Murphy's Pinch Hit Heroics Lift No. 1 Jacksonville to Tourney Opening Win
Date Posted: 5/24/2006
DELAND, Fla. – Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year Daniel Murphy laced a pinch hit RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to help No. 1 seed Jacksonville complete their rally past No. 6 Campbell 6-5 at Melching Field on Wednesday afternoon.
The Camels put pressure on the Dolphins from the beginning of the game. David Forbes blasted his eighth homer of the season in the top of the second inning off A-Sun Pitcher of the Year Matt Dobbins to give Campbell (19-37) an early lead. JU responded with a three-run fourth inning highlighted by Mike McCallister’s two-out, two-run home run. The Camels did not wait long to answer, throwing three runs of their own on the board in their next at-bat. Forbes again proved to be the dangerous with a two-run double down the left field line. The lead extended to 5-3 after Ryan Hamme’s sacrifice fly plated Tim Holt in the top of the seventh inning.
After Joe Waldecker replaced Campbell starter Blake Herring, JU’s rally began. Gordie Gronkowski, the fourth batter Waldecker faced, hit a double to center field to score a pair of runs and tie the game. One inning later, after Justin Young and Don Vickers reached base, Murphy drilled the first pitch he saw off reliever Jeff Randol into the right-center gap to drive in the winning run.
Matt Davis (5-2) picked up the win for the Dolphins after tossing one scoreless inning of relief while Randol (0-3) took the loss.
Jacksonville will face the loser of tonight’s game between No. 3 Stetson and No. 4 Florida Atlantic while Campbell earns a trip to face the loser of the Mercer-ETSU game in the tournament’s first elimination contest.
The championship continues with No. 2 Mercer facing No. 5 ETSU in the day’s second game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.
