By Bobby Narang
Owen Murphy’s place in Riverside-Brookfield High School baseball program history is set.
The senior pitcher and infielder is one of the best players in program history.
The University of Notre Dame recruit capped a stellar career by lifting the Bulldogs to the program’s first Class 4A regional championship along with a 30-victory season.
Riverside-Brookfield head coach Dallas Till called Murphy a once-in-a-lifetime player. Murphy was named the Illinois 2021-22 Gatorade Player of the Year.
“Owen’s a once-in-a-career kid,” Till said. “We’re honored to have Owen as part of our program. He left a legacy at our program and school. He’s the best player. Before him, we feel we had a good program, but because of what he’s done, he’s brought even more notoriety to our school and program. Because of him, we get more respect, when its comes from seedings and rankings.
“When you have a player of that magnitude, it opens eyes and people are always aware. He put us in the spotlight and helped others on the team get noticed by colleges.”
Murphy put up huge numbers in the recently-completed season after storming on to the scene following missing his entire sophomore season due to COVID.
In 36 games the 2022 season, Murphy pitched a perfect record at 9-0 with six complete games, including two perfect games and five shutouts. He fanned 137 of the 194 batters, allowed just 10 hits and walking three, to end with a 0.12 ERA. His 75-runs-batted-in season ranks second all-time in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history.
Murphy’s prodigious power often helped his own cause. He smacked 18 home runs and drove in 75 runs in 143 at-bats. He struck out just six times to finish with a 1.288 slugging percentage. “What he did in a short amount of time after he missed entire season and a third because of COVID is amazing,” Till said. “I kind of marveled at the fact he had so much pressure to perform. One game, against DePaul Prep, he had 60 (radar) guns on him. He acted like no one was there. I’ve been blessed with some pro-caliber players, but he’s solidified himself as the best player in R-B history. He’s earned that right.”
Murphy said he’s happy to finish his career with two great seasons, but he was more focused on building the program into a top team.
“It’s great what the team has done the last couple of years,” Murphy said. “It’s great to see kids tune into my career and hear that some more kids are playing baseball at Riverside-Brookfield because of what our team did. That means so much to me. It was fun signing autographs and great to always have big crowds come to our games and put up numbers and do it for the community.”
Murphy said baseball appeals to his personality, from the team aspect to the Summer and even playing games on July 4th.
“I’ve always loved baseball,” he said. “I’ve always wanted this. I never really had an epiphany moment that I realized I made it. I just kept playing baseball for the fun of it and succeeding. It’s been a fun ride.”