Sunday was the ideal way for the Boyd family to cap a week.
Now maybe Lee Boyd and his wife, Allison, will be able to get a little more sleep.
At 7:10 a.m. Friday, Lee and his wife welcomed their second child, Brady Andrew Boyd, into the world. At 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long, Brady Andrew’s timing couldn’t have been any better, if only Mother Nature hadn’t stepped in that night and washed out the New Hope High School baseball team’s game against Hernando in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State title series at Trojan Field.
Rain and wet conditions Saturday pushed a game two start to Sunday, which New Hope won 5-0 to advance to face Pascagoula in the Class 5A State title series at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
The Trojans (25-8) will play for their first state title since 2003, and first with Boyd, a former pitcher at New Hope High, as head coach.
“It has been a special weekend for my family,” Boyd said. “We wanted to play Friday night. I was kind of looking forward to maybe playing and doing this Friday. I hoped we could win it and then I would have the weekend to spend with my family. Besides my nerves turning in the hospital a little bit and not being able to sleep as much as I would like to knowing this game is coming up, I got to spend two whole days with her, minus the practice time, and we tried to get this field ready a little bit (Saturday), but we spent a lot of time together. I plan on going there tonight when I get out of here, and a long time (today) at the hospital with those guys.”
Boyd said his daughter, Audrey Paige, was born the night of a division game, which is a little different than a North Half championship game. Either way, Boyd said he never would miss the birth of his son, which is why he and his wife scheduled Brady’s delivery for Friday morning in case the team made the state championship series.
After New Hope defeated Hernando 8-5 in game one Thursday night, Lee Boyd said he probably got about two hours of sleep and then straight to Baptist Memorial Hospital at 5:30 a.m. Less than two hours later, the Trojans had an addition to their baseball family.
“I didn’t get much sleep, but it was worth it,” Boyd said. “It was worth every bit of it.”
Boyd said his wife liked the name Brady Andrew, and that his son shares his middle name with him and his grandfather. As much as he would have liked to have played Friday, Boyd said the rainouts helped him get some of his energy back. He hates Allison missed seeing New Hope clinch a trip to Pearl, and that they would talk about her and their son making the trip to the state title series.
“She has been here every time, so I know she was getting updates on the game,” Boyd said. “She was there with me. She knew what was going on the whole time. She is going to give me a big hug and a kiss, I am sure, and tell me she is proud of me. I am looking forward to that.”
Boyd also is looking forward to spending more time with his son. If his daughter’s reaction is any indication, Brady Andrew will know just what to do when he sees his father.
“(Audrey) gave me a big hug after the game,” Boyd said. “It will tear your heart up when your little girl runs out after you win a big ballgame and screams, ‘Daddy,’ and gives you a big hug around your neck. It is the best feeling in the world. It is almost better than winning. I was tickled to death after that.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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