Murray hit gives Lisle win in 8 innings

Lisle ended what has been an extraordinary regular season with a cardiac 6-5 Interstate Eight Conference win in eight innings over Wilmington on Thursday afternoon in Lisle.

It was the bottom of the eighth on senior day when outfielder Parker Murray stepped up to the plate with a chance to win the game.

“I want this, I want this bad,” Murray said to himself as he dug into the batter’s box.

With the count full Murray lined the ball up the middle, pushing the winning run across for the Lions.

It was a victory fueled by the team’s perseverance.

The senior had already tied the game in the seventh with a clutch two-run single that scored Adam Grego and Kazim Khan and finished the day a sharp 4-for-4 at the plate and 3 RBI. The Lions (31-5) were able to come from behind twice behind Murray and a 14-hit offensive attack.

“We went out there and it was senior day so we had a lot of motivation to perform,” Murray said after the game.

On the mound Khan held down the fort for 6 innings, striking out five and allowing one earned run on four hits.

After the game Lisle coach Pete Meyer was very pleased with his team’s performance.

“Oh, man, incredible,” Meyer said. “What I liked is we hit the ball hard the whole game. That’s as thrilling a game as you’ll see. Getting big hits when it matters most. A 30-win season is a great year.”

The team now shifts its focus squarely on the postseason.

“I was telling the guys, the real season starts now 0-0,” Meyer said.