By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

The hard work paid off Thursday for the Cathedral High School pitcher.

Alongside teammate Andrew Beesley, the two seniors signed college scholarship papers with Parker signing with East Central Community College, and Beesley inked with Southwest Mississippi Community College.

“When I was 10 years old, I decided to be strictly a pitcher, and I haven’t picked up a bat since then,” Parker explained. “I haven’t really played other sports. I played soccer last year — but took off this year just so I could work out and get ready for the season. I spent all my summers and falls of my high school years just working. While everyone else was out partying, I was in the weight room.”

Last season, Beesley batted .476 to go along with 37 runs scored and 20 RBIs from his shortstop post. The Green Wave leadoff hitter, however, said he expects to play a different position when he steps on the McComb-based campus.

“They want me to play second base the first year, then move to shortstop,” he said. “But I’m just excited to be playing somewhere.”

Beesley said he chose Southwest due in large part to the school’s location and the attention the Bears’ coaching staff showed him during his recruitment.

“It wasn’t too close to home, but it wasn’t too far away, either,” Beesley said. “I liked the coaches, and I liked the atmosphere when I went up there. They were main the school that showed interest me, and they really acted like they wanted me there, and I didn’t want to go somewhere that didn’t show a lot of interest in me.”

Parker has amassed a 15-2 record the past two seasons to go along with a 2.23 ERA as a junior.

The lanky, right-handed hurler chose the Warriors over interest from Merdian and Copiah-Lincoln community colleges.

“(ECCC) just felt good, and it’s a good, central location,” Parker said of the Decatur campus. “I just loved it up there, and it felt like home. I really liked (ECCC head coach Neal) Holliman. They have a good staff, and they will have a lot of pitchers (graduating), so hopefully I can move in and step up next year.”

Cathedral baseball coach Craig Beesley said Thursday was a proud moment not only for the players, but also the Green Wave baseball program.

“We’re glad to see both Sam and Andrew play at the next level,” said Craig, who is Andrew’s father. “We’re looking forward to big things from them this year and in the future when they go off to college.”

With a 2015 state title under their belts, the two Cathedral standouts said they are hopeful they can add to an already memorable high school career.

“I’m going to remember the atmosphere and the fans — one of the best fanbases in high school baseball,” Andrew said. “To come here and win two state championships (a football state title in 2014), it’s just a great memory.”

Added Parker, “Cathedral is just family to me … To come here, when a state title and have another shot this year, it means a lot.”