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James signs with BMC By BARRY BURLESON
Editor  | Photo by Danny McKenzie
Newest Topper
Parker
James, who helped lead Marshall Academy to a 27-7 season, signed a
baseball scholarship with Blue Mountain College. With James are
(seated) his sister Kayla and mother Shelly James; and (standing) BMC
coach Curt Fowler, MA coach Johnny Ray and James’ father Jody James. |
It was indeed a happy birthday for Parker James. The
standout pitcher and outfielder at Marshall Academy signed a baseball
grant-in-aid with Blue Mountain College on Monday, May 3. “He’s
worked hard, and he’s always wanted to play college baseball,” his
mother Shelly said before the signing ceremony in the MA library. “And
that’s what he got for his 18th birthday.” James, who helped lead
the Patriots to a record-tying 27-7 season, led MA in batting with a
.402 average and was successful on 24 of 25 stolen base attempts. As a
pitcher, James was 6-2 with a 1.30 earned run average, and racked up 57
strikeouts in 49 innings pitched. BMC coach Curt Fowler said James, 6-3 and 185 pounds, “has all the tools of a great ballplayer.” “He
comes from a great program where he played for Johnny Ray,” Fowler
said. “Parker has speed, a strong arm and good bat, and a great
attitude. He’ll see a lot of time both in the outfield and on the mound. “Parker loves to play the game and it shows every time he takes the field.” Coach
Ray said James, who was named the most valuable player in District 1-AA
and will play in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools
all-star game later this month, makes coaching enjoyable. “Parker
deserves every accolade he gets,” Ray said. “At the end of the day you
know that he has put everything he has into it. He’ll do well at Blue
Mountain College.” |
