Paine College and Murphy Auto Group host HBCU Baseball Classic at SRP Park

Paine College hosted the 4^th Annual HBCU Baseball Classic at SRP Park on Sunday, facing Morris College in a double header sponsored by the Murphy Auto Group in partnership with the Augusta GreenJackets. The event honors the legacy and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the importance of education and athletics in developing tomorrow’s leaders. 

“Giving back to the community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Mike Murphy, owner of Murphy Auto Group. “Most people know how baseball helped my family transition out of poverty and we want to help pay it forward to the next generation.” 

Although the doubleheader got off to a late start due to the late arrival of umpires, it was a beautiful day for baseball and fans were rewarded for their patience with two exciting games between two very good baseball teams. 

Prior to the twin bill, 10 local high school players competed in a Home Run Derby, with Harris Bachelder, a senior at Greenbrier winning the inaugural event. 

“We are extremely excited to partner with Mike and his team at Murphy Auto Group in hosting this event,” said Augusta GreenJackets General Manager Brandon Greene. “It has grown each year, and we know with the continuing support of the community, it will grow even stronger.”

Paine College began in 1883, when a Charter of Incorporation for The Paine Institute was granted, and classes began in January 1984 in rented quarters located on Broad Street in downtown Augusta. In 1886, the College moved to its present site on 15th Street in Augusta. 

Morris College, located in Sumter, S.C., was founded in 1908, initially as a grade school, high school, and college. The college is named after the Reverend Frank Morris because of his outstanding leadership throughout the African American community of South Carolina.