High School Baseball:
Highland Surprises Millville

Monday, April 13, 1998

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

This was a classic example of the unexpected. Millville, considered one of the top teams in South Jersey High School baseball, visited Highland on Monday. Highland's starting pitcher Joe Ruple held returning star seniors Steve Setser and Jim Rhubart of Millville in check. Ruple pitched a complete game and had four strikeouts in the non-league 10-2 victory. Neil Tannabaum and Mike Murphy both had 3 hits each for Highland.

Joe Ruple got through the 1st five batters of the game with no damage made to the scoreboard. Ruple would score the first run of the game on a two run single by Mike Murphy. Neil Tannabaum also scored on Murphy's single to complete a 3 run first inning lead. But it was the fourth inning when Highland put the game out of reach. They would bat around and score four more runs. Tannabaum would hit his second consecutive triple for an RBI and he would score on Murphy's double to left.

When the game was completed, Mike Murphy would go 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 5 RBIs. Not to be out done, Neil Tannabaum also went 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored, 2 triples and an RBI. Highland would show that they could compete with any team as long as they continued good pitching with big scoring innings.