Towson University Athletics

2024: All-CAA Honorable Mention … batted .336 with 40 runs scored, six home runs and a team-leading 41 RBIs in 54 starts … finished the season with multiple hits in 11 of his last 13 games, batting .545 (30-for-55) with 13 runs, five home runs and 18 RBIs during that stretch … had a career-high four RBIs vs. Wofford (3-for-5) to open the season … tossed 2.0 innings over three pitching appearances, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits … led the team with 10 multi-RBI games.

2023: Made 54 appearances (51 starts) at second base, shortstop and pitcher... batted .215 with seven doubles, four homers and 23 RBI... notched an 0-1 record with a 5.63 ERA and seven strikeouts in 8.0 innings over six appearances... went 8-8 on stolen base opportunities... named to the CAA Academic Honor Roll.

2022: Team's main second baseman, also serving as a pitcher, playing in 45 games with 44 starts... hit .236 with 23 runs, two home runs and 12 RBI... on the mound, pitched in six games with a start, having four scoreless relief appearances and striking out five... in first appearance for Towson, hit 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and three RBI at #25 Miami (2/18)... had three multi-hit days in four contests, capped by a 2-for-4 contest at UNCG (3/6) with a home run and two RBI... six-game hitting streak towards the end of the season, including two doubles and a run scored in a 2-for-3 afternoon at Northeastern (4/30)... member of the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.

BEFORE TOWSON: Spent 2021 season at Radford University... appeared in one game, starting at third base vs. High Point (4/23), going 1-for-2 with a run scored.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduate of The Miller School... played baseball at Riverdale Baptist, being part of the top-ranked team in the country during the 2017-18 season... hit .302 plus had a 0.25 ERA in 25 innings in junior season.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in business administration... son of James and Kristy Payton... cousin of Towson grad and longtime NFL offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod... cousin of Justin Anderson, six-year veteran in the NBA.