Following his team’s 3-1 upset win over top-seeded Liberty in the semifinals of the EPC tournament, emotionally exhausted, coach TJ Murphy threw out a three word question to anyone who doubted that the Bears could defeat the powerhouse Hurricanes.

“Why not us?”

That question was been certainly answered as the Bears propelled themselves into the championship game.

PV’s victory was commandeered from the mound. Zach Walters pitched a complete game gem, allowing just one unearned run in the home seventh. He scattered nine hits, walked three and struck out one. His defense turned two double plays, none bigger than a one out, bases loaded twin killing started by shortstop, Nathan Loch, who stepped on second for a force and fired to first baseman, Jack Smale to end the home sixth.

What made Walter’s masterpiece even more impressive is that the 18-2 Hurricanes had scored 50 runs in their previous five games.

“My team was all behind me,” said Walters, who was ahead in the count throughout most of the game. “The first pitch strike is huge; It takes away some of their confidence.”

Walters, who goes by the nickname, “Big Country,” threw his entire repertoire of two seam fastballs, curveballs, sliders, and change-ups to keep Liberty’s hard hitters off balance. The Hurricanes’ two through five hitters were a combined 3-13 against the big righthander. The only hitter he couldn’t solve was leadoff hitter, Brayden D’Amico who went 4-for-4 with two of the bunt variety.

“Zach was amazing,” said Murphy. “He has the heart of a lion when he steps across the lines.

The Bears (14-4) scored a run in the top of the first. Loch reached on an infield error. After a fly out, Brandon Ratti slammed a booming double into the left centerfield gap scoring Loch from first.

Nursing a 1-0 lead into the top of the fourth, Smale led off the inning with a double to left center. Andrew Meitzler lined a single to center to score a run. Jake Gethen hit into a force out, but a throwing error plated the Bears’ third run.

Murphy twice had his bullpen humming, but despite Liberty mounting a rally in the seventh with two singles from their first three hitters, he never made a visit to the mound.

“I just felt it in my gut to stick with Zach.”

Speaking to his team before the game about facing the one-loss Hurricanes, who had defeated the Bears 5-3 earlier this month, Murphy took any extra pressure that a big game usually brings upon an underdog.

“They put their baseball shoes on just like us,” he said. “We were playing with house money and we were expected to lose.”