With no outs and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth against Chatham, the game was in the hands of closer Steele Murdock (UC San Diego). Whether or not the Birds continued their six-game winning streak would soon be decided.

Fortunately for Orleans, Murdock got the job done. Inching past the Anglers 2–1 at Veterans Field, the Birds keep their spot atop the East Division Standings.

While that game-deciding pressure may get the best of some pitchers, for Murdock, it only motivated him.

“Bases loaded, no outs, you gotta perform,” Murdock said. “The pressure is fun for me. It turns it into more of a competitive atmosphere and gets my juices flowing a little bit more.”

And the Birds’ pitching staff has taken center stage in recent games. Allowing just four runs in the past five games, Orleans is heating up.

After clinching a spot in the playoffs, the wheels are turning for the Birds at exactly the right time.

“It means a lot for the team, especially already making the playoffs, it’s good to put another win on the record,” Kyle Johnson (Virginia) said.

Sitting at fifth in the CCBL East Standings earlier in the month, Orleans has made a statement, especially on the road.

The league-leading Birds are 12–5–2 on the road while just 9–10 at Eldredge Park this season. While this has improved in recent games, with the Birds taking their last three consecutive home games, the trend is prominent.

And it was apparent on Friday night against the Anglers.

It didn’t take long for Orleans to get on the board. In fact, the Birds’ only two runs of the night came before the bottom of the first rolled around.

Off Kaden Smith’s (Texas Christian) first pitch, Tyler Myatt (Tennessee) made it clear exactly why he was selected as the Junior College Player of the Year before recently committing to be a Vol.

Doubling on a fly ball to left field, Myatt came out explosive early for Orleans.

Reaching on a throwing error on the next play, Alejandro Garza (Cal Poly) got on base, while Myatt managed to get to the opposite corner.

Inching toward home, waiting for a hit, Myatt’s wishes would soon be delivered.

Thanks to an Anthony Potestio (UC San Diego) RBI, Myatt ran home—bringing the Birds their first run of the night.

After notching the game-winning homer last night, Dawson Bryce (Charlotte) carried a similar tempo against Orleans’ rivals.

Off the Birds’ second RBI of the night, Bryce’s hit scored Garza, as Orleans took a 2–0 edge.

The Anglers didn’t go down without a fight, though in the second inning. Off a Johnson pitch, Reed Stallman (Mississippi State) sent a double beyond the reach of center fielder Javar Williams (Wake Forest).

Isaiah Lane (San Diego) took the torch next in Chatham’s hitting frenzy, with his own line drive single to left field.

Soon enough, the Anglers cut the Birds’ lead in half off a Trace Mazon (Coastal Carolina) RBI. But Johnson took no time to cap off the inning, sending Jake Hanley (Indiana) back to the dugout.

All eyes were on Orleans’ defense again in the bottom of the fourth, when Lane grounded into a double play. Kai Wagner (Northern Colorado) led the charge for the Birds, sending the ball to Garza at second, who swiftly launched it back to Bryce at first.

Just like that, both Stallman and Lane were sent back to the dugout almost as quickly as they got on base.

Chatham’s offense brought it down to the wire in the bottom of the ninth. After a Lane single, a Mazon walk, and an intentional Hanley walk, the Birds put all their trust in Murdock to come up big.

Clocking in at 97 mph, Murdock did just that, as designated hitter Cade Arrambide (Louisiana State) struck out swinging and prevented further innings.

Back at Eldredge Park tomorrow night against the Harbor Hawks, Orleans seeks to stretch their winning-streak to seven.

Given the team’s recent success, the spirits remain high going into next week.

“This league and the playoffs is just about getting hot at the right time,” Murdock said. “I think we got a shot to take this pretty far in the playoffs.”