Former WHS Catcher Murray Honored

On Sunday, the Union County Baseball Association honored four student athletes for their scholastic and on-the-field achievements. Among the recipients of the Chris Zusi Memorial Award for the two most outstanding athletes was former Westfield High School catcher Mike Murray.

An All-American and four-year varsity starter, Murray had a prolific career with the Blue Devils. He set 11 school records and Baseball America ranked him as one of the top 200 players in the class of 2006. Murray is now among the best college players as a member of the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons.

Murray committed to Wake Forest on June 2, 2005, a full year before graduating WHS.

"I came down for a camp in junior year of high school, and I knew it was the right place for me," he said. "I couldn't be happier with the decision I made."

"He had a chance to get drafted pretty high after high school," WHS head baseball coach Bob Brewster said. "Teams were contacting him in the fourth and fifth round, but they couldn't offer what Wake had."

Wake Forest competes in one of the toughest baseball conferences, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In conference play alone, the Demon Deacons will face five schools ranked in the preseason top 40.

So far Murray has done very well against the competition. Through three seasons he has a .270 average, 14 home runs and 89 RBI's. Last year Murray had his best season yet.

In 51 games, he hit .306 with six home runs and 37 RBIs. His RBI total and average were second and third highest on the team, respectively.

"He is a complete hitter who can hit for power and average," first-year Demon Deacon head coach Tom Walter said. "What will get him to the next level is his offensive game."

On defense Murray committed just two errors in 317 chances. Murray worked hard through high school and now college to become a much better catcher.

"His work was nonstop in practice," Brewster said of his high school days. "He also spent an awful lot of time working to get better during the summer. He was a pleasure to coach due to his unbelievable work ethic."

Last summer Murray played for the Chatham Anglers of the prestigious Cape Cod League. There he hit .347 and was All-Star Game starter, as well as an all-league selection.

"I had an unbelievable experience in the Cape League," Murray said. "It was definitely a challenge, and great to see how you match up with such a talented pool of kids. The game moves very fast there."

Making the transition from high school to college baseball was also challenging, but Murray knows WHS helped make the jump a bit easier.

"I felt when I got here I was extremely well prepared," he said. "I stepped right in and could grow into my position. Westfield has a really great developmental program to let me come to Wake Forest and contribute."

Still, there were many hurdles along the way during Murray's freshman season with the Demon Deacons. The demands of a full academic schedule combined with games, practices and strength training can be difficult for any student athlete.

"Mentally it's a bit harder because you have a rigorous class schedule, and then you're going on the road on the weekends," Murray said. "You really just have to go through it and make the adjustments after that."

Entering his final season at Wake Forest, there are high expectations for Murray as a team captain and No. 3 hitter in the lineup.

"He's going to need to drive in at least 50 runs, hit eight to 12 home runs and bat at least .300," Walter said. "Anything short of that would be a disappointment."

Walter is confident that if Murray does achieve those numbers or better, he will be not only an all-conference player, but also one of the top catchers in the country.

Major league scouts will be at plenty of Wake Forest's games this season to watch Murray. A strong 2010 campaign will bode well for his quest to reach the majors.

"Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to play professional baseball after college," Murray said.

Walter is confident Murray has what it takes to play baseball after college.

"He'll be a part of professional baseball," Walter said. "I don't think there's any question about that. He brings everything to the table."

If Murray is selected in the entry draft this June, he will sign with a minor league team and then try to work his way up to the majors.

"He's going to give it a shot and see what happens," Brewster said. "No matter where he goes, he'll be a hitter."

Murray is also applying to law school and eventually wants to get involved in the front office for a major league team. Regardless of Murray's tenure as a ball player, he is preparing to stay in the baseball community.