Back on May 1st in the 25 division the Frozen Ropes Outlaws were playing against the newly assembled Katie O'Brynes Fighting Irish.
Nick Murphy took the mound for the Outlaws hoping to help the Outlaws bounce back after running into Jim Shook a few days before. Nick took the mound and seemed to have all his pitching working as guys were striking out or hitting the ball weak somewhere. After the 4 inning the guys in the dugout started asking about the Perfect game. Everyone was yelling be quiet this is sacred and dont jinx it. The Outlaws bust it open and take a commanding lead 6-0. The 5th goes by then the 6th. Going into the Bottom of the 7th the Outlaws now had a 10-0 lead and it was time to close the door. Nick strikes out the 1st 2 guys on 6 pitches. 2 outs in the 7 inning the pitch strike 1, then strike 2, a waste pitch high. A ground ball to 1st base he moves to his right......... Nick hustles over to 1st to cover the bag...............the ball hits the 1st baseman's glove and rolls to his right the Perfect game is over. In the dugout the guys were cheering Nick on telling him to finish strong and he could still have the no no. Next pitch grounder between SS and 3B and the SS dove and cut it off but was to late to get the runner at 1st and the Perfect game and No Hitter were broken up on 2 pitches. The next batter struck out on 3 pitches ending the game.
Great Job by Nick Murphy who threw 22 of 23 1st pitch strikes. 7 innings pitched 1 hit ball and 12 K's.
The only other one that close was broken up by a bunt single in a game that ended after five innings by the 10-run rule. Jim Ansel was the author of that gem.
Lets not forget Joe Burns. I checked my posts and on 5-21-2007 at Farnsworth, Joe Burns may not have a perfect game but needs to be mentioned. The Reds were playing the Shaskey's and Tony pilatich threw 2 pitches in that game and hurt his shoulder. Joe entered the game with a 1-1 count on the first batter and proceeded to strike out 13 0f 18 batters in 6 innings of a darkness shortened game. There was a modified game before which ran over so the 7th inning could not be played. There are not many games like these so credit is given where credit is due. Nice job guys
Someone actually bunted to break up the perfect game/no hitter? Knowing Jim he was not pleased!
During Nick's bid at history I remember taking myself out in the 4th inning as we had a comfortable lead by then. I wanted to sit and enjoy this moment. It was the 7th inning 2 outs 2 strikes the pitch and it was a slow roller to 1st I jumped up and ran out of the dugout towards the field and was forced to sit back down as the ball hit off the 1st baseman's glove.
No Lie.......I think after the game we shook hands and it was like we had lost the game because everyone was so hyped about the perfect game to have it end so abruptly was devastating. I remember the teams playing behind us asking if we lost and I said no we won 10-0.
Congrats to Jim Ansel and Joe Burns for their Perfect Game bids as well. Its an amazing feat and they should be honored.
Bryan Murray almost threw a perfect game for the Cutters (now Indians) in 2008. It was broken up by an error, an E-2 on that....and a dropped third strike (in the second inning). The runner was promptly erased on a double play and Murray cruised the rest of the way. Boy to I wish I didn't miss that pitch....
