For the second time this summer, an area baseball standout has been called up to the major leagues for his debut.
Former Riverside-Brookfield star Owen Murphy was recalled by the Atlanta Braves on July 6 and made his MLB debut that night against the New York Mets.
The 22-year-old was one strike away from getting out of a 10th-inning jam but gave up a two-run double to Luis Torrens as the Braves fell 7-6. Murphy was sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett the next day.
Before the game, he told reporters, “It’s crazy, it’s awesome, I’m so excited to be here.”
On June 25, Marist graduate Jack Brannigan was called up by Pittsburgh and sent back to the minors the next day before getting a chance to play.
Murphy was selected in the first round of the 2022 draft and was the 20th pick overall.
He has pitched 81 minor-league innings with Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett this season, going 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA in 16 games, all starts.
Fire report
Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers and defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi are on the roster for the MLS All-Star Game, to be played at 7 p.m. July 29 at FC’s Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The MLS stars will face all-stars from the LIGA MX league.
Cuypers has 13 goals in 11 matches for the Fire, who return from the World Cup break at 7:30 p.m. July 16 against Vancouver at Soldier Field. Polish star Robert Lewandowski is expected to make his Fire debut.
The Fire II shut out Red Bull New York II 3-0 on July 12 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Jason Shokalook had two goals in the first half for the Fire II (6-5-6-3, 27 points) and Dean Boltz scored a minute into stoppage time.
The Fire II travels to North Carolina to play Crown Legacy at 4:30 p.m. July 18.
Evergreen Park at it again
The Evergreen Park Little League girls softball all-stars, who finished second in the nation at the 14U Junior League Softball World Series in 2025, are ready to make a splash at the 16U level.
The team won the Illinois Senior League state championship June 11, beating Illinois Valley 5-1 and 10-0 at Yukich Park in Evergreen Park.
EP opens regional play July 21 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
Sports bits
Aiden McGovern, Luke Arroyo, William Houston and Matt Devoy combined for a no-hitter as the Palos Coyotes Post 1993 team beat the Duckbobbers 7-0 on July 9 in a Crestwood Collegiate League game.
- Mother McAuley’s volleyball team will host Loyola at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 in its first outdoor match in Chicago. The GCAC match will take place at the school’s lighted turf field.