PREP BASEBALL: Murphy powers past Lakewood
Published 11:31 pm Friday, March 20, 2009
EVERETT — Brandon Burr didn’t play baseball for Archbishop Murphy last season. Instead, he worked to save money to pay for school.
After working out during the winter months, Burr returned to the diamond this spring and is helping the Wildcats to a strong start.
Burr was one of a number of Wildcats who put on an offensive show in a 17-2 Cascade Conference win over Lakewood Friday afternoon on Roman Miller Field at Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School.
Archbishop Murphy tagged Lakewood’s starting pitching for 10 runs in the first inning.
Jake Robinett, batting second for the Wildcats, smacked a two-run home run into strong winds blowing from left to right field. Burr hit an RBI-single up the middle later in the inning and Casey Robinett plated two with an RBI-double.
Starting catcher Chris Peterson also had a bases-clearing double to right centerfield in the inning.
“It doesn’t always happen that way,” said Archbishop Murphy head coach Stan Taloff. “When you put the ball in play the way they did, we’ll take that any day.”
Burr continued the Wildcats’ torrid hitting with a grand slam in the second inning. Lakewood’s Andrew Campbell left a fastball high in the zone and Burr gave the ball a ride. Burr, who started the season 1-for-6, batted 2-for-3 with six RBI.
“It’s the most RBIs I’ve had in a long time,” Burr said. “I’m finally hitting the ball.”
The Wildcats have showcased power early in the season. In the three-game sweep of Lakewood, Archbishop Murphy pounded out nine home runs. The Wildcats also collected seven doubles in the third game thanks in part to the windy conditions.
Taloff said that having a number of physically talented players helps with the offense, but he added that his squad needs to stay grounded.
“We have to find a way to win every inning,” Taloff said.
Casey Robinett, making his first appearance on the mound, pitched three innings and worked his way out of two bases-loaded jams in the first two innings. Left-handed pitcher Jake Hanley worked the final two innings in relief.
“He (Hanley) threw very well,” Taloff said. “It was his second time out and the second time he’s pitched very well.”
The Robinett brothers sparked the Wildcats’ offense throughout the Cascade Conference series. Jake had two home runs and Casey had one in an 11-4 win on March 18. Casey finished Friday’s game 2-for-2 with two walks, two RBI and two runs scored. Jake finished 1-for-4 with two RBI.
“Its really been something to see them hit the ball so well,” Taloff said. “They spend a lot of time in the batting cages.”
“They’re just tearing it up right now,” Burr said.
For the Cougars, Justin Virdell had an RBI-double in the second inning and Freddy Perez added an RBI-ground out.
Archbishop Murphy looks to continue its fast start next week with a three-game set against Coupeville.
“Hopefully, we keep it up the next couple of weeks and don’t get big heads,” Burr said.
At Archbishop Murphy H.S.
Lakewood 002 00 — 2 3 0
Murphy (10)42 1x — 17 15 2
Harnden, Campbell (1) and Etchey. C. Robinett, Hanley (4) and Peterson, Hanson (4). W—C. Robinett (1-0). L—Harnden. 2B—Virdell (L), Hines (AM), Peterson (AM), Oster (AM), C. Robinett (AM), Varriano (AM), Hanley (AM), Howard (AM). HR—J. Robinett (AM), Burr (AM). Records—Lakewood 0-3 overall, 0-3 league. Archbishop Murphy 4-0, 3-0.
