Up in the Nettleton Stadium press box, he was referred to as "The Stadium," in reference to the former San Diego Padres ballpark. On the field, Jack Murphy was a towering presence for the Chico State baseball team. A graduate transfer from Saint Mary's, Murphy spent his one season at Chico State patrolling right field and pounding baseballs, helping lead the Wildcats to a 34-15 record and second-place finish in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
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The Wildcat of the Week wrapped up his collegiate baseball career in spectacular fashion Wednesday in the opening round of the CCAA Tournament, going 5-for-5 with three runs scored. In doing so, Murphy raised his batting average to .356 and finished among the CCAA's top 10 in both categories. He ranked among Chico State's top five in nearly every offensive category and tied for the team lead with six home runs.
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Murphy's third hit Wednesday, a line single up the middle, was the 100th of his collegiate career. He also reached on a bunt single and scored in the first, blooped a single to left-center and scored in the third, ripped a base hit to right field in the seventh, and did the same in the ninth before coming around to score.
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The fourth member of his family to attend Chico State, Murphy is pursuing his graduate degree in wildlife management and boasts a grad school GPA of 3.62.Â
