Bulls Continue to Excel in Summer Leagues
7/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BUFFALO, NY - Highlighted by Tom Murphy's stint with the United State's Collegiate National team, the Buffalo baseball team has been well represented this summer in leagues across the country.
Murphy took part in six games with the collegiate national team, getting five at-bats as a pinch hitter and designated hitter. At the conclusion of the five-game series against Japan, Murphy returned to his New England Collegiate Baseball League squad, the Holyoke Blue Sox. In his first day back, Murphy hit his first home run of his NECBL season to lead his team to a 5-2 win over Keene. Now batting .271, Murphy is slugging .458 with eight extra-base hits and 10 runs batted in over 16 games.
Fellow Bull Cameron Copping is also experiencing a great deal of success in the NECBL, recently earning Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance on the mound for the North Adams SteepleCats. Copping earned the win in a 3-0 shutout of Mystic, striking out eight and allowing just one walk and two singles in seven innings. He has been outstanding for North Adams, yielding only one run in 16.1 innings, good for a 0.55 earned run average. In two starts, Copping hasn't allowed a run yet, grabbing wins in both starts. He has also made two relief appearances and has struck out 15 while walking only six.
Out in the Prospects League of the Midwest, two Buffalo teammates are also experiencing success. Infielder Michael Burke was recently named to the All-Star team after putting together a terrific first half of the season. Playing for the Lorain County Ironmen, Burke is batting .310 with six extra-base hits and 17 runs batted in over 33 games. He ranks fifth in the league with 45 hits so far and leads the way with 145 at-bats.
On the mound for the Ironmen is fellow Bull Kevin Hughes. In his 45 innings so far this season, Hughes has a dominant 2.60 earned run average with 40 strikeouts and a 4-2 overall record. Though mainly a reliever for the Bulls in 2010-11, Hughes is making a strong case to become a starter in his senior year after making seven starts and not allowing more than three runs in any appearance.
Interested fans can follow the Bulls this summer at www.prospectleague.com and www.necbl.com.
