Murphy, a 1980 Hilltopper alumnus who was a fixture in the Green Bay Packers’ secondary for more than a decade, was introduced into the Stark County High School Hall of Fame this past Friday night.

This will be the third Hall of Fame induction for Murphy. He became a member of the West Liberty Hall of Fame in 1993 and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1998.

A 1976 graduate of Canton GlenOak High School, Murphy played at West Liberty from 1976-79. The hard-hitting defensive back helped lead the 1979 Hilltoppers to a WVIAC title, earning first-team All-Conference honors with 5 interceptions and 122 tackles.

Murphy made the Packers’ roster as an undrafted free agent the following summer and went on to carve out a 12-year NFL career. Murphy started 122 games for the Packers and played in 147. He was charted with 20 career interceptions while his 926 career tackles still rank fifth on the team’s all-time list.

Currently Dean of Students and assistant football coach at Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Murphy resides in Green, Ohio with his wife, Pamela.

For West Virginia, this is only their second OVAC All Star Game victory of the 21st Century. For Coach Tom Bruney, it was his first victory in an All Star Game.

Box Score:

West Virginia 24, Ohio 14
1 2 3 4 T

West Virginia 0 3 7 14 24
Ohio 0 7 0 7 14

O – Dierkes 6 run (Cook kick)
W – FG Molinari 47
W – Ferguson 3 run (Molinari kick)
W – Ferguson 1 run (Molinari kick)
O – Wiggins 16 pass from Smith (Cook kick)
W – Varner 1 run (Molinari kick)

Statistics

Rushing:

West Virginia 33-113-3td
(Ferguson 10-57-2td, Wallace 14-46, Bates 5-9, George 2-6, Varner 1-1-td, Hood 1-(-6);

Ohio
27-96-td
(Dierkes 13-64-td, Hardesty 4-18, Thomas 3-2, Smith 6-16, Spence 1-(-4).

Passing:

West Virginia 9-12-60
(Wallace 9-11-60, Hood 0-1-0);

Ohio 15-33-157-td2x
(Dierkes 5-12-43-x, Smith 10-21-114-x).

Receiving:

West Virginia
(George 2-19, Yocum 1-7, Taylor 3-26, Bates 1-5, Kuhar 1-8, Ferguson 1-(-5);

Ohio
(Callarik 1-19, Nicholes 4-37, Rataiczak 1-1, Ricchetti 1-11, Spence 3-42, Wayt 1-9, Wiggins 1-16-td, Kimble 1-16, Thomas 2-6).

First Downs: West Virginia 12; Ohio 13.

Fumbles: West Virginia 1-0; Ohio 0-0

Penalties: West Virginia 5-25; Ohio 6-27.

Check out our Forums to talk about the game.

Paul Maholm, perhaps the Pirates best starter, gave up four runs in the second inning ultimately leading to the 5-3 loss yesterday. The Padre’s sent 8 men to the plate in the inning resulting in 8 hits.

The Pirates were denied a run in the first inning when Jose Tabata was called out at home, despite replay showing that he was clearly safe. The Pirates would score runs later in the ballgame in the fourth inning when Lasting Milledge hit a two run RBI single to shrink the lead to 4-2.

The Pirates would come within a run in the fifth inning after Jose Tabata’s sacrifice RBI narrowed the lead to 4-3, but were unable to tie the game after the Padre’s bullpen took over.

The Padre on the other hand added an insurance run in the seventh after Brendan Donnelly gave up a trio of lead off walks to start the inning.

The Pirates two game losing streak has put quite a damper on what was a strong post-all star break turn around. Though tonight was just one game it puts pressure on the coaches to try to recreate the magic they started a week ago.

Davis, whose Hilltoppers have been fixtures in the NCAA Division II Top 20 poll during his tenure, has announced his first batch of recruits for the 2010-11 season and the seven-member class should fit right in with West Liberty’s winning tradition on the mat.

The seven newest Hilltoppers combined for more than 800 wins at the high school level and come to West Liberty with numerous conference, sectional, district, regional and state championships under their belts.

“We’re very happy with this group of incoming freshmen,” said Davis, who has produced multiple NCAA Division II All-Americans in each of the past three seasons. “Not only do they come to West Liberty with outstanding wrestling credentials, they also excelled in the classroom and are possessed of outstanding character.”

Following are brief capsules on the newest members of the Hilltopper mat squad:

Preston Foster – Projected to compete at 125 pounds, Foster compiled a 134-29 (.822) record during a stellar career at East Liverpool (Ohio) High School. Foster was the 2010 Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) champion at 119 pounds and also qualified for the Ohio Division II state tournament.

