By: Mike Penn


Prep Baseball Report Michigan traveled to the west side of the state to see the #1 ranked and defending state champion Rockford Rams play the West Catholic.  The Falcons of West Catholic jumped out to an early lead scoring three runs in the first inning and two more in the second.  The 5-0 lead after two proved to be all that the Falcons would need as they held off a late inning charge by the Rams.  

The Rams threatened to the very end, sending the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh.  However, Falcons starter Corey Murphy, who is committed to play at Davenport University, struck out the final batter of the game adding to his four other strike outs.  In total, Murphy threw a complete game, scattering six hits over seven innings and striking out five.  Murphy flashed a strong fastball sitting 84-85 MPH touching 86 MPH while keeping hitters off balance with a biting breaking ball at times.  

Murphy also added a hit with an RBI.  Other top performers for the Falcons include Andy Woodruff, who went 3-4 at the plate; Mark Buitendyk, who knocked in 2 runs; and Kevin Manser, who added two hits of his own.

West Catholic is set to play Division 2 state runner up from a year ago Grand Rapids Christian in the finals of the Rockford Varsity Boosters Tournament.

 
Corey Murphy