Parnell’s pitching potential leads to college offer

GRANITEQUARRY — Area baseball fans know East Rowan High senior Bobby Parnell as a third baseman.

But Charleston Southern University is betting that down the road, fans are going to know Parnell as a pitcher.

CSU, a Division I school that competes in the Big South Conference and takes on big-time folks like Georgia Tech and Florida, made Parnell a tremendous offer in the November early-signing period. He eagerly accepted.

“I’d thought about College of Charleston maybe, but never Charleston Southern,” said Parnell, a 6-foot-3, 160-pound stringbean, who has a cannon attached to his right shoulder. “But I talked to people and everyone said this is a good school and a great offer. I figure I’ve got this offer and it’s right here on the table. What was gonna be better if I waited until April?

“Nothing,” said Parnell, answering his own question.

Parnell’s package could include as much as $13,000 a year toward his education. That’s an exceptional amount, because colleges don’t have loose change to spare on a sport that’s rarely a revenue producer.

Parnell explained his deal includes $7,000 to play baseball, with an additional $4,000 kicking in if he can boost his already solid SAT score another 20 points. The remaining $2,000 falls under the category of work-study.

“It’s more than I’d hoped for. More than I ever expected to get,” said Parnell. “I know it’s a load off my family.”

Charleston Southern has informed Parnell he’ll get at least a look at third base, but it’s no secret it’s his pitching possibilities that have the Buccaneers worked up.

Parnell certainly has the long, loose frame to be a terrific hurler. He fanned nine in just five Rowan County American Legion innings last summer, but he actually threw less than a single college game in 2001. Even if you combine his spring as a Mustang and his summer with the Legion, he worked a not-so-grand total of 823 innings.

East coach Jeff Safrit and Rowan Legion coach Jim Gantt have always been fully aware of Parnell’s potential and have handed him occasional opportunities on the hill. But, generally speaking, he hasn’t seized the moment. And since both coaches have had a number of more polished options to turn to, that’s exactly what they’ve done.

The question everyone’s asking is how did this hot-corner kid suddenly become such a hot hurling prospect?

The answer is the traveling team Parnell played with this fall. Joining Legion teammates Nick Lefko, Jimbo Davis and Spencer Steedley, Parnell took regular turns on the mound.

“He threw 25 innings this fall,” said Safrit. “And two out of three were really good.”

Most pertinent to his immediate future, Parnell’s squad played in a tournament in Charleston. That’s where the Charleston Southern folks noticed the effect he was having on the radar guns pointed in his direction.

He threw 91 mph.

“I only pitched two innings down at Charleston and I don’t think I did a whole lot,” said Parnell.

He did enough. Other schools saw him and jumped on his bandwagon, as well. Lenoir-Rhyne, High Point, Belmont Abbey and Brevard expressed serious interest before Parnell inked with Charleston Southern.

Parnell turned in a solid 2001 high school season at third base, batting .310 and, at times, fielding brilliantly.

“He had a good year for me,” said Safrit. “He’s the tallest third baseman I’ve ever had. He gets to some hoppers and some line drives that are over the heads of most people.”

Parnell figures to play third and be a fixture in the Mustang lineup once again this spring.

But he’ll also get one last mound shot, even though Safrit is blessed with a stable of proven arms in Julian Sides, Jason Cauble, Jacob Cooper, Tyler Morgan and Steedley.

“Bobby’s velocity — it’s there,” said Safrit. “He could close games for us. This could be a good opportunity for him.”

That’s exactly what Parnell — who says his goals for 2002 are state titles in both high school and Legion ball — is thinking. Maybe it’s because Parnell’s dad is a firefighter, but he’d relish the opportunity to become baseball’s version of a fireman. He’d like to be that guy who takes the mound to extinguish rallies and finish off games.

To help transform his prodigious pitching potential into production, Parnell’s been working with Catawba pitching guru Sandy Moore.

“Mostly we work on keeping my feet balanced,” said Parnell. “Also on keeping my head in the game. I can’t let a walk effect me. I’ve got to be able to shake it off.”

If he can shake the walks, Safrit believes Parnell could shake things up at CSU.

“I think he’ll get a chance early,” said Safrit. “They gave him a nice package. And they only dress 32, so he won’t be a redshirt.”

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Parnell’s the third Mustang senior to commit to a Division I school in recent months, joining shortstop Cal Hayes Jr. (verbally committed to UNC) and catcher Drew Davis (who’s officially signed with Elon).

“I saw Drew in the hall the other day and he stopped to congratulate me,” said Parnell. “I congratulated him, too. Then he said, ‘Guess, I’ll see you on the mound.’ ”

Likely we’ll see at least two more Mustang college commitments before the year is out (Sides and outfielder Lefko). Not to mention Steedley, a two-way junior star and scholar, who will be a steaming commodity next November.

All these kids getting a chance to go to college and continue their baseball careers makes two points.

The first is obvious — East has a lot of people who can play baseball.

The second is not so obvious, but at least as important. Namely, East has a lot of players who are doing a good enough job in the classroom to qualify for scholarship offers.

Safrit confirms his squad turned in a 3.5 GPA last season, the best academic showing among all the baseball teams in the state.

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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com .