A match of softball philosophies end up together at Millersville
5/2/2019 9:00:00 AM | Softball, Features
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The student-athlete and coach relationship is generally forged through four years of practices, workouts, meetings, games and bus rides. But for Millersville softball's lone senior Maggie Murphy and head coach Jen Probst, the relationship goes all the way back to middle school.
Murphy and Probst first met at Probst's softball clinic while she was the head coach at Misericordia University. Murphy, at a young age of 12, enjoyed the clinic and wanted to even more instruction. There, Probst helped develop Murphy into the player who recently completed her 154-game career with a .270 average and eight homers.
"As time went on, my hard work with softball had paid off and I was getting looks from college coaches," said Murphy. "Coach Probst had recruited me to play for her at Misericordia University. I made the decision to attend Misericordia. Coach then received the opportunity to coach the softball team at Millersville University. As time went on, I realized Misericordia was not the right school for me, so I contacted Coach Probst. Here I am, four years later, surrounded by teammates who are more like family, and a coaching staff that has always believed in me."
Murphy came to Millersville for many reasons but No. 1 was the trust that she had in Probst. Murphy liked to swing hard and swing for the fences, and that was a match with Probst's hitting philosophy.
"When coach brought this mentality to the Millersville softball team I bought in whole heartedly," said Murphy. "Every swing I take I want to send the ball over the fence. With every pitcher I face, when I step into the batter's box, I know that with one swing I can send the ball over the fence. This reflects the homer un mentality that coach has brought to this team. My role is to help and encourage my teammates to embrace this home run mindset."
"Murphy has always been a big power hitter," said Probst. "I remember during the recruiting process, going to see her play tournament ball where she crushed a home run. Her skill set fit well with my coaching philosophy from day one."
After not playing much as a freshman, Murphy posted a batting average of .244 with 22 hits and 15 RBIs. The hard work and the swing paid off in her junior year. Murphy started in 37 games and hit .327 batting average with 37 hits and 23 RBIs. Murphy helped lead the team to its second conference tournament in four years. After adopting the new swing philosophy, Murphy hit eight homers and 17 doubles.
"My junior year was the season that Coach Probst began to introduce our new swing," said Murphy. "This took countless extra hours of additional hitting practice after our team practice, thousands of swings, and a strong and positive mindset. My main goal was to help my team win games in whatever way I could. It did not matter to me whether I struck out my last at bat or hit a home run. I was solely focused on the current pitch and what my job was for the team. I also had amazing teammates who supported me and believed in me the entire year, through my ups and downs. I believe with all of my heart that I would not have been the player I was without my amazing teammates."
After five seniors left due to graduation, Murphy had to develop new skills and transition into the full-time first baseman and a leader on the squad. She had to grow up fast in the role and led the team on and off the field.
"My junior year I was happy to have the opportunity to be in the DP position," said Murphy. "My only focus was my swing and how to help my team win games with my bat. Transitioning to first base allowed me to gratefully accept a new role on the team and become a leader on the field as well as in the batter's box."
"Even though last year she mostly was the DP, she never quit working on her fielding skills," said Probst. "This allowed her to step right into the first base role this year."
As a four-year member of the Marauders, Murphy has helped the team to a total of 93 wins for the second most successful four-year span in program history.
"Over the years I have been at Millersville, the teams have developed as a family," said Murphy. "Being a family, I believe, is one of the most important aspects of being a successful team. Family means trust; trust means success. Our team last year had many veteran leaders who helped the team become a true family."
"When I think about Murph's growth, it starts long before her career here," said Probst. "I was lucky enough to give her hitting lessons when she was a middle schooler. I knew then she would be a special player. I have seen during her time here, her grow from shy and quiet to an energetic leader."
While improving her swing, Murphy pursued a dual major in early childhood and special education. Murphy finished the fall semester with a 3.44 cumulative GPA. Murphy will be a three-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete at the time of graduation.
"Being a student-athlete is a very difficult task to balance at times," said Murphy. "I take my education very seriously and push myself each semester to be the best student as well and the best athlete I could be. This meant many late nights at the library and homework sessions at almost every spare moment I have. Proper time management is an important part of being a student-athlete, which I sometimes struggle with."
Her goal after graduation is to make a positive impact in others' lives.
"This sport has helped me develop into a strong, confident, kind, grateful, and mentally tough person," said Murphy. "I also love the constant mindset of working hard and developing my skills. I love the pressure; I love being in the dugout and chanting the rain dance cheer. I love the sound the ball makes coming off my bat, the competition, the countless lessons, seeing my parents in the stands cheering me on. I love all friendships I have developed over the years. Softball has given me so many hilarious and beautiful memories that I will cherish and love for the rest of my life."
