Murphy – For a moment, Robbinsville was in the driver’s seat.
Starting pitcher Jeb Shuler led off the Knights’ road game Saturday against Murphy with a solo homer over the left-field fence, giving Robbinsville a boost of momentum before the defense even took the field.
But Murphy responded with respective five and 12-run stints at the plate – with the latter inning seeing 17 Bulldogs come to the plate – and though the Knights later chipped away at the deficit, the game ended in five innings with a 20-7 Murphy victory.
Coupled with a 10-9 road loss at Hiwassee Dam on April 27, Robbinsville is off to an 0-2 start this year.
But optimism remains high.
“I am enjoying getting to coach all the players on the team this year,” said Knights skipper Brent Icenhower. “We are off to a rough start, but we are not hanging our heads. The kids are working very hard at practice, trying to get better.
“Even though we are 0-2 at the moment, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up hope. We are getting better and honestly, I see some good results heading our way in the future.”
Robbinsville got three runs back in the third, when Alex Knight drew a bases-loaded walk that plated Kade Garrison, and Kamdyn Jordan doubled home Ethan Orr and Greylon Orr.
Courtesy runner Isaac Wiggins then scored on an error in the fourth for the Knights, before Shuler dashed home on a wild pitch and Greylon Orr singled to bring in Christian Phillips.
Eagles walk-off
Hiwassee Dam – Shuler had five stolen bases and a 2-hit game at Hiwassee Dam, while Kayden Brock struck out 12 batters across five innings of work, but Robbinsville fell on a 2-run, walk-off homer.
April 27, 2021
Robbinsville 104 200 2 – 9 5 1
Hiwassee Dam 300 032 2 – 10 8 3
WP – Simms. LP – Orr (0-1). 2B – Shuler 2; Simms, Cl. Davis. HR – Co. Davis. SB – Shuler 5, Knight, Patterson, Jordan, Phillips; Co. Davis 2, Hedrick, Rummler.