NANTICOKE — The short answer would be everything. Wyoming Seminary pitcher Aiden Murphy, though, expanded his explanation after a dominant performance Monday.
“What was working was I was mixing up a lot of off-speed,” Murphy said. “Changing location in-out, fast-slow and just letting them hit the ball knowing my teammates would make plays behind me. Having the confidence in them, that’s what really worked for us.”
Murphy’s teammate spent a lot of time standing around as the Wilkes-bound righty struck out 11 and allowed one hit as the sixth-seeded Blue Knights knocked off third-seeded Nanticoke Area 5-0 in the District 2 Class 3A baseball quarterfinals.
The victory put Seminary (7-7) into the semifinals against another team which knocked off a higher seed. Seventh-seeded Scranton Prep upset second-seeded Holy Redeemer 7-4 and will travel to Seminary on Wednesday.
Murphy opened the game by striking out the side. The only Nanticoke Area hit came in the third when Owen Brown bunted his way on base. Brown’s bunt was the second of three in a row by the Trojans. The first resulted in Devyn Sura being hit in the back of the helmet by the throw from Seminary catcher Jakson Amend. Sura, though, was called out for running on the inside of the foul line.
Brown was bunted over to second by Collin Piestrak, but that’s where he was stranded. He was the only base runner Nanticoke Area had all game as Murphy retired the final 14 batters in order.
“His stuff is dynamic,” Seminary coach Joe Phillips said. “I think he’s the best pitcher in the area. He’s proven it time and time again.”
Nanticoke Area managed to hit three balls out of the infield. The other outs came on grounders and a couple…
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