Area sports briefs: Parnell to start Saturday

Published 12:00 am Friday, August 7, 2009

From staff reports
New York Mets right-hander Bobby Parnell (East Rowan) will start Saturday’s game against San Diego in place of Mike Pelfrey.
Pelfrey didn’t make the Mets’ trip to California, instead going home to Kansas to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
Manager Jerry Manuel stated that Parnell will be on a 60-75 pitch limit. The Mets already were discussing sending Parnell to winter ball to prepare to compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
– Rowan Rampage
The undefeated Rowan Rampage (4-0, 2-0) plays at home at Knox Middle School at 4 p.m. on Saturday against the High Point Ravens.
Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for ages 6-12. Anyone donating school supplies will receive a discount on tickets.
– Minor leagues
Jerry Sands (Catawba) doubled and scored the winning run in the eighth as Ogden defeated Idaho Falls 4-3 on Thursday.
* Pitcher Tim Smith (Catawba) was sent down from Savannah to Kingsport by the New York Mets earlier this week.
* Spencer Steedley (East Rowan) had a strong outing for New Britain on Thursday. Steedley worked 12/3 shutout innings, struck out three and finished off a 10-0 victory against Erie.
– Intimidators win
Kenny Williams drove in four runs as the Kannapolis Intimidators whipped West Virginia 12-2 at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday. Williams has reached safely in his last eight plate appearances. Josh Phegley homered for the Intimidators.
– Local golf
Eric Edwards competed in the AJGA All-Star event at Spring Creek in Virginia earlier this week.
He shot rounds of 77-75-75 รณ 227and tied for 30th.
– Hemric leads series
Daniel Hemric, a South Rowan graduate, leads the Bath Fitter Legends Car Pro division in the Summer Shootout Series at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
“In the Shootout you have the best competition and you’re racing against 40 or 50 of the best cars in the nation,” Hemric said. “It would be unbelievable to win the whole deal.”
Hemric, 18, leads by 152 points with nine of 10 races in the books. Hemric has won five races, each of which he has celebrated with a backflip from the roof of his car in Victory Lane.
“It’s just something I do to get the fans involved and excited,” Hemric said.
Outside of the Summer Shootout Series, Hemric has won 35 of the 52 races he’s entered this year. He has won races from Pennsylvania to Louisiana.
Hemric has over 100 feature wins in his career and won the 2008 Legends Car Pro division championship at Concord.
The 16th annual Summer Shootout Series continues Tuesday, Aug. 11, with Championship Night. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with feature racing starting at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $7 with ages 6-12 admitted for $3 and and kids under 6 free. Call 1-800-455-FANS for information.
– Prep volleyball
Salisbury’s new coach Kristina Spring is working hard to elevate the program and is spearheading fundraising efforts in order to help the team with equipment, etc.
The SHS volleyball team will hold a car wash this Saturday at O’Reilly Auto Parts at the corner of Fairson and Innes from 1-3 p.m. Coach Spring and the players would appreciate your support.