Aaron Murphee threw six and two-thirds scoreless innings
By Tim Peterson
(Temple City) – Nick Bueno singled to open the game, advanced on a base hit by Jairo Jiorge and eventually scored on a ground ball by Robert Nakamura. It was the only run Monrovia needed as Aaron Murphee made it stand up in a 1-0 win over Temple City Thursday to take control of the Rio Hondo.
“It’s amazing that the first batter scored and that was the only run of the game,” said Monrovia Co-Coach Dave Moore. “They (Temple City) had base runners but Aaron always got the pitch or the out he needed.”
Murphee struck out eight and allowed 8 hits. He worked six and two thirds before being relieved by Chris Calver who go the last batter to pick up the save.
In the bottom of the seventh, Dusty Sanderson beat out an infield grounder to the right side for a hit with one out. With two out, Branden Pultz lined a singe to right to put runners on first and second. Then Calver relieved Murphee.
“The plan was to let Aaron finish the game,” Moore said. “But we looked at the matchups and Chris has a great slider and it worked out. It was one of the rare coaching decisions that actually worked,” Moore laughed.
Temple City's Calvin Copping nearly matched Murphee pitch for pitch
Calver got Justin Smith to hit a hard ground ball to short. Nakamura originally bobbled it but he recovered and carried it to second base for the force to end it.
Murphee needed to be on his game to outduel Calvin Copping. The sophomore went the distance, allowing only the first inning run. Copping fanned eight and scattered six hits.
“It was just two kids battling. Copping pitched a great game,” Moore said.
With the win Monrovia improved to 11-1 in the Rio Hondo, while Temple City dropped to 10-3. The Wildcats have three games left while Temple City has two.
M 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
TC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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