Gaston College softball pitcher-outfielder gets national honor

Gaston College's second-year softball program earned its first national honor on Wednesday when Rhinos pitcher-outfielder Brantleigh Parrott was named National Junior College Athletic Association Division I pitcher of the week.

Parrott, a freshman from Concord who attended Central Cabarrus High School, went 4-0 with one save and 42 strikeouts in 19 2-3 innings while allowing eight hits, three walks and no runs last week as Gaston College went 5-1 in three doubleheaders.

Parrott becomes the second national honoree in school history as baseball pitcher Gus Hughes was named NJCAA Division II pitcher of the week on March 30, 2022 four days after he threw the first no-hitter in school history.

Also a centerfielder, Parrott also leads Gaston College in hitting (.552 average), RBIs (19) and triples (2) in addition to having a 6-0 overall pitching record with two saves with 76 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched while yielding 12 hits, 2 runs (0 earned) and 4 walks this season.

"We are excited for Brantleigh's hard work to be recognized nationally," said Rhinos coach Mike Steuerwald, whose team takes a 15-3 record into Friday's 1 p.m. doubleheader against USC Sumter. "She has been a big piece of our team success this year."