FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University softball rookie Emily Murphy/Virginia Beach has been named this week’s Longwood Female Athlete of the Week for her performance in the squad’s last eight games. The freshman standout went 10-21 for a .476 batting average, helping to propel the Lancers to a 7-1 record. She added 15 RBI, nine walks, six runs and two multiple-base hits, as well. Her finest game of the week was the team’s series opener at Winthrop, in which she hit a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI and two runs. In the Winthrop series finale, she also logged four RBI, this time with her first-career grand slam. Over the eight-game period, Murphy recorded a .613 on base percentage and a .667 slugging percentage, as well.
Question and Answer Session with Emily Murphy and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk about how it feels to start as a freshman.
EM: It feels good. I worked hard for it. It’s a lot of pressure though since I don’t want to make a mistake or anything.
AR: Do you feel comfortable in the position?
EM: Yes, I do. Jordan (Cox), who is a senior, is at third base and she helps me stay comfortable and talks to me during games.
AR: Do you find yourself getting a lot of advice from the older players?
EM: Yes, sometimes during practice they will say things to me. Mostly Jordan helps me, like when there is a ground ball, she might tell me to cut it off this way or maybe do a three step move.
AR: Did you know coming in that you would be able to contribute with your bat so early on?
EM: I wasn’t sure at first. The first game I was nervous, but since we’ve been playing I’ve gotten more comfortable.
AR: Do you see any difference in the pitching at this level?
EM: There is more movement. In high school the pitches were just straight in, so it is a little different.
AR: Where is your ‘sweet spot’ to hit a ball?
EM: High, kind of inside.
AR: Why did you choose Longwood?
EM: I liked the small campus. At first I wanted to go to a big school, but when I came here on my visit, I liked the smaller campus because everybody knows everybody. Also I knew the softball program was good and that was a big part of my decision.
AR: What is your favorite place on campus so far?
EM: Lancer Field, our softball field.
AR: Do you have any role models?
EM: Mr. Hehl, he helped me get prepared for training. I worked with him since seventh grade every summer. I think he really helped me get prepared for everything.
AR: What are your goals for yourself and the team?
EM: To work hard and keep winning. We want to win the Big South. I want to keep my hitting the way it is.
AR: What did you think of the first-ever Big South Series at Winthrop?
EM: It was really exciting. At first it was nerve-wracking, but once we got going it was really exciting.
AR: What is your favorite thing about the Longwood Softball team?
EM: I like that it is a small team. We always have fun.
AR: Do you have any hobbies?
EM: I used to play basketball back in high school.
AR: What is your major?
EM: Therapeutic Recreation.
AR: Who is your favorite athlete?
EM: I like Derek Jeter.
