Murphy – The weather was perfect Saturday for the second annual Peyton’s Home Run Derby for Peyton Mixon and family.
The event was planned, organized and hosted by Ralson Hogsed and Mason Lovingood. When Lovingood found out his best friend Hogsed’s cousin, Peyton, was born with GM1 Gangliosidosis, a rare, incurable genetic disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and saw how hard the news was for his best friend, he knew they needed to do something to help.
This is what inspired the first event in 2025, which completed its second year on World Rare Disease Day. Last year, the boys were able to raise $10,500, and this year they have met and surpassed their goal.
First place was won by Payton McCracken, one of Hogsed and Lovingood’s favorite people. McCracken’s fun fact for his turn at bat was, “Mason and Ralston are my best friends.”
McCracken was a senior when Lovingood and Hogsed were playing 8U baseball. The boys always thought he was the coolest and loved attending his games, as McCracken always took time to show the boys attention in return.
He would come to the boys’ baseball games and cheer them on, and their friendships have grown ever since. If the boys need McCracken, they know they can call him, and he will show up. Their families love that the two have such a positive role model in their lives.
Second place was won by Zach Hogsed, while third place was taken by Carter Adams. Both boys are varsity high school baseball players. Everyone involved in Peyton’s Home Run Derby wants to express gratitude to the Murphy High School varsity baseball program.
The players were the first ones to show up on the day of the event and spent their entire Saturday supporting the cause. All three grand prize winners donated their winnings back to help support Mixon and her family.
Hogsed and Lovingood want to express their gratitude to all of the sponsors who helped to make this event possible. The food and beverage sponsors for the 2026 event were Rib Country, Downtown Pizza Co., Pizza Hut, Lakeview Tavern, Hiawassee Family Restaurant and Freedom Boat Club, which held a raffle for a free membership. The full amount of each raffle ticket went toward Peyton’s Home Run Derby.
Other sponsors include Ameriprise Financial, Davis Designs and Brittany Davis who created the shirts for the event, Julie’s Place, Legends Steakhouse, TriState Forestry Mulching, Mountain Vale Lodge, EcoLawns Unlimited, Gray Matters Boutique, Mixon’s Lawn & Landscape, Rambling Rose, Pepsi, Howard’s Bait & Tackle, Narrative Bookstore, Heifer & Bull, Shawna Burch, Pops Mountain Top, Kephart Outdoors, Nothing But Beds, Wayne’s Feed Store, Austin Kesselburg, Wells Tire, Cherokee Guns, Interstate Welding, Mariolino’s, Marketplace Antiques, Murphy Building Supply, Mark Muir, Niki Roberson, Art Amos, Mickie Amos, Jarrod Penland, Blake & Kelly Ritz, Tiffany Cook, Aerian Rayburn, Carol & Jimmy Mixon, Elaine Lambert, Savannah Hardin, Pat & Wayne Price, Trenton Cook, Ann & Paul Price, Madison Martin, Roots Salon and Kary McClure.
They also want to thank all of the volunteers who helped to make the event run smoothly. Trenton Cook for being the emcee for the event; American Idol contestant Braden Rumfelt for singing the national anthem; McCracken and Annie Kate Dalton for pitching to the softball players; volunteers who worked in the concession stand; and the kids who helped shag hit balls.
In addition, Brittany David, Niki Roberson, Amanda Abernathy, Trenton Abernathy and Lindsay Campana for helping with planning and staying to help for the entire event; Kelci Coker, Hawkins and Justin Coker for helping to set up early in the morning; Mark Muir and Murphy High athletics for the pitching machines; Katina Zenobi for taking photos; and every other person who helped to make the event possible.