ROCKINGHAM – Taylor Parrish, a senior on the Richmond Senior High School softball team, has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week.
Starting her 2019 softball season the same way she ended her junior campaign last spring, this is Parrish’s second career selection. She earned the recognition after hitting a grand slam in the Western Regional Finals in 2018, and was responsible for Richmond’s first home run this season against Anson High School. Her play through three games this season has proven pivotal to help the Lady Raiders to a 3-0 start.
Athletic Profile
Age: 18
Birthday: Nov. 17, 2000
Year: Senior
Spring Sport: Softball
Position: First Base/Pitcher
Years on Varsity: 3 Years
Height & Weight: 5-8, 170 pounds
Experience: 14 years
WHO’S ON FIRST WITH TAYLOR PARRISH
RSHS Academics: In her final semester at Richmond before she graduates, Parrish is taking three online courses at Richmond Community College, as well as enrolled in an interning program at Richmond County Hospice.
She’s taking Public Speaking, Macro Economics and Sociology at RichmondCC, and helps do the “odds and ends” jobs at Richmond County Hospice. Some of the things she’s helped with is baking cookies and folding clothes for patients.
“I really like being at Hospice,” Parrish shared. “I get to view the healthcare community, and I want to be a nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. So it’s a good way to learn some of the things I might be doing.”
Parrish currently has a 4.5333 overall GPA and is ranked 23rd in class of 2019. She’s an A honor roll student, who is involved in National Honor Society and Beta Club.
Future Plans: During her junior school year, Parrish verbally committed to continue her education and playing career at Pfeiffer University. She made it official on National Signing Day on Feb. 6, and was a third of Richmond’s senior class to commit to the college level.
She’ll join the Lady Falcons and head coach Monte Sherrill next fall as a pitcher. She plans on majoring in nursing.
“Knowing I’m going to Pfeiffer to play helps me with my confidence this season,” Parrish said. “There’s no pressure trying to find somewhere to go. It makes me more hopeful for how the season is going to go because I have experience. And I want to get better.”
Athlete of the Week Stats: Parrish ended her junior campaign with a bang, and picked right back up in Richmond’s season opener with a solo home run in her first at-bat over Anson High School. In Richmond’s two games last week, both wins over Purnell Swett High School, Parrish went a combined 2-for-7 with a pair of doubles and RBIs.
In the first game last Tuesday, an 8-1 victory, Parrish roped a double to the left field corner, scoring Savannah Lampley for the game’s first run. She followed up with a double after Lampley and Greyson Way hit homers in the bottom of the third in Thursday’s 8-3 win. Her second RBI came on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning.
Through three games this season, Parrish is leading Richmond in RBIs (6), and is second to Lampley in batting average (455). She plated four runs in the Anson win.
Parrish (3) crosses home plate after her first home run of the season against Anson High School.
RAPID FIRE – FAST RESPONSES
1) How is your senior season going so far? What are some personal goals for you?
“It’s going pretty well,” Parrish shared. “It’s early still, and I just want to have confidence, hit hard line drives and have a quality at-bat every time. We want to win a state championship, but some personal goals are to bat above .400 have some more home runs than last year.”
2) When you get to Pfeiffer, what are you looking forward to the most with softball and school?
“I’m looking forward to pitching and getting to hit as a pitcher,” Parrish said. “I’m excited about meeting new people and experiencing college in general.”
3) What has been the best thing about being part of the Lady Raider softball program the last four years?
“We always have fun and we’re a close-knit group,” Parrish explained. “We know each other so well and it’s been a fun ride. We’re all making memories together I won’t forget.”
Coach’s Corner: Head coach Wendy Wallace noted that Parrish’s bat has had some early pop this season, and has also flashed the leather at first base, a position that new to her this season.
“She hit a big grand slam for us last year at South Caldwell that put us ahead, and then she carried it over to her first at-bat this season with a home run,” Wallace said. “She’s already starting to get big hits in big situations. Her defense has been really good, and she’s made a couple of nice plays in the dirt at first.
“Taylor has always been a quiet person, but this year she’s stepped up to be more of a leader,” Wallace concluded. “She works just as hard as anyone out here and has made so many improvements over the summer.”