Murphy and Probst first met at Probst's softball clinic while she was the head coach at Misericordia University. Murphy, at a young age of 12, enjoyed the clinic and wanted to even more instruction. There, Probst helped develop Murphy into the player who recently completed her 154-game career with a .270 average and eight homers.
"As time went on, my hard work with softball had paid off and I was getting looks from college coaches," said Murphy. "Coach Probst had recruited me to play for her at Misericordia University. I made the decision to attend Misericordia. Coach then received the opportunity to coach the softball team at Millersville University. As time went on, I realized Misericordia was not the right school for me, so I contacted Coach Probst. Here I am, four years later, surrounded by teammates who are more like family, and a coaching staff that has always believed in me."
Murphy came to Millersville for many reasons but No. 1 was the trust that she had in Probst. Murphy liked to swing hard and swing for the fences, and that was a match with Probst's hitting philosophy.
"When coach brought this mentality to the Millersville softball team I bought in whole heartedly," said Murphy. "Every swing I take I want to send the ball over the fence. With every pitcher I face, when I step into the batter's box, I know that with one swing I can send the ball over the fence. This reflects the homer un mentality that coach has brought to this team. My role is to help and encourage my teammates to embrace this home run mindset."
"Murphy has always been a big power hitter," said Probst. "I remember during the recruiting process, going to see her play tournament ball where she crushed a home run. Her skill set fit well with my coaching philosophy from day one."
After not playing much as a freshman, Murphy posted a batting average of .244 with 22 hits and 15 RBIs. The hard work and the swing paid off in her junior year. Murphy started in 37 games and hit .327 batting average with 37 hits and 23 RBIs. Murphy helped lead the team to its second conference tournament in four years. After adopting the new swing philosophy, Murphy hit eight homers and 17 doubles.
"My junior year was the season that Coach Probst began to introduce our new swing," said Murphy. "This took countless extra hours of additional hitting practice after our team practice, thousands of swings, and a strong and positive mindset. My main goal was to help my team win games in whatever way I could. It did not matter to me whether I struck out my last at bat or hit a home run. I was solely focused on the current pitch and what my job was for the team. I also had amazing teammates who supported me and believed in me the entire year, through my ups and downs. I believe with all of my heart that I would not have been the player I was without my amazing teammates."
After five seniors left due to graduation, Murphy had to develop new skills and transition into the full-time first baseman and a leader on the squad. She had to grow up fast in the role and led the team on and off the field.
"My junior year I was happy to have the opportunity to be in the DP position," said Murphy. "My only focus was my swing and how to help my team win games with my bat. Transitioning to first base allowed me to gratefully accept a new role on the team and become a leader on the field as well as in the batter's box."
"Even though last year she mostly was the DP, she never quit working on her fielding skills," said Probst. "This allowed her to step right into the first base role this year."
As a four-year member of the Marauders, Murphy has helped the team to a total of 93 wins for the second most successful four-year span in program history.
"Over the years I have been at Millersville, the teams have developed as a family," said Murphy. "Being a family, I believe, is one of the most important aspects of being a successful team. Family means trust; trust means success. Our team last year had many veteran leaders who helped the team become a true family."
"When I think about Murph's growth, it starts long before her career here," said Probst. "I was lucky enough to give her hitting lessons when she was a middle schooler. I knew then she would be a special player. I have seen during her time here, her grow from shy and quiet to an energetic leader."
While improving her swing, Murphy pursued a dual major in early childhood and special education. Murphy finished the fall semester with a 3.44 cumulative GPA. Murphy will be a three-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete at the time of graduation.
"Being a student-athlete is a very difficult task to balance at times," said Murphy. "I take my education very seriously and push myself each semester to be the best student as well and the best athlete I could be. This meant many late nights at the library and homework sessions at almost every spare moment I have. Proper time management is an important part of being a student-athlete, which I sometimes struggle with."
Her goal after graduation is to make a positive impact in others' lives.
"This sport has helped me develop into a strong, confident, kind, grateful, and mentally tough person," said Murphy. "I also love the constant mindset of working hard and developing my skills. I love the pressure; I love being in the dugout and chanting the rain dance cheer. I love the sound the ball makes coming off my bat, the competition, the countless lessons, seeing my parents in the stands cheering me on. I love all friendships I have developed over the years. Softball has given me so many hilarious and beautiful memories that I will cherish and love for the rest of my life."
Players Mentioned
1B
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