Art Hobley – Projected to compete at 141 pounds, Hobley posted an 84-31 (.730) career record during his time at Steubenville (Ohio) High School. Hobley won the 135-pound title at the 2010 OVAC Wrestling Championships and was also an Ohio Division II state qualifier.

Troy Huffmaster – Projected to compete at 125 pounds, Huffmaster went 97-36 (.729) during his varsity career at Huntington (W.Va.) High School. He was runner-up at 125 pounds in the 2010 West Virginia Class AAA state championship meet.

Nate Hupp – Projected to compete at 149 pounds, Hupp was 97-26 (.789) on the mat for Marietta (Ohio) High School. Hupp was an Ohio Division II state tournament qualifier.

Domenic Testa – Projected to compete at 149 pounds, Testa put together an 89-37 (.706) record for Hempfield Area (Pa.) High School. He was a WPIAL Class AAA sectional tournament runner-up and a district qualifier at 140 pounds.

Evan Thompson – Projected to compete at 157 pounds, Thompson compiled a dazzling 175-22 (.888) record during a record-setting career at Cabell Midland (W.Va.) High School. A four-year state tournament qualifier, Thompson was a combined 85-3 (.966) in his junior and senior seasons, capping both years with West Virginia Class AAA state championships.

Joe Wagstaff – Projected to compete at 125 pounds, Wagstaff assembled a 125-33 (.791) record for Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Fla. The 2009 Seminole Athletic Conference champion at 103 pounds, Hagerty also was a two-time District champion and Florida state tournament qualifier.

It seems hard to believe the same team that in the first half of the season averaged just three runs per game has averaged 8 runs since the All-Star break. But for a Buco team on a hot streak it was just another night at PNC.

Coming on the wake of the 11-run win last night the Pirates did it again tonight scoring 15 runs on 18 hits.

Pirates had big game from most of the lineup with the majority hitting over .400 in tonight’s game.

The Pirates were helped out by a six run fourth inning in which the Pirates batted around. A big part of that inning was a three run homer by Delwyn Young that put the Pirates ahead 8-3

Pedro Alvarez had another multi homerun game, as he belted another pair tonight. His two run shot in the fifth inning gave the Pirates a 10-3 advantage. He was not finished there, adding a solo homer in the eight off the right field foul pole. For a team sorely lacking a reliable power hitter Alvarez could be their long-term solution if he can keep this kind of production.

The Pirates continued to add at least a run in each of the final three innings scoring in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. The complete humiliation of the Brewers was due in most part to starter Randy Wolf who was allowed to pitch 5 and 2/3, and being charged with a career high 12 runs and 13 hits.

Pirates starter Zack Duke was helped out by tonight’s offensive explosion and earning his fourth win of the season. Duke, now 4-9, gave up three runs on six hits and striking out three in six innings of pitching.

Andrew McCutchen was kept out of the game again yesterday, as he is still trying to recover from an AC injury he suffered on Sunday. Delwin Young made his second appearance in the outfield to help fill the void.

Ryan Doumit who missed Tuesdays’ after taking a fowl tip off his facemask in Monday’s game was pulled in the third inning after colliding with Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks in the first inning. The collision at home gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead, but left Doumit with a concussion like symptoms. Because of the multiple incidents it is likely that he will be placed on the 15 day disabled list for precautionary measures.

The Pirates are now over .500 at home, 23-22, but still far from .500 overall at 34-60. In fact to get back to .500 the Pirates would have to win every game until August 18 or win every series, that is 2 out of every 3 and 3 out of 4, from now until the end of the season, which is a tall order even for a team that seems to be on a hot streak.

The opening session of the day will be an All-Skills Clinic for girls in grades 1-8 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Players in grades 9-12 are welcome for the afternoon and evening sessions. From 12:30-3:30 p.m., players can choose between setter training and outside hitter training. Right back training will also be covered in the setter clinic. The final session will run from 4-7 p.m. and allow players to choose between defense and middle hitter training. Instruction will also be given on developing a strong serve during the defense portion. On-court instruction will be given by Bethany head coach Courtney Kline, the 2009 PAC Coach of the Year, with other staff consisting of USAV club coaches, collegiate coaches and collegiate players.            

The cost of each session is $30, but any player choosing to participate in two clinics will receive a discounted rate of $25 per session.            

