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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A dream of playing college softball has been granted for Whitley Parks is now a reality. The senior Warren Central High School standout chose to continue her academic and athletic career at Belhaven University.
“I thought I was getting rid of softball, so when I got the opportunity to continue playing it was just too good to turn down,” Parks said. “I talked with one of the coaches a few weeks ago, and it went excellent.”
Becoming an athlete started at a young age for Parks as she participated in T-ball as a kid. She eventually moved on to play in the Vicksburg Girls Softball Association and travel ball before successfully making the Lady Vikes’ roster in her sophomore year.
As an underclassman, Parks’ name wasn’t called much, but her senior year became a new chapter as she swung her way to success. Not only did she increase her numbers from the previous year, but she also had the second-highest batting average on the team.
“Just having confidence in myself and gaining the opportunity to show what I could do had a lot to do with me getting better this year,” Parks added. “I took a lot of lessons, and it paid off.”
One of Parks’ best performances came from a district win against Ridgeland. She went 3 for 3 with three RBIs and three runs in the 21-0 win. She finished the year with a .324 batting average, 11 hits, and 15 RBIs.
Although most of her memories were created on the field, Whitley said that the bus rides were the best.
“The rides to those far games had to be my favorite, and they’ll forever be burned into my memory,” she said.
Parks spent the last few seasons playing under Head Coach Brian Ellis, where WC finished as the No. 2 team in the district.
“I think everyone had their opinion when he came in, but he’s my favorite from day one, and he put a lot of confidence and he also trusted me,” she said.
Whitley is the daughter of Teri and Tony Hynum, and she thanked her support system for sticking with her along the way.
“I want to thank my parents, grandparents, and softball family for everything over the years, and the people that I met during softball will be with me forever.”
Mississippi High School baseball coach dies at the age of 40
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