Prep baseball roundup: Anthony Murphy vs. Striker Pence matchup produces excitement
Corona rallies for 9-7 win over Corona Santiago in Big VIII League game.
Two future high major-league draft picks, Anthony Murphy of Corona and Striker Pence of Corona Santiago, showed off their talents Wednesday. Corona rallied for a 9-7 victory. Pence, who touched 99 mph, struck out Murphy for one of his six strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
He left the game with a 3-2 lead. Then Murphy hit a home run off Pence's replacement, Thomas Padilla, to tie the score. Murphy was on the mound in the seventh to strike out Pence and get the save.
Pence finished with two RBI singles. "Those are two amazing baseball players and what a treat for them to get after it," Corona coach Andy Wise said. The two attended middle school together.
Murphy, a senior center fielder, is shaping up as a potential first-round pick. Pence, a sophomore, might reclassify to be eligible for the 2027 draft. Anthony Murphy’s home run courtesy his father.