For more information, you can contact Head Coach Courtney Kline at 304-829-7165 or by e-mail at ckline@bethanywv.edu. You can also visit our web site at http://www.bethanywv.edu/athletics/varsity/volleyball and print out a registration form

After a half of season of subpar baseball in which the Pirates offense is often left sitting on the bench, the Pirates have put together back-to-back offensive extravaganzas. After the a 17 hit, 12 run game Saturday night the Pirates had a 19 hit, 9-0 blowout of the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Like last night the Pirates got hits from the core of their lineup. Everyone with the exception of the pitcher spot contributed in some major way to today’s win. Wither it was Ronny Cedeno who went 4 for 4 including two runs scored or Andrew McCutchen who went 1 for 4, but had a pair of RBIs in the sixth inning, everyone contributed to the win.

And though the Pirates stomped the Astros today 9-0, they score really didn’t do the game justice as they stranded a total of 20 men on base before the end of the eighth inning.

Sunday was also special as they allowed Paul Maholm to pitch a complete game today, just the second of his career. Maholm allowed just three hits, but relied heavily on the Pirates fielding to get most of the outs yesterday.

Up until today the Pirates have not let anyone pitch a complete game due to strict 100-pitch maximum that pitching coach Joe Kerrigan had instituted. Maholm pitched just over 100 pitches Sunday, at 103, which is perhaps the biggest factor for his complete game win today.

One bit of bad news though; as Andrew McCutchen left the game in the eighth inning after suffering a mildly sprained AC join in his right shoulder. He has not yet been ruled out for tomorrow’s game, but will be reexamined before the game against Milwaukee at PNC Park,

A wild night in Pittsburgh as the Pirates won an offensive battle with the Houston Astros. On a night were the ballpark was sold out for the Fireworks after the game, Pirate fans were treated to some offensive fireworks during the game as well as they won the 12-6 blowout.

The Pirates got off to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning Garrrett Jones doubled to drive in Jose Tabata. Two batters later Lasting Milledge hit a two run RBI single to score both Walker and Jones.

For a team that averages less than 5 runs per game the three run first inning showed signs of great things to come.
The Pirates were on fire behind the plate combining for 12 runs on 17 hits. The Pirates scored runs in the first, second, fifth, sixth, and eighth innings. Every Pirate except Andrew McCutchen at the top of the lineup and the pitcher spot at the bottom drove in run in this game. In fact between the top and bottom spots of the lineup everyone hit at least .400 ball.

Truly amazing for a team that just yesterday was having trouble driving in even one run.

Even Erik Kratz, a catcher called up from the minors just yesterday, could do no wrong, going 2 for 5 including an RBI and a run scored.

The Pirates were helped out tonight as Houston committed two big errors that cost the team them a combined 5 runs, including three in the first and two runs in the sixth.
However, for every shootout there must be some bad pitching behind it. Starter Ross Olhendorf was no exception giving up four runs in just 1 and 2/3 innings pitched giving Houston a 4-3 lead in the second. D.J. Carrasco came in relief and had a little more success, but also had trouble keeping the Pirates lead allowing two runs in three innings pitching to give the Astros the lead again 6-5 in the fifth. Javire Lopez promptly ended the Houston comeback in the fifth before handing the ball over to the rest of the bullpen in the sixth.

The Pirates started the second half of the season much differently than they did the first half. The 5-2 loss at PNC park was filled with mistakes and very poorly played baseball. It was really difficult to watch as they were a rusty in their return.

Also it did not help that the Pirates faced the Houston Astros, a team they have yet to beat this season despite their below average record of 37-53.

Zack Duke returned from the disabled list yesterday and pitched for five complete innings. Duke did not struggle much, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out five. Duke was removed after 78 pitches in an effort not to overextend him too much.

However, the Astros would add runs off of D.J. Carrasco and Sean Gallagher in the sixth and seventh inning to reach their 5 run total.

And that was more than enough to ruin the Pirates who played the field as well as little leaguers tonight. High on the list of fundamental mistakes made tonight included a run down situation in the fourth when Duke caught Pence wandering to far of first. Instead of getting the out Pence was allowed to return to first after Shortstop Ronny Cedeno tried to outrun Pence rather than flipping the ball to Duke who was covering first.

And a close second came in the eight innings with the Pirates up to bat and the tying run at the plate, Andy LaRoche was caught wandering to far off second by the Astros catcher Humberto Quinterno. That is correct, the catcher caught the pitch and had enough time to pick off LaRoche 127 feet away. The airhead move ended the inning and any chance of a comeback.

The Pirates score just two run the entire night, including a sacrifice fly in the fourth by Neil Walker to score McCutchen and a RBI single by McCutchen to score Milledge in the eighth.

The Pirates will look to break their seven consecutive game losing streak as well as their seven game losing streak to the Astros tomorrow. With a lot of luck they might just do it too.