Vikings, behind Murphy, Cornwall empty

By Mike Zummo

The first time the Valley Central Vikings and Cornwall Dragons met, it took 10 runs for the Vikings to get a win.

The second meeting was quite different, as Jason Murphy threw a complete game in the Vikings’ 4-0 victory Wednesday in an Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association baseball game at Cornwall High School in New Windsor.

“That was hands down the best game we’ve put together this season,” Valley Central coach Matt Lennon said. “Definitely against the opponent we were playing today in Cornwall. We had a tough game against them earlier in the season and we knew going into the game they were going to want this one.”

Murphy made sure they didn’t get it. He limited the Dragons to four hits and allowed just two runners to reach second base. He struck out six batters, bringing his career total to 98.

“My fastball was moving pretty good,” Murphy said. “The fielders were everything. I couldn’t do it without them. My shortstop made plays today and my catcher got a couple of calls that were borderline, but he got it right and got on the line. Colin Quinn and William Quinn were a big part of that.”

Murphy also helped out at the plate, starting the Vikings’ two-run fourth inning with a base hit up the middle, and Chris Byrne singled with a bunt up the third base line. Murphy scored on Trevor Mitchetti’s sacrifice fly and John Wentink singled in Byrne to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.

“When I got the lead, pitching becomes a lot easier, especially with active runners,” Murphy said. “It feels great, especially when you know your stuff is working and your players are making plays.”

The Vikings added a run in the fifth inning on Justin Freeman’s RBI single and another in the sixth on Byrne’s sacrifice fly.

“We’re as confident as ever when we have (Murphy) on the mound,” Lennon said. “I think we showed that today. One thing I’m happy about is that this team has gone through both sides of the spectrum this season, starting the year with two tough losses and then being able to get into the swing of things.”

The Vikings entered this week having lost two straight league games to the Warwick Wildcats and Minisink Valley Warriors and got back on the winning track on April 29 with a doubleheader of the Monticello Panthers.

The first game, an 11-0 win, was called after five innings because of the 10-run rule. The Vikings went on a six-run seventh inning in the second game to pull out a 17-2 victory.

They finished the week with a home game against the Goshen Gladiators, looking to avenge a 4-3 loss on April 16th. The Vikings won the game, 10-7.

The win against Cornwall on Wednesday clinched a .500 record in the division, guaranteeing their bid to the Section 9 Class AA tournament.

“It’s big for us,” Murphy said. “I think we can do some serious damage in sections.”