Murray Has Solid Showing Against Olympic Teams
July 09, 2008 | Softball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Rising junior Christine Murray, who was selected to play for Team Ontario against four Olympic teams in a tournament recently, had a solid showing.
Murray played in two of the four games. She saw time in the circle in the first game of the tournament against the Australian Olympic Team on July 1 and then again in the third game of the tournament.
Murray tossed a few innings against the Australian team and the third game of the tournament again against Australia. During her time in the circle, Murray struck out one while also tossing one scoreless inning.
"It was such a great experience to be able to play against some of the top ranked teams and players in the world," Murray said. "I was thrilled to have struck out at least one Olympic player and pitch a full inning without giving up a run.
"Each city had good-sized crowds, which was fun to play in front of. It was also fun to not only watch the talent the Olympic players have, but also to face it. The Australian third baseman was one of the best offensive players I've ever faced. She had three homeruns against three different Ontario pitchers in the first game.
"It was amazing how selective they were with the pitches and anything close to a strike they usually hit. It was an experience I'll never forget."
Team Ontario was selected just prior to the tournament and had never played together. Murray, a native of Ontario, compiled an 8-7 record during her sophomore season with the Bulldogs, helping the team knock off Lipscomb, the A-Sun's No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
Her 7.46 strikeouts per seven innings from the 2008 season are a school record. Murray currently holds the all-time record for strikeouts per seven innings pitched (minimum of 75 innings pitched) by fanning 8.21 batters per seven frames.
Murray and the rest of the Bulldogs will begin their first
season in the Big South in 2009.
