University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics

Sometimes a bond between two people is inseparable even when the two are not together. This could very well be the case between University of South Carolina Aiken softball standout Sydney Kate Murphy and her late grandfather, Patrick Sweeney.

The two had a special bond until his recent passing, yet it was not until Murphy was discussing the funeral with her family that she realized the two would be even closer.

“During the time we talked about the funeral, I learned he was a shortstop,” Murphy said. “After my freshman season, I talked to Coach Snyder about my role this year. I learned I needed to be a middle infielder/shortstop. I was confused on why he wanted me to play there as I never had before.

“I didn’t know what God’s plan was for me at that time,” Murphy stated. “As soon as I learned my grandfather was a shortstop, I knew there was a reason Coach Snyder wanted me at that position.”

Many grandchildren have a special connection with their grandparents, but Murphy was definitely blessed to have such a close tie to her grandfather.

“My family is very, very close,” Murphy said. “My grandfather supported me in all my sports growing up – basketball, softball and soccer – similar to every other grandchild he had. He and I shared something special. “He played baseball growing up and I played softball.”
 
My grandfather played baseball for years sand coached for 25 years at St. Rita’s School for the Deaf. Originally, he was hired as a teacher, football coach, baseball coach and basketball coach.
 
Sweeney didn’t just work at St. Rita’s School for the Deaf. He could not only relate to everyone there, but thrived in all facets of his life despite becoming deaf before the age of one.
 
Sweeney thrived in all facets of life, and didn’t just work at St. Rita’s School for the Deaf.  He related to everyone there because he became deaf before the age of one.

“Growing up, he played lots of sports, but baseball was his best. He played in college at Villa Madonna College (now Thomas Moore College).”

Sweeney did so well in college that he was offered a tryout with a Major League Baseball team, but his father did not want him to go. Seeing his son go off to a whole new life where the odds were stacked against him was too much for Sweeney’s father to take.

Sweeney altered his path and accepted a job and continued to teach for 47 years while coaching for most of his life as well.

On the diamond, Sweeney had amazing hand-eye coordination, which might have been attributed to his other senses becoming more in-tune with his body after losing his hearing.

“I know a little bit of sign language and could communicate some, but we always found ways to have a special bond,” Murphy said. “He always told me to keep my eye on the ball and watch it all the way into the glove.”

“I was able to see my grandfather all the time,” Murphy continued. “The whole side of my mom’s family always got together once a month. There were times we would go eat pizza with him and the rest of the family. I didn’t just see him – he lived 10 minutes down the road from us, so he was always around.”


On October 27, 2015, Sweeney had open-heart surgery to replace a valve.

“At that time, we stopped calling him ‘Paw Paw’ and started calling him ‘Superman,’” Murphy said. “Even everyone at the hospital knew him as ‘Superman’ because of how hard he fought.”
 
During Sweeney’s 8.5 week hospital stay, his blood pressure spiked, CPR had to be performed, and doctors were forced to repair his heart again.


“By the time Christmas came around, almost everyone in our family was home – and it was the first time everyone was home at one time in the last three years,” Murphy stated.

Despite battling hard, Sweeney ended up getting pneumonia and passed away Dec. 26.


With tears in her eyes, Murphy discussed how she would continue wearing her “Superman” underneath her jersey on game days this season.


Murphy, who is known for wearing hair bows while in the field, was recently given a “Superman” bow from her sister for her 20^th birthday.

“I want to remember him and play for him,” Murphy said. “I want to be able to represent my grandfather on the field and I will do so until my career is over with.”
 
Murphy, a 5-6 sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, is coming off a solid freshman campaign that saw her hit .283 with a pair of round-trippers and eight doubles while slugging .394.

With her grandfather able to watch over her, Murphy sports a .417 batting average and a .500 slugging percentage in the early going of her second season as a Pacer.

During her first at bat of the season, Murphy legged out an infield hit. She went two-for-three in the opener, but saved her heroics for the second game of the day. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and USC Aiken trailing by one, Murphy launched a pitch to left field, scoring the tying run in a game the Pacers would win in eight innings.

In a play reminiscent of her grandfather, Murphy helped the Pacers preserve the shutout against Claflin with her stellar defensive play. With the bases loaded and two away in the sixth inning, Murphy raced to her right, backhanded a ball destined for left field and gunned out a runner going to third base, ending the frame.
 
Gone, but never forgotten, Murphy is playing this season with a heavy heart. Just like her grandfather did, she has overcome obstacles in her way and has thrived during her time at USC Aiken. There is no doubt “Superman” is still alive in Sydney Kate Murphy.