Forest Hill Starts On Right Foot In Lake Worth Tourney Behind Left Arm Of Murray

Forest Hill’s Dylan Barahona was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run in the Falcons 12-0 win over Cardinal Newman.

It’s no secret what Forest Hill does best, and how they will come at a team.

The secret is in stopping it.

The Falcons ace lefty Mike Murray was in top form on Monday afternoon in the opening game of the Lake Worth Tournament at Dave Manzo Field in Lake Worth, leading the way to a dominant 12-0 victory over Cardinal Newman.

“Anytime Michael is throwing there is a good chance we’re clicking,” Falcons coach Russ Milliken said. “They go in to the plate and are coming back empty.”

Murray went the distance for Forest Hill (8-6), recording 15 strikeouts on 74 total pitches.

The senior allowed only a double to Michael Roca and a walk to Crusaders starter Dylan Gordon, facing just three batters over the minimum.

“They see a horse like Murray and it is easy to get intimidated,” Cardinal Newman coach Daniel Prieto said. “We have a lot of talent, but we are young. We avoided the no-hitter, we got some work in for some guys who hadn’t seen much action, and we have two more games this week.”

With their ace cruising, the Falcons wasted no time in putting up runs in his defense with four in the first.

Cardinal Newman starting pitcher Dylan Gordon.

Dylan Barahona reached on an error and scored after a bases-loaded walk to Brayan Ofarrill. Ryan Mahoney singled and came in on an error, and Jose Crespo came in on a sacrifice flyout by Christopher Batista. Ofarrill then came across on a wild pitch.

That would be all the run support that Forest Hill would need, and it continued to increase the difference with a pair of runs in the fourth, and three apiece in the fifth and sixth innings.

Anthony Batista was 2-for-4 with two RBI, and both Madison Milliken and Murray were 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Every starter reached base for the Falcons.

“We didn’t always hit it hard, but we hit it well enough to put runs across,” Coach Milliken said. “We worked hard on our hitting the last few days. They readjusted and played well.”

The Falcons were excited to earn the win for Coach Friday, a former assistant who always struggled to beat the Crusaders (4-9) and whom had come to the game in their support.

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