Bud Murphy’s wins series against Connellsville
CONNELLSVILLE – Now Bud Murphy’s and Bo Derek have one thing in common – both own a winning “10.” While Derek’s 10 is much nicer to fantasize about, Bud’s 10 advances them to the semifinal round of the Fayette County League’s playoffs.
Jason Halfhill had a “10” of his own on the pitching mound, working a two-hit shutout, as Bud’s collared host Connellsville, 11-0, Monday at the Laurel Highlands High field, to sweep their best-of-three opening series. This advances the Cokers into the semis against an opponent still to be determined.
Halfhill gave up only a first inning two-out single to losing pitcher Brian Boyle, and a fifth inning leadoff double to Kevin McIntosh, the only Connellsville runner to advance beyond first base. Other than those two hits, Connellsville had only two other base runners.
Andy Shinsky drew a two-out walk in the third and stayed at first, and Boyle walked to open the fourth and was erased on the front end of a double play. Halfhill (4-1) also fanned nine, and the outfield had only two putouts.
Manager Tom Sankovich said, “Jason doesn’t waste any time on the mound. He throws strikes, he doesn’t walk people, and he’s a fast worker. He was in good form today.”
While Bud’s had 14 hits, Sankovich was still unhappy with one point, noting, “We struck out too many times today. Their pitcher (Boyle) pitched well, and we really didn’t get to him until the fifth, but he had not pitched for a long while and we felt he might get tired.”
Connellsville coach Tom Angeline agreed, noting, “Boyle last pitched in May because of his work schedule, but he kept us in the game at the start with his fastball and curve. I tip my hat to Bud’s, they put together an offense and defense with a great pitching effort today. Halfhill came through when we got anybody on base, and we just could not get any offense going. We’re still a couple players short.”
Bud’s had 14 hits, including Mark Edenfield’s home run and two singles. Joe Bonadio added a double, two singles, and three RBIs, while Brian Shipley chipped in two singles and three RBIs. Jeff Lander added a double and single, and Brian Sankovich laced two singles.
Bud’s led 2-0 in the third. With one out, Bonadio was safe on an error, Josh Delawder walked, both moved up on an out, and Shipley singled them in. It was 3-0 in the fifth on Bonadio, Delawder and Shipley singles.
Three more crossed on the sixth. Edenfield homered over the right-center fence leading off, Lander and Bonadio doubled, and Sankovich singled. A five-run burst in the seventh wrapped it up. With one out, Jack Smarslak walked, Edenfield and Lander singled, Brian Showman walked, Bonadio singled, Delawder sent in one with a flyball, and Sankovich singled.
Sankovich added, “We still don’t know who we will meet in the next round (best-of-5), but whoever it is, the series will start Wednesday at our field.”