From Zip to Zilch

7/05/2007 – Daily News Record

A.M. Chatter Written by Brent Johnson Garrett Parker is aware of the statistic, but it doesn’t seem to excite him. After all, he’s still kind of new to this whole pitching thing. Though he’s only been a pitcher since September, Parker has a zero ERA in 10 innings as a reliever with the Harrisonburg Turks this summer. asked if it’s surprising how someone with such little experience on the mound could baffle so many Valley Baseball League batters, the Howard (Texas) College right-hander was nonchalent. "I guess it would be," Park said via phone Wednesday from the home of Turks coach Bob Wease who was hosting a team barbeque. "I just kind of go out there. Whatever happens happens. It’s been working for me so far." Parker was originally a catcher, but said he couldn’t hit well. so, his coaches at Howard suggested he switch to the mound. "I had always been able to throw a little bit," the 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore said. "But I never thought I could pitch." The result? Parker went 3-1 with two saves this spring, working as Howard’s closer for the first half of the season and as a starter the second half. With the Turks, the Duncanville, Texas, native is 2-0 with one save in seven appearances. He has allowed five hits and six walks, while striking out 13. Opposing batters are hitting just .147 against him. And Parker has accomplished all this using mostly a fastball, he said, though he occasionally throws a slider that he calls "hit and miss". "He’s just a very good pitcher," Wease said. "He throws strikes. He throws 93-95 miles per hour. That’s pretty hard to hit."