ANACORTES — A winner-to-state game is generally not a good time for a team to have two runners thrown out at the plate in one inning or commit a season-high number of errors. Archbishop Murphy did both and Burlington-Edison made the Wildcats pay dearly, upsetting the Cascade Conference champions to secure a state playoff berth.
Archbishop Murphy appeared to start well on offense. In the bottom of the first inning, the first two hitters, Trever Morrison and Eric Lawson both singled. Alex Galgano followed with the third consecutive base-hit, but Tigers’ right fielder Walker Otis threw out Morrison at home. After Levi MaVorhis walked to load the bases, Otis caught Xander Clouse’s fly ball and gunned down Lawson trying to tag from third for the double play.
The Wildcats blew a similar opportunity in the third inning after B-E starter Austin Von Herbulis walked the first three batters. Von Herbulis induced an infield popout for the first out and then fielded a comebacker to start a 1-2-3 double play to escape the inning.
While Archbishop Murphy was unable to capitalize on Von Herbulis’ wildness (seven walks total), B-E took advantage of Archbishop Murphy’s six errors. Of the four runs allowed by Clouse, only two were earned, coming on Von Herbulis’ two-run double in the third.
After cruising through the entire regular season, the Wildcats now have their backs against the wall. Archbishop Murphy will play Cedarcrest, a team the Wildcats swept during conference play, in a winner-to-state/loser-out game on Saturday at Volunteer Park in Anacortes.
At Daniels Field
Burlington-Edison0030101—550
Archbishop Murphy0000000—056
Austin Von Herbulis, Not reported (6), and Dalton Schwetz 2-4 2 rs. Xander Clouse, Marcus Burdyshaw (5), and Alex Galgano. WP—Von Herbulis. LP—Clouse. 2B—Von Herbulis. Records—Burlington-Edison 15-7 overall. Archbishop Murphy 20-2.
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