Aug 9, 2010 By Josh Herman for The 3 min read

MILL RUN – Ben Herrington came up with a clutch two-out, three-run triple as Bud Murphy’s topped Mill Run 3-2 on Sunday in the Fayette County Baseball League playoffs. Bud Murphy’s win sends what has been a scintillating series to a conclusive game five Monday evening at Breakneck Field.

Pitching was the story as it has been all series long. Marty Fagler scattered seven hits and struck out eight, earning him the win as well as the praise of his manager.

“Our pitching staff has been carrying us all year. There is no doubt about that,” said Bud’s manager Lou Pasquale. “Marty threw fantastic for us.”

Mill Run looked poised to draw the series to a close. Mill Run’s starting pitcher Bob Fulton hit a triple to right field in the bottom of the first, and scored on Dennis Show’s RBI single.

Fulton took the loss despite pitching well with his early advantage; he allowed six hits to go with five strikeouts in seven innings of work.

“This whole series has been pitching,” said Mill Run manager Ray Orndorff, who also believes that pitching has been the equalizer for his team after struggling against Bud’s during the regular season. “We weren’t consistent earlier in the year, we were scoring runs and still losing, pitching has been the difference for us down the stretch,” Orndorff added.

The offense from Bud Murphy’s, which has been missing in action at times during the series, finally began clicking in the fifth inning.

Kaitan Smiley drew a leadoff walk, and Casey Teagarden and Andy Schleihauf both singled to load the bases.

Herrington, who has had some tough luck this series hitting long balls for outs, wouldn’t be denied this time. He promptly blasted the go-ahead, bases-clearing triple to give his team a two-run advantage.

“Two out and two strikes, and he just hit a rocket,” said Pasquale.

Mill Run scored an inconsequential run in the seventh, as Jeremy Miller walked and then scored after Andrew Brooks singled and the Bud Murphy’s outfield misplayed the ball.

Fagler’s composure was uncompromising as he proceeded to record three consecutive outs with a one-run lead, with two of those outs coming by way of strikeout.

Pasquale thinks his team may need some more firepower in what has been a fairly low scoring series.

“I don’t think three runs is going to get it done anymore,” said Pasquale.

The winner of Game 5 faces Blue Mountain in the best-of-seven championship series.