Senior pitcher/infielder Evan Snyder-Murphy has stayed patient while waiting for his opportunity at Evergreen Park.
Along with getting limited at-bats, Snyder-Murphy pitched in just one game last season. But he kept working hard to be ready. Now, as a senior, he’s getting a shot to be a vital member of the Mustangs’ pitching staff.
“It’s been great to get the opportunity on the mound and be able to show what I can do for the team and for everyone who’s out here to support me,” Snyder-Murphy said. “It’s a great privilege to have, overall, as a player.”
Snyder-Murphy made the most of his chance Saturday. In his first start of the spring, the right-hander threw five strong innings and allowed just one run as host Evergreen Park held on for a 3-2 win over Solorio.
Yarim Garcia went 2-for-2 with a double, a single, a sacrifice fly and a run to lead the offense for the Mustangs (9-1). Garcia also picked up the save, pitching the final two innings and allowing an unearned run.
Caleb Keyser doubled and scored a run for Evergreen Park, while Noah Munoz and Jack Rourke each had an RBI. Jaydiel Salgado came through with an RBI single for Solorio (1-6).
Snyder-Murphy retired the first 13 Sun Warriors to come to the plate, holding a perfect game with one out in the fifth inning before he allowed two walks — one intentional — and two hits.
He escaped with just one run allowed.
“Evan got ahead in counts and used that to his advantage,” Garcia said. “He really shut them down.”
Indeed, Snyder-Murphy felt the big key was simply maintaining his control.
“I got ahead in the counts and I started off each inning strong,” he said. “They always teach us to get ahead. Those leadoff walks are really killer, so you’ve got to start throwing strikes right away.”
Snyder-Murphy was making his third pitching appearance of the season following two successful relief appearances. He now has a 1.05 ERA.
Evergreen Park coach Andrew Massey is thrilled to see the senior leader flourish.
“It’s really exciting to see Evan get on the mound and have success,” Massey said. “He’s a guy who really works his butt off in the offseason in the weight room, at the complex.
“He’s finally getting a chance to show what he’s got, and he’s going to be a guy who gets a lot of innings for us and plays a big role on the mound.”
Evergreen Park jumped to a 3-0 lead Saturday before holding on late. Garcia, who is hitting .414 as the Mustangs’ leadoff batter, was the catalyst.
He led off the first inning with a single, stole second and third and then scored on Munoz’s fielder’s choice grounder. Garcia doubled to lead off the third but was stranded at third. He then produced a sacrifice fly as part of a two-run fourth.
“I just know I’m going to get fastballs early so I just look for that,” Garcia said. “I want to get on base and try to steal as many bases as possible.”
Snyder-Murphy took care of the rest. Massey sees him emerging as the go-to arm.
“That’s one thing about high school sports that I’m starting to realize,” Massey said. “Every year, there’s a senior or two, I don’t want to say come out of nowhere, but who really step up and fill a leadership role.
“It’s been really great to see ‘Murph’ and a couple other guys really step up as seniors.”
Snyder-Murphy has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old. He credits his grandfather, Russ Snyder, for inspiring him to stick with the sport.
“He’s always been a role model,” Snyder-Murphy said. “He really helped me find my love for the game and he’s always been a big supporter. He didn’t play baseball. He played football at Hubbard. But he’s always been there for me and I appreciate him every day.”
