The Bombers have been on a roll as of late, scoring 87 runs over their last seven games, and Monday night’s game against the Chillicothe Mudcats at Liberty Park Stadium was no exception.
The Bombers offense got off to a quick start with Tyson Cusmon and Trey Harris each doubling in a 3-run first inning. Harris looked at ease at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and triple. He led a Bombers offense that totaled 14 hits.
High-scoring games have been a trend of the Bomber recently and Coach Craig McAndrews said the key to this explosive offense is simply each batter sticking to his game plan.
“(It’s) sticking to who you are,” McAndrews said. “If you’re a bunt guy, if you’re a speed guy, you’re staying on the ground. If you’re a guy that hits home runs and doubles, then stick to your plan.”
The offense reached double-digit runs for the seventh straight game, but Justin Murphy needed just two runs from his offense.
Murphy allowed just one run over seven innings. The right-hander out of Southeast Missouri State didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and only surrendered four total hits to the Mudcats.
It was not all easy sailing for Murphy, though. He was forced to operate with runners in scoring position in both the second and sixth innings. Murphy performed a flawless escape act on both occasions, and only faltered in the fourth after giving up a pair of doubles and a run.
Murphy had the support of a Bombers defense that played an essential role in his six scoreless frames. The defense turned a pair of double plays during that time and Ethen Owens dazzled the crowd at Liberty Park with a catch on his knees in the third.
The Bombers look to extend their winning streak to nine as they host the South Division Leaders, the Ozarks Generals, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Liberty Park.
