Kai Murphy sends a pick-off throw to first during his shutout win over Desert Ridge. (AzPreps365 photo)

After a so-so outing on the hill to begin Red Mountain's season 10 days ago, Kai Murphy has bounced back in a big way.

Murphy won his second consecutive start on Tuesday night -- both of the power-ranking variety -- in pitching the Mountain Lions to a 5-0 victory over Desert Ridge in a 6A non-region game at Red Mountain.

Red Mountain improved to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in power-ranking games. Desert Ridge dropped to 3-6 and 2-2 in power-ranking contests having been shutout in both their power-ranking losses. Desert Ridge had a tough day on the base paths with three runners picked off base (one off second). The Jaguars also had a runner doubled off second on a soft liner with two on and no outs in the seventh to dim any hint of a comeback.

Murphy, a junior left-hander and center fielder when not on the mound, scattered five hits, walked three and struck out seven in going the distance. He helped himself at the plate in the leadoff spot reaching base three times via a single, error and walk and drove in two runs. He also helped himself defensively picking off two base runners. He got a late start to baseball as he plays guard on the basketball team that played a couple playoff games before being eliminated on Feb. 17. His initial outing was just six days later.

Since that start, Murphy has thrown 13 innings, allowed an unearned run, 10 hits and fanned 12. His other win was a 4--1 triumph over Corona del Sol last week.

Red Mountain broke through for the game's first runs in the third inning after the first two innings passed quickly. Ryan Campos' double greeted Desert Ridge starter Branden Cohn and Sam Clow followed with an RBI single. Clow scored on Murphy's single to cap the rally and was the only player in the game with two hits.

The Mountain Lions added two more runs in the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Riley Pagel and Tyler Rice and a run-scoring single by Andrew Hayes. Murphy's bases-loaded walk on a 11-pitch at-bat in the sixth accounted for the final run.

Both schools have two more power-ranking games this week before embarking on spring break invitationals. Red Mountain hosts Valley Vista on Wednesday and visits Pinnacle on Friday. Desert Ridge plays two more road games -- Wednesday at Corona del Sol and Friday at Skyline. Red Mountain plays in the Boras Classic March 14-17 at Arcadia and Corona del Sol high schools while Desert Ridge competes March 10-14 in the Bob Everett Classic at Mesquite, Highland and Campo Verde high schools.