Bud Murphy’s beats improving Dunbar squad, 5-3
Bud Murphy's Ben Herrington (left) is congratulated by manager Lou Pasquale after hitting his second two-run homer of the game Thursday against Dunbar in Fayette County Baseball League action at Breakneck Field.
Bud Murphy's Todd Dunham throws a pitch during Thursday's Fayette County Baseball League home game against Dunbar.
Dunbar's Alex Fogle is tagged out by Bud Murphy's shortstop Jared Early after he was caught in a rundown between first and second base in Thursday's Fayette County Baseball League game at Breakneck Field. Early drove in a run before the rundown.
BULLSKIN TWP. — Bud Murphy’s picked up another win at home on the Breakneck Field Thursday evening, beating an improving Dunbar team 5-3.
The key to the game for Bud’s was the offense of first baseman Ben Herrington, who slugged two home runs in the game, both two-run shots.
“Today was Ben Herrington’s day,” Bud’s manager Lou Pasquale said. “Two, two-run homers, what more can you say. We had five runs and he got four of them.”
Dunbar (0-7) came ready to play in the first inning. Tyler Domer led things off with a double. Brandon Noonan singled putting runners at first and third. After Noonan stole second, Alex Fogle singled, driving in Domer for the 1-0 lead.
“We’re still looking for our first win, but I see improvement,” Dunbar’s Jeff McWilliams said. “We’re a new team and all you can do is try to improve each game, and so far I’m seeing that. We made a couple of mistakes with Herrington. You take those four runs off the board, it’s a totally different story.”
Bud’s (6-3) came back to gain the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Andy Schleihauf drew a two-out walk. Herrington came to plate and hit a high fly ball to right that carried over the fence for an opposite field home run.
Bud’s picked up two more runs in the fourth. Jason Greene singled to start the inning. He was forced at second on Schleihauf’s ground ball. Herrington came to the plate and stroked his second two-run homer to left making the score 4-1 in favor of Bud’s.
Dunbar got a run back in the top of the fifth. Bobby Halfhill opened the inning with a double. Mark Cable followed with another double, scoring Halfhill to make the score 4-2. Cable moved to third on a fly ball to right by Kyle Martin. Mike Rhoads, who replaced starter Todd Dunham, retired the next two batters to end the threat.
Bud’s came back with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Jared Early received a walk. He moved to second on a passed ball, and advanced to third on a fly ball to left by Kaitan Smiley. Chris Leonard’s ground out to second brought the run home.
Dunbar got their final run in the sixth. Jake Swink walked and was replaced by courtesy runner Colin Roble. Ryan Murphy’s double allowed Roble to speed home from first with the run.
“Dunbar has really improved from the last time we played them. They’re going to be fine,” Pasquale said. “Today, we got pretty good pitching. Dunham settled down after the first inning and threw well. Mike Rhoads and Marty Fagler threw well in relief. It was good to see Fagler throw without any discomfort after suffering a bruised foot a couple of weeks ago.”
Bud’s will be in action again Sunday at Belmont Inn. Dunbar has a doubleheader Sunday against Pasta Lorenzo.