LEBANON — In a ceremony on Monday at Doc Adams Baseball Field, Lebanon shortstop Chance Parker signed to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
“I like that it’s close to home and my mom graduated from there and had a lot of good things to say about it,” Parker said. “Coach (Brandon) Costa reached out to me and it went from there.”
Parker has put together a tremendous senior campaign as the Pioneers head to the postseason.
“Chance has been great for us the last couple of years,” Lebanon coach Cody Compton said. “He played second base and this year we moved him over to short. As a hitter, he continues to improve. Last year he hit well, this year his stats speak for him.”
In the regular season, Parker hit .466 with a .546 on-base percentage and a 1.396 OPS in helping lead the Pioneers to the Southwest District regular season title.
Hitting at the top of the order with blazing speed he has six doubles, two triples, six homers, and 21 RBIs. Parker has scored 35 runs and stolen 26 bases.
“This year he decided he wanted to be a better hitter all-around,” stated Compton. “He’s hit more home runs and has a higher average.
“Chance works hard every day in practice and works hard in the weight room too. You can tell by looking at him, that he likes the weight room. I tell him he needs to lift with his legs occasionally along with his arms. If he’s not in the cage hitting, he’s out on the field taking ground balls.”
With great speed and athleticism, his game should transition well to the college level.
“I’ve told Chance, I believe he can play at any level he wants to play at,” Compton said. “It’s up to him. He just has so many intangibles. Chance has good velocity throwing across the infield, he hits the ball with pop. He will just have to continue to put in the work when he gets at Wise.”
It will be interesting to see where Parker plays for the Cavaliers. Although on the infield at Lebanon, he has the versatility to play anywhere.
“With his speed and arm, he could move to the outfield,” remarked Compton. “We’ve put him on the mound a little this year and I think he has hit 88 (mph) and he didn’t know what he was doing because it had been so long since he pitched.”
Parker will be playing at one of the nicer facilities in NCAA Division 2 college baseball. They resurfaced Burchell “Slew” Stallard Stadium prior to this season.
“They just got a new turf field,” Parker said. “They have a nice baseball facility and it’s a nice campus too. I’m excited, looking forward to four more years of baseball.”
Parker’s dad Rex Parker recently retired after 28 years as head girls’ basketball coach in Lebanon. Parker played basketball, but his heart was on the diamond.
“Baseball has always held a special place in my heart,” Chance said. “I’ve always had a love for baseball, it’s always been the thing that I like to do.
“I’ve put a lot of work in, countless hours in the cage. My whole high school career my dream has been to play at the next level. I love the game.”