By Sean Duncan

When defending Class 4A state champion New Trier dropped its sixth straight game earlier in the season, you can bet no one was feeling sorry for the perennial state powerhouse, nor was coach Mike Napoleon receiving any sympathy cards.

But hold on, before you stick that fork into the belly of the Trevians, just know that Thursday’s performance was, in a word, dominant. And it all stemmed from senior right-hander Connor Murphy’s lights-out effort in leading New Trier to a convincing 8-1 Central Suburban South victory over conference-leader Glenbrook South.  

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Murphy, who was making his second start of the season, carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed only two infield singles in six innings work. Behind an 86-88 mph fastball, a hard-biting curveball and a fading changeup, Murphy (2-0) struck out eight, walked two and hit two batters. The Titans (9-6, 3-1), who were on a five-game winning streak, didn’t reach second base until the fifth inning, and the only run they scored was unearned.

“He was dominant,” said Napoleon, whose team improved to 6-8 and 2-3 in the Central Suburban South. “That’s back-to-back great performances for Connor.”

In Murphy’s first start against neighborhood rival Loyola, he allowed only two hits and one earned run in six innings. Murphy’s secret to his success on Thursday was simple, he said.

“I was throwing fastballs and they weren’t catching up,” said Murphy, who recently committed to Denison. “I just felt good – and they bailed me out by swinging at some curveballs in the dirt.”

It also helped Murphy that the Trevians erupted for five runs on five hits in the first inning. Junior first baseman Eric West delivered a pair of two-run doubles in the game, the first coming in the opening frame. Gordie Campbell (2-for-4, two runs) and junior second baseman Eddie Fay each had run-scoring singles in the first, and junior Charlie McGuire added an RBI double in the inning as well.

“I liked our aggressiveness at the plate,” said Napoleon. “We came out swinging the bats a lot better.”

Junior outfielder Charlie Tilson, who is committed to the University of Illinois, went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. The left-handed hitting Tilson ran an impressive 4.17 home-to-first time in his only out. Tilson also closed out the seventh by retiring the side in order to split the two-game series with Glenbrook South.

Despite their slow start, the Trevians look to be getting back on track. In the last week they’ve beaten Sandburg, Loyola and now Glenbrook South.

“One thing [the losing streak] has done is it’s made us appreciate winning and the game of baseball,” Napoleon said. “Never take winning for granted. … You find out how tough these kids are mentally. We have some great seniors, and they’re working hard every day.”

Game Note: The Invisible Man and the mysterious Roni Taco were at the game. Their presence, I am sure, had something to do with New Trier’s strong performance.