Photos by Jeff Serpa

Baseball:

Darren Murphy has compiled a Hall of Fame caliber career.

He’s won CIF-SS championships at both Northview and South Hills.

And on Thursday evening, Murphy won career game No. 500.

South Hills edged visiting La Mirada, 4-3, under the lights.

Christian Santoyo went 3 2/3 innings, and he was charged with two runs on two hits.

Santoyo walked four and struck out six.

Marc Morales got the final 10 outs.

He surrendered just an unearned run on four hits.

Morales did not issue a walk and registered five strikeouts.

Jesse Colon doubled and scored a pair of runs.

Ian Aguayo went 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Noah Rodriguez singled in a run.

Gavin Gomez walked and scored.

Zeno Park and Blake Barberena singled for LMHS.

Julian Pardinas went four innings, and he allowed all four in the bottom of the first inning to get stuck with the loss.

In all, Pardinas surrendered four hits, walked one and fanned four SHHS batters.

Paxton Czubek went 2-for-3, including a two-run double and he scored once.

Victor Merlos doubled in a run and scored.

Ayden Vieth went 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI single.

Diego Villarreal singled and scored.

Gabriel Guerrero was hit by pitch and scored.

Carson Baker and Wesley Manning singled in Thursday’s historic win.

There’s no real secret to the success so far for the Huskies.

In six games, they have a team ERA of 0.50.

Of the seven runs scored against them, only three were earned.

And the SHHS staff has a near 4-to-1 (57-15) strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Up next: The Huskies travel to Ayala on Tuesday at 3:30.

To view part 1 of Jeff Serpa’s photo galleries, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

To view part 2 of Jeff Serpa’s photo galleries, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

Lastly, I asked his current players three questions. 1) What was it like to be part of Coach Murphy’s 500th win? 2) What’s the most important thing he’s taught you? And 3) Why is South Hills off to such a great start?

Said Paxton Czubek: “Being a part of something that special for our coach and program is an amazing feeling. Personally, Coach Murphy has taught me to stay calm and relaxed at all times and how slow the game down. We’re rolling right now because of team chemistry. There is not a single ‘I guy’ on the whole team.”

Said Carson Baker: “It’s amazing being a part of Murph’s 500th. It’s just a privilege to be a part of the win and to have Murph as a coach. The most important thing he’s taught us is to be better people as long as being better baseball players. He’s taught us that life goes beyond baseball. We’re off to a great start because we have a really talented group that can handle playing in the big moment and under pressure. We’re really tight knit and we’ve got each other’s backs, and we have fun with each other.”

Said Christian Santoyo: “It feels amazing to be part of an amazing win. It will definitely be one that I will remember. There is no other game that will give me the amount of energy that this game gave me. The most important thing big Murph has taught me is to keep my composure and know everything happens for a reason, whether we like it or not. He’s taught me to control the controllables and just play my game. South Hills is off to such a great start because of the team chemistry we have, and the main reason why is because we are all after the same goal, and that is to bring a CIF ring back to the hills.”

Said Diego Villarreal: “It feels great to be a part of Coach Murphy’s 500th win. He has really taught me a lot in taking my game to the next level, as well as my teammates. I think the most important thing Coach has taught me is to stay calm in big situations. I believe our team is off to such a great start because we have lots of returners from last year’s season and we are all one family. We have each other’s backs. Also, we all have the mentality of being all in for South Hills.”

Said Ayden Vieth: “It was a great feeling to be there for our coach for such an amazing accomplishment and definitely a night to remember. The most important thing he’s taught us is to be all in for the team and to trust the process we have going over here at the hills. The reason we are off to such a great start is the brotherhood we have over here and the chemistry the whole squad has with each other. It’s definitely something special and a team to remember.”

Said Richie Soto: “It feels great to be a part his 500th. That’s a huge accomplishment and being a part of that feels great. It’s something I’ll always remember. Something he’s taught me is to always be calm when I’m playing. It doesn’t help to be too hyped or show too much emotion while playing. We’re off to a great start because of how close we are. We know how to win, and we do whatever it takes to do it.”

Quotable:

Dr. James Baker, father of Carson Baker: “Coach Murphy has had faith in Carson’s development since his freshman season. He’s provided the opportunities and the appropriate challenges to help Carson grow as a player, and as a young man. He’s never steered us wrong. In fact, Coach Murphy has looked after all the boys in ensuring they first and foremost have integrity and responsibility in living their lives in being the best student-athletes, and citizens, that they can be.”

Mt. SAC baseball coach, John Knott: “It is such a great accomplishment to get 500 wins. Darren has done a great job as a head coach both at Northview and now at South Hills. His teams have always been competitive, been at the top of the league and pushed to win a CIF championship. More than that, he has taken pride in getting to impact the players and be a positive impact in the community. I’m sure he has a few hundred more wins left in the tank, too.”

Box Score:
LM: 0-0-0-2-0-1-0-(3)
SH: 4-0-0-0-0-0-X-(4)

Win: Christian Santoyo
Loss: Julian Pardinas
Save: Marc Morales

2B: Jesse Colon (LM); Paxton Czubek (SH), Victor Merlos (SH)

Records: La Mirada (4-2); South Hills (6-0)