Forced to the sidelines during one of the premier events, Marley Parker took full advantage.
A nagging elbow injury prompted the coaches of the Delta Heat 96 to tell their ace pitcher that she would be forced to watch from the sidelines at the Canadian Open Fastpitch championships, an annual showcase event held every July at Surrey鈥檚 Softball City.
鈥淪he was disappointed she couldn鈥檛 play, but at the same time, she understood,鈥� explained Heat coach Gord Collings.
鈥淎nd obviously it paid off because she came through so well for us at nationals, especially in the playoff round.鈥�
Collings was referring to Parker鈥檚 performance earlier this month at the U18 national fastpitch championships.
Buoyed by Parker鈥檚 dominance on the mound, the Heat went undefeated in .
It was the second national championship for the group in three years as they also captured the U16 title in 2012. And both times, Parker was named most valuable player.
鈥淭he season wasn鈥檛 going quite the way I wanted, so for everything to come together like it did at nationals was obviously great,鈥� Parker said.
鈥淚 was just able to figure some stuff out.鈥�
After hurting her elbow at provincials, Parker was kept out of the Heat鈥檚 lineup at the Canadian Open. She spent that time both resting and altering her pitching style to alleviate some pain in her elbow.
Parker went back to a previous pitching style she had used and was dominant at nationals, especially in the playoff round.
In those three games, she had an earned run average of 0.96. She also struck out 14 batters.
And now comes the next chapter in Parker鈥檚 athletic exploits as she left earlier this week for Alcorn State University in Mississippi.
The 18-year-old 鈥� who graduated from Walnut Grove Secondary this past year 鈥� is on a full-ride athletic scholarship for the women鈥檚 softball team. She will also be joining the Lady Braves鈥� volleyball team.
Softball is her main sport, but she also enjoys volleyball. Parker, a left-side/power hitter, played just at the high school level with the Gators as she didn鈥檛 have time to play at the club level.
And the fact she will be a two-sport athlete at university doesn鈥檛 surprise Collings.
鈥淪he is a tremendous athlete and very committed,鈥� he said.
Parker鈥檚 success comes from her skill set and her determination.
鈥淲hen she gets in there, she is not deterred by what the situation is, what the count is, or whatever,鈥� he said.
鈥淪he just goes after (the batter) and gives it her all.鈥�
Parker, who plans to study health sciences, said earning a scholarship was one goal, and playing for the Canadian national team is another.
鈥淚f that was in the cards, I would love that,鈥� she said.
