Murray Gets Parting Shot at Title

Hand-shakers, well-wishers, even a sobbing public-address announcer.

It was almost impossible to talk to Coach Bud Murray of Hart High, who was congratulated over and over by a stream of people on the baseball field.

And why not?

Post-game access to the retiring 22-year coach probably will be tougher at the next destination for Hart, a 16-0 winner over Chino Don Lugo in a Southern Section Division II semifinal Tuesday at Hart.

Hart hit five home runs in a game halted after 4 1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule, and exploded for its highest run total in the playoffs since scoring 23 against La Salle in 1989.

How apropos that several members of the 1989 team were in attendance Tuesday.

Even more apropos, Murray won the last game he will coach on the field that is named after him.

Second-seeded Hart (26-4) will play Santa Maria Righetti for the championship Saturday at 4:30 at Edison Field in Anaheim.

“I was really hoping we’d score some runs today--get our work done and get out of here,” Murray said.

The Indians are headed to the championship game for the first time since 1989. They have never won a baseball title.

“It’s the best thing that probably could ever happen for Coach,” said pitcher Jamie Shields (10-0), who allowed two hits, struck out six and continued a home run duel with right fielder Matt Friedrichsen.

Friedrichsen hit two home runs, Shields hit one, and they both emerged with 11 home runs each, tied for the best single-season total in Hart history.

“I think we’re going to keep it a tie,” Friedrichsen said. “Another two more in Anaheim for both of us.”

Friedrichsen, who also hit a double, had five runs batted in. Last week, he struggled, going hitless in seven at-bats and striking out three times in two games.

“I wasn’t seeing the ball,” Friedrichsen said. “I couldn’t touch it. I’m seeing it now.”

Unseeded Don Lugo (23-5), which upset third-seeded Gahr in the quarterfinals, watched “The Natural” on the bus ride to the game Tuesday, but the Conquistadores’ bats failed them during the game.

Instead, Hart pounded out 14 hits and batted around twice, sending 10 batters to the plate in a six-run first inning and 13 batters in a nine-run third.

Danny Boda (7-1) of Don Lugo departed with one out in the first inning after surrendering six runs.

“It was a definite avalanche today,” Coach Joe Marcos of Don Lugo said. “They hit us full-force.”