Murphy Strikes Out Nine As Hawks Take Down Alma

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- In what turned into a rain-filled afternoon at Neal Posey Field for the Firehouse Classic, Hawks Baseball improved to 9-4 on the year with a 7-3 victory over the Scots of Alma College. In the win, freshman pitcher Colin Murphy dominated the game from the mound, pitching 9 strikeouts through five innings of play en route to the home victory.

The Hawks collected 10 hits in the contest, led by a strong performance from Ty Pruitt, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two walks to reach base five times. Jabez Sampson also delivered a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including the go-ahead hit in the seventh inning.

Huntingdon answered quickly after falling behind in the first inning. Sampson put the Hawks in front with a two-RBI single in the bottom half of the frame, scoring Pruitt and Blayne McDaniel to make it 2-1.

After the visitors briefly regained the lead in the second, the Hawks tied the game at 3-3 when McDaniel drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run.

The game remained deadlocked until the seventh inning, when Huntingdon broke through. Sampson singled home Brodie Holcomb to give the Hawks the lead, and Jay Davidson followed with an RBI single to extend the advantage to 5-3.

Huntingdon added insurance in the eighth as McDaniel drove in another run with a single before Pruitt later scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 7-3.

On the mound, Colin Murphy was outstanding in relief, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just five hits and striking out nine to earn the win. Jacob McFarling started the game and struck out three in two innings of work.

The Hawks close out the Firehouse Classic tomorrow with a double-header against Edgewood and Millsaps. Games are set for 2:30 and 6:00 PM CT.