logan Moore walked again to start the bottom of the 2nd and up a base again they went on a double steal.

Runners at second and third made it possible for John Jackson to pick up an RBI on a ground out. That would be the only run for the next two innings as reliever Charles Holley worked those two frames with only a hit allowed.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Tiftarea’s bats exploded again in the 4th.

Eleven players came up in the 4th and Pataula was unable to get an out from any of them.

Parks Parrott singled and scored when a short grounder by Cole became a throwing error.

John Austin Lee doubled in Parrott, then Presley singled in Wesley Malone, who had walked. Up 10-0, Matthew Malone’s base hit brought home Lee.

Murphy walked to fill the bases before Logan Moore and Hershel Moore drove in runs when both were hit by pitches. Coleman Mangham came in to run for Logan Moore.

Robert Garner picked up his first hit of the season – and an RBI – when Murphy trotted in. Mason Tyler had the walk-off his on a short single, Mangham touching home.

Matthew Malone, Lee and Presley all had two hits for the game. Presley drove in three runs.

Griffis was happy to see Lee back in the lineup for the team.

Tiftarea will stay home this weekend, with Gatewood coming in for a doubleheader Saturday. Region play begins next Tuesday at Valwood.