Wright State sophomore catcher Sean Murphy is following his incredible freshman season up with another good season as Murphy has been scoring runs frequently in recent games.
“He’s so gifted,” WSU head coach Greg Lovelady said. “He understands what the future is for him and that he has some expectations now.”
The Centerville High School graduate is second on the team with a .315 batting average this season.
“I started off slow,” Murphy said. “Coach helped me with a few adjustments and once you do that you start feeling it and get on a roll.”
In the last five games, Murphy has a .411 batting average with 4 runs scored and 4 RBIs. He has 214 put-outs on the season with a .992 fielding percentage.
“I take pride in my defense,” said Murphy. “As a catcher, you’re out there running the whole team. You’re dealing with the pitching staff and setting up the defense. I take pride in that stuff.”
Murphy had a .983 fielding percentage last season and was selected as the Horizon League Freshman of The Year. He collected 62 hits, scored 39 runs and drove in 35 RBIs. He had 17 multi-hit games and was also selected as Second Team All-League and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
“He’s so much stronger than he was a year ago,” Lovelady said. “His game has changed because of it. He doesn’t have to do as much in terms of generating power.”
In 2013, Murphy was the team captain and MVP for the Centerville Elks. In his senior year of high school, he hit .537 and was selected as an All-League and All-State player.
“I’m a local guy so I went to Wright State camps,” said Murphy. “It’s local and one of the few D1 offers I had. I really wanted to play D1 and I liked the program.”
Murphy also discussed how his relationship with the coaches attracted him.
“I had a relationship with the coaches going in,” he said. “I met Love in previous camps and when I was 17 I played summer ball for coach Parker who is now pitching coach.”
Murphy has 35 hits on the season with six doubles, two home runs and 18 RBI’s.
“He’s really locked in,” said Lovelady. “We need him to be him and nothing more.”
The Raiders were 22-10 through Sunday with a 10-4 record and second in the Horizon League.
