Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Millersville, Pa. - 64 pitches to perfection. That's all Millersville sophomore Chris Murphy needed to fire the first perfect game in school history and just the 18th in Division II since 1957 Friday in a 2-0 win over Clarion. Murphy, who threw a no-hitter against Glenville State only three weeks ago, is the first Marauder to throw two no-hitters in the same season.

Murphy (5-1) was truly masterful Friday afternoon, causing pitching coach Bob Preli to shake his head in amazement and hold up his pitch counter, showing only two digits: 6-4.

"In all my years of coaching baseball, I've never seen someone throw a complete game with that few pitches," said Preli.

Murphy pounded the strikezone for 52 strikes, and it was perfectly clear in the first inning that something special was about to happen. He struck out the first three batters on 12 pitches--11 of which were strikes. Murphy struck out six in the game, and his last caused his teammates to sprint from the dugouts and their positions on the field to mob him on the mound.

"It really set the tone for me today," said Murphy. "All of my mechanics were smooth. Everything (was working). I felt great in the bullpen, felt great on the mound. The fastball and slider were really working today and a few times I threw my splitter and it really came through for me too."

The defense behind him was just as sparkling. The infield recorded 12 outs at first base, and only four balls were hit into the air--three of which reached the outfield. The only drama came in the sixth when Ben Thomas hit a high fly into a stiff breeze blowing in from center field. With outfielders Jeff Heisey and Mark Stuckey and infielders Tyler Orris and Evan King converging on the ball, Stuckey cut in front of Heisey at the last moment and plucked it out of the air to preserve perfection.

"I can't say enough about the infield today," said Murphy. "They really played great. The wind blowing in really helps on the pop-ups. Not as many strikeouts but I'll take a quick game over a strikeout-filled game any day."

Millersville's bats did just enough to score the team's 13th win of the season. Caleb McGary (0-3) surrendered only six hits and three walks. Millersville pushed its first run over the plate in the second when King singled home Tyler McDonald. The Marauders added some cushion in the sixth when Heisey scored from second on a throwing error.

The last perfect game thrown by a Division II pitcher came on March 13, 2009 when Stone Hill's Matt Giusti blanked Assumption. The last PSAC pitcher to perform the feat was Bloomsburg's Sean Holden against Southern New Hampshire on March 4, 1999.

"It's pretty cool," said Murphy. It's something I can say that I've done. It's a real honor."

Lost in the brilliance of Murphy's gem was another dominating performance by Tim Mayza in Millersville's 7-0 game one victory. Mayza allowed only two hits and hit one batter in a complete-game shutout. Mayza has not allowed an earned run over his last 20 innings and has surrendered only three all season, giving him a 0.70 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched.

Clarion's first batter doubled into the the left field corner, but Mayza escaped the inning with three consecutive ground outs. Mayza faced just one over the minimum the rest of the way. Clarion led off with a single in the fourth but the inning was ended on a nifty double play by King.

The Marauder lineup broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third on a RBI single from King. McDonald and Orris each singled in a run and King drew a bases loaded walk to put three on the board in the fourth. Zach Stone, who recorded a hit in both games to push his htiting streak to 18 games, slammed a solo home run over the left field wall in the fifth.

Not only has Stone hit safely in 18 in a row, he's also reached base in every game this season. He now stands five games shy of Mike Van Gavree's school record hit streak of 23.

McDonald went 3-for-3 with three runs scored in game one and finished the day with four hits and four runs.

Millersville improved to 13-5 with the doubleheader sweep.

The Marauders return to action Friday, March 22 with a home doubleheader against Indiana (Pa.).