SILER CITY — Jordan-Matthews’ Samuel Murchison and Chatham Central’s Michael Moore locked horns in a classic pitching duel through four scoreless innings before Carson Rickman’s two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the fifth provided the game’s only runs to propel the Jets to a 2-0 triumph over their arch rival Thursday night on Jimmy Warfford Field in front of an overflow crowd.
The non-conference victory lifted J-M to 4-1 for the year, while the Bears slipped to 1-3 overall.
Murchison hurled five-plus innings to earn the win, allowing just one hit – Parker Crowley’s leadoff single to center in the top of the fourth – while walking three and fanning 11. Southpaw Camden Fuquay finished up on the mound for Jordan-Matthews, tossing two hitless innings while issuing one free pass and whiffing four to pick up a save.
Moore went the distance on the hill for Chatham Central and absorbed the loss after allowing six hits and a pair of earned runs in addition to walking three and striking out seven. The right-hander threw a total of 97 pitches, including 64 (66 percent) for strikes.
The Jets began their game-winning rally in the home fifth when Fuquay led off the frame with an infield hit to deep short and moved to second with one away on Chris Morgan’s soft liner to left that fell in for a single.
One out later Rickman pounced on a first-pitch offering from Moore and drove it to the left field fence to plate both Fuquay and Morgan to wrap up the night’s scoring.
“Our pitching was simply outstanding tonight,” said J-M coach John Will Headen. “Sam overpowered batters all night long, while Camden was dead-on in relief.”
“Chatham Central is a lot better team than what their record shows, and Michael Moore threw a great game for them as he managed to leave guys in scoring position in every inning. It all came down to Carson Rickman’s timely hit with guys on base that let us go home with a victory tonight.”
“Let me add how proud I am of the seniors on this year’s team, and I want to recognize how they have worked so hard to turn this program around over the past three seasons.”
Bears’ coach Brett Walden explained the outcome was a result of Jordan-Matthews executing when it mattered.
“I thought Michael Moore pitched well enough to get a win this evening, but we didn’t give him any support at the plate,” said Walden. “One hit and 15 strikeouts won’t get the job done, as we stranded six guys in scoring position.”
“J-M got the clutch hit with two outs when they needed it while both their pitchers were extremely effective. Murchison and Fuquay are as good as anyone we’ll see all year.”