Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Monday, July 10, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: LILLY PARRISH
North Carolina-committed 2024 RHP/1B/3B Lilly Parrish recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Virginia Unity-Johnson/Ross, Hanover High, Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July, facing ourselves, mental toughness, North Carolina, pharmacy, English, Michael Jordan, “I’ll be Gone in the Dark,” Drake, “The Vampire Diaries,” “Mean Girls” and tongue tricks.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Lilly Parrish
Hometown: Mechanicsville, VA
High School: Hanover High
Club Team: Virginia Unity 16U-Johnson/Ross
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: RHP/1B/3B
Nickname: Lil or LillyP
Twitter/Instagram: @_lillyparrish
Honors: 2nd Team All-State (2023); and 1st Team All-Region (2023).
Travel Ball Fall Stats: Pitching — 51.2 IP, 57 Ks and 19 BBs.
High School Stats: Pitching — 45.2 IP, 106 Ks, 8 BBs, 0.15 ERA and .055 batting average against; Hitting — .354 AVG, .419 OBP and 15 RBI s.
Travel Ball Summer Stats (so far): Pitching — 26.1 IP, 27 Ks and 12 BBs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I joined Virginia Unity in 12U with Coach Josh (Johnson) after playing locally for two years and after playing against them and losing to them I knew that I would want to make a change from my previous team to join a team that wins. After one summer with the team, I knew I was in the right spot. It has been so much fun being a part of the extreme growth in this organization and seeing all the new people representing the U.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? I have been extremely lucky to be a part of a high school team like mine because of the extreme success that we have. Freshman year, I was a state runner-up, sophomore year a state champion and this past year a state semifinalist. We were also ranked in the top ten throughout the year by MaxPreps, which was super cool. This past year, I contributed to my team at third base and although I would rather be on the mound, it is always cool seeing different perspectives on the field.
Can you tell us about your recent experience at Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July? This year was only my second time going to Colorado, but it is 100 percent my favorite tournament of the year. It is the biggest tournament of the summer and the competition is always top tier. My team always has great experiences from sight seeing to just shopping and it is just so much fun. I also got to play in the International Challenge for Team Great Britain and that was hands down the most fun I have had playing the game. Even though we weren’t that great, I made some amazing friendships and we will be back next year for the gold!
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I think our toughest opponent is ourselves because we have the talent to beat anyone, but not being able to do the little things has cost us games.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? In my sophomore season of high school ball, we had a coaching change mid-season and I did not get the pitching time that I needed to be able to develop as a player. This was extremely tough mentally and my first weekend back in travel ball I threw more innings in one day then I did the entire season and it truly made me realize that I need to train harder and get better. At that point, I knew I couldn’t change the past and being able to work and overcome this situation instilled a lot of mental toughness inside me.
Why did you choose to commit to North Carolina? I committed to the University of North Carolina because of the family atmosphere and culture that the program has. UNC is also one of the most prestigious public universities and academics is something that always comes first in my family. Being close to home was another thing I always kept in the back of my mind during my recruitment process because my family does a lot for me and with UNC being only three hours away from home it was the perfect fit.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I really don’t know right now. Pharmacy is definitely an option because UNC has the #1 pharmacy program in the US, but I also want to explore careers in criminal justice and business.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject in school is probably English because I would rather read and write than learn history or science.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Michael Jordan because he was determined, honest with his teammates and hard-working. I feel like I share some of those qualities and I truly enjoy watching old clips of him dominating on the court.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book is probably “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” by Michelle McNamara because I love true crime.
What’s the best hype song and why? I think the best hype song is anything by Drake because he just doesn’t have a bad song.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “The Vampire Diaries” or “Dance Moms.” They are both so good.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is probably “Mean Girls” because it is iconic and funny.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can make a three-leaf clover with my tongue, lol.
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NEWS & NOTES
***The USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup (JO Cup) is Friday-Tuesday, July 7-11, at Lakeland/Winter Haven, FL. Turnin2-Pezz (18U) and Stars National-Coleman/Belfield (16U) are the defending champions.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The Triple Crown USA Nationals and the Triple Crown Southeast Nationals are Monday-Thursday, July 10-13, in Alpharetta/Cumming, GA.
OC Batbusters-Stith (18U), Warrior Academy-Jimenez (16U) and BSC Bengals-Briggs (16U) and Athletics Mercado 2025-Tidd (14U) are the Triple Crown USA Nationals defending champions.
The Triple Crown Southeast Nationals was last contested in 2020 and Tampa Mustangs-TJ (18U), AP Gold-Locke (16U) and Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 05-Rockey (14U) are the defending champions.
Follow the Tournament online HERE.
***The Triple Crown Southwest Nationals are Thursday-Monday, July 13-16, in Georgetown/Taylor/Austin, TX.
The Triple Crown Southwest Nationals were last contested in 2020 and Impact Gold-Jackson (18U), Hotshots Premier-Nelson (16U) and Hotshots Premier-Esparza (14U) are the defending champions.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
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HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
A 9 minute extended preview of #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy Vol. 3 has been released! Now available on Digital and VOD!
Via @Fandango#marvelstudios pic.twitter.com/eRynfYaUmE
— MCU Portal (@MCU_Portal) July 8, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Threads @los_stuff)
