Gaston College's Brantleigh Parrott named first team All-American

Gaston College's softball continues to set history as freshman standout pitcher/outfielder Brantleigh Parrott was named first team 2023 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American.

A 2021 Central Cabarrus High graduate from Concord, Parrott was a key pitcher, hitter and fielder for the Rhinos' run to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series after the team won a Region 10 regular season and tournament title and NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District championship in their first year as an official team.

Parrott finished with a 24-1 record, six saves, 0.55 ERA and 305 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings in 36 appearances (18 starts) this season as a pitcher. And she hit .465 with two home runs, 58 RBIs and 20 stolen bases as a hitter.

Parrott led all NJCAA Division I pitchers in ERA and strikeouts and was 12th in victories and her ERA was first among all NJCAA pitchers (Division I, II and III) and her strikeout total was second among all NJCAA pitchers.

At the plate, she was first in Region 10 in RBIs and third in batting average.

Her lone pitching loss came in the opening round of the NJCAA World Series when eventual champion Florida SouthWestern rallied in the late innings for a 5-2 victory; Florida SouthWestern would go on to win its third straight title.

The only Region 10 honoree on the Division I All-American team, Parrott also earned the distinction of the "Joan Joyce Utility/Pitcher" award.

Joyce is considered one of the greatest female athletes of all-time as she toured nationally with the Raybestos Brackettes and Orange Lionettes softball teams from 1954 to 1975 in addition to playing for the U.S. Women's National Basketball team in 1964 and 1965 and competing on the LPGA Tour from 1977 to 1995.

Later a college softball and golf coach at Florida Atlantic University, Joyce died on at 81 on March 26, 2022.

Parrott's honor makes her the second All-American in Gaston College athletic history - and the initial first team selection.

Last season, Konni Durschlag was a third team All-American baseball selection by thejbb.net website.