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No. 10 Crown Point Advances to Sectional Final; Hobart's Murray touches 95

May 29, 2013

By Phil Wade
Director, PBR Indiana  

LA PORTE---In last night’s Sectional 2 semi-final game at LaPorte HS, we witnessed one of the best pitching matchups thus far in the post season.  Hobart’s Brandon Murray (South Carolina) ranked No. 2 in 2014, and Crown Point’s Zach Plesac (Ball State) ranked No. 11 in 2013, squared off for a chance to lead their respective teams into Wednesday’s sectional championship game. 

In the top of the first, Plesac scored the only run of the game.  Murray got the first two hitters out on a pop out and a strike out.  Plesac was then hit by a pitch on a Murray breaking ball, giving the Bulldogs a runner on first.  On an attempted pickoff throw, the ball got way from the first baseman and Plesac advanced all the way to third base.  Plesac eventually attempted a steal home, but was picked off and called out, however, the first base umpire called a balk on Murray, a controversial call, giving Crown Point the 1-0 lead.  

Murray eventually settled in allowing just one hit in seven innings of work, while striking out 11.  At times he struggled to find the zone, walking five on the night, but was always able to get out of the jams.  Murray’s fastball was impressive throughout the game.  In the first he sat 91-94 mph, touching 95 on a strikeout.  He sat in the low 90’s throughout the game, and threw a sharp breaking ball keeping the Crown Point hitters off balance.  

Plesac was also impressive throughout the evening, allowing just three hits and no runs with 9 strikeouts.  Plesac’s fastball sat 87-90 most of the game, touching 92 mph on several occasions.  

The 1-0 victory advances No. 10 Crown Point (25-5) to tonight’s championship game.  

The Bulldogs will face the winner of tonight’s first game between Portage and Merrillville which was suspended in the bottom of the 4th last night due to weather.  The two teams are tied at 3-3. 

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