Payton Springfield and Tyler Murphy have grown up together playing baseball.
The New Hope High School seniors started their journeys when they were 4 years old in Propst Park in Columbus. Through the years, their love for the game of baseball brought them closer together and helped them become mainstays for the Trojans.
Despite being close to his friend, Springfield couldn’t persuade Murphy to wear a bow tie like he did Thursday to celebrate the next step in their baseball careers.
“He is not really a fashion guy,” said Springfield, who sported a red bow tie with a white dress shirt. “I just got a little more swag than him.”
Springfield took the advice of his mother, who suggested he could “rock” a bow tie a little more than a regular tie. He said he couldn’t convince Murphy to do the same for the signing ceremony that made their commitments to play baseball at Itawamba Community College in Fulton official.
Even tough Springfield couldn’t get Murphy, who wore a blue pattern dress shirt, to wear a bow tie, he said he is happy they both will move on together. He said it wasn’t necessarily the plan, but it became apparent it would turn out that way after they both enjoyed their visit to the school and liked what they heard from ICC coach Rick Collier.
Murphy said he knew back in July he wanted to go to ICC after he visited the school. He said Springfield went to ICC before he did and told him about it. Murphy then discovered ICC was “everything” Springfield said and more.
New Hope High coach Lee Boyd said both players love baseball and have worked hard through the years and in the offseason to improve.
Springfield and Murphy played integral roles last season to help New Hope (29-7) advance to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State title series, where it lost to Vancleave. Springfield was 7-3 with a 4.28 earned run average in 14 games (13 starts). He allowed 77 hits and 39 walks in 72 innings. He struck out 84.
Springfield, who also plays in the outfield, hit .302 with 19 runs, 32 hits, and seven doubles. He was second on the team with five home runs. He led the Trojans with 45 RBIs.
“I think last year offensively was a breakout year for him,” Boyd said. “We didn’t quite know what we were going to get from him at the plate. He had some power numbers there.”
Springfield’s performance at the plate came after he hit .238 (five hits and three RBIs) in 2017. Still, he showed he was ready to play a key role on the pitching staff as a sophomore by going 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 13 games (seven starts). He also had three saves.
Springfield said extra work in the batting cages helped him have a bigger impact on offense. He said he is looking forward to pitching, playing in the outfield, and hitting in college.
“I am glad (coach Collier) gave me this opportunity, and I won’t let him down, either,” Springfield said. “I had a few other people looking at me, but I didn’t think they would offer me what coach Collier did and ICC did.”
Murphy also has contributed in multiple roles. At the plate, he hit .363 our of the No. 2 spot in the order and tied for the team lead with 48 runs and 11 doubles. He also was third on the team with 41 hits. Murphy added 19 RBIs and two home runs. On the mound, Murphy was 2-1 with a 6.51 ERA. He allowed 18 hits and 26 walks in 23 2/3 innings. He struck out 19.
“Murphy throws the ball hard,” Boyd said. “He has a good breaking ball. When he gets a little more consistent on the mound, he is liable to be tough.”
Said Murphy, who tore the labrum in his right shoulder, “I like pitching a lot. I think I can be very effective if I command my stuff and get it there.” Murphy, a left-hander, said he expects to be cleared at the end of November.
Both players said they liked the fact Collier said they will have opportunities to earn playing time in a variety of roles and positions.
Leading up to this season, Boyd said he is considering using Murphy, who also plays in the outfield and at first base, in the leadoff position in the batting order. He said Murphy’s consistency at the plate and good baserunning skills could make him a great fit to start the Trojans’ attack.
“He has really good hand-eye coordination,” Boyd said. “He doesn’t strike out a whole lot, and he is an unbelievably good two-strike hitter, so he puts the ball in play and his on-base percentage is really high.”
Springfield said it has been a “blessing” to have played with Murphy for as long as he has and for what he hopes will be the next two years at ICC. He said he has learned Murphy is a “laid-back guy” who is immune to suggestions for wardrobes accessories.
“He will do anything for the team, as I would, but he is just not a fashion guy,” Springfield said. “He is just Murphy.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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