Murphy throws in towel as Mustangs roll to win

Dustin Melton threw three hitless innings Monday in Smoky Mountain's 17-2 romp past Murphy. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips

The Bulldogs conceded defeat after three and a half innings.

Dustin Melton (1-0) pitched three hitless innings for the win. Jake Lunnen was the hitting star as he went three of three with five RBIs.

"Dustin threw a good curve ball and just enough strikes to be effective," Coach Tim Hawkins said. "Considering the elements, I thought he threw a good game.

Melton walked three and struck out two.

"Jake came off an illness and had some good swings and hit the ball well," Hawkins said.

"We played well and continued to hit the ball," Hawkins said. "We did what we needed to to make sure everybody got some playing time."

The Mustangs jumped on losing pitcher J.C. Brown for three runs in the first. Lunnen and Matt Hopkins delivered RBI doubles while Carnes had a run-scoring single.

SM erupted for 13 runs in the second as 17 batters went to the plate. Lunnen's three-run homer that reached the edge of Fairview Road highlighted the explosion. He also doubled in the frame. Carnes had a single and triple in the uprising, which was aided by three Murphy errors. Other hits in the inning were doubles by Israel Vargas and Justin Hawk and a single by Dillard.

A walk to Tony Belcher and singles by Jake Day and Josh Day led to the final run in the third.

Murphy broke through in the fourth as Thomas Fields had a two-run single off Josh Day.

"It was tough to keep your concentration," Hawkins said of the weather conditions. "As time went on, it seemed everybody didn't want to hit the ball with their bat because it would hurt their hands."

Back to Sports: 03/08/01.