Jarrod Parks Named Finalist For Cellular South Ferriss Trophy
Heading into the final weekend of league competition, Parks leads the Southeastern Conference in both batting average (.396) and on-base percentage (.538).
The other two finalists are senior outfielder Tyler Koelling (.374) and junior shortstop V.A. Vollmuth (.305), both from Southern Miss. The finalists were selected by a panel of 25 voters that includes collegiate coaches, Major League scouts and a media member.
MSU junior pitcher Caleb Reed of Cleveland, Miss., was among the other candidates receiving votes for the eighth annual award presentation.
"We are really proud of Jarrod for his accomplishments this year, especially when you consider how he has worked so hard to rebound from a painful season-ending injury last year," said MSU head baseball coach John Cohen. "When you consider his batting average, his on-base percentage and his defensive play this season, we believe he is a worthy candidate for the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy."
Ferriss, who starred on the mound for the Bulldogs in 1941 and 1942, will be in attendance at next Monday's presentation in Jackson. The Shaw, Miss., native is a member of the MSU, Delta State, Boston Red Sox and Mississippi sports halls of fame.
Parks prepped at Madison Central High School and later starred at Meridian Community College before signing with Mississippi State. He launched his MSU career as a corner infielder in 2009. Preseason back surgery sidelined Parks a year ago, but he returned to the lineup in 2011, where he has paced the SEC in hitting the second half of the season. He has hit safely in 43 of his 50 games, leading the Diamond Dogs in hits (67), runs scored (43), slugging percentage (.538), walks (36) and HBPs (17). He's also starred on defense at the hot corner, committing but four errors (.960) in 50 games.
The Bulldog third baseman is the fifth Mississippi State player to be named a finalist for the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy, joining Brad Corley (2004), Thomas Berkery (2006), Ed Easley (2007) and Connor Powers (2010). Both Berkery and Easley won the award.
Individual tickets for the trophy presentation buffet luncheon are $35 and available through the hosting Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1-800-280-3263). Proceeds from the event benefit the non-profit organization.