Shutout Gives Bruins Baseball The First County Championship In Program History

Preparing for a county championship game in baseball is not a simple task. Teams are certainly there to win, but with the playoffs looming later in the week, coaches have to balance playing to win with setting up the pitching for the upcoming win-or-go-home postseason.

On May 9, Broadneck coach Matt Skrenchuk let the flow of the game dictate his decision making, which resulted in senior ace Sean Murphy throwing a complete game shutout as the Bruins (17-2) defeated the North County Knights, 1-0, to sweep the regular season and championship game titles.

“I liked the energy we were playing with tonight,” Skrenchuk said, “and wanted to win tonight and carry this momentum into the playoffs.”

Skrenchuk also is confident in his pitching staff, knowing what the other starting pitchers are capable of. The coach said senior Zach Palmer "has pitched very well for us this year.”

In a game where pitching mostly silenced the bats of both teams, Broadneck was able to score the game’s only run with small ball and great base-running. Sophomore Noah Forman reached with a two-out single to center field and quickly stole second base. Fellow sophomore Kobe Owen hit a shot toward the right side that deflected off of the glove of the Knights first baseman as he attempted a diving stop. Forman ran hard and did not hesitate to round third base, easily beating the throw home from the North County second baseman. Despite only having a one-run lead, Broadneck felt confident behind Murphy and his defense, which made a number of great plays to keep the Knights off the scoreboard.

In the top of the seventh, North County managed to get runners to second and third, but Murphy closed out the game with a called third strike and the Bruins celebrated the first county championship in school history. Now Broadneck turns their attention to a home Saturday playoff game vs. the winner of North Point and South River at noon, with sights on continuing a great season with a deep playoff run.