Monroe’s Ian Parmley in control
Published 11:04 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2008
STANWOOD — No one is going to mistake Ian Parmley for Justin Verlander any time soon.
Unlike Verlander — the Detroit Tigers’ hard-throwing pitcher whose fastball has been clocked at more than 100 mph — Parmley brings what some might call a crafty approach to the mound.
Here’s another word that describes Parmley’s pitching: Effective.
Parmley, a senior left-hander on the Monroe High School baseball team, opened with five scoreless innings and tossed a complete game in the Bearcats’ 4-2 victory over Stanwood Tuesday in a Western Conference North Division clash.
Parmley, whose fastball usually peaks in the low 80s, allowed seven hits while improving his season pitching record to 3-0. Often relying on a deceptive changeup, Parmley struck out three and had only one walk, helping Monroe improve to 3-0 in division and 6-1 overall.
“I don’t throw very hard,” said Parmley, who also had two singles and scored a run, “so control is everything I’ve got.”
His precision was more than enough for Monroe, which led 4-0 through five innings. Boosted by the solid defensive play of his teammates, Parmley battled crummy conditions and stayed unbeaten.
“He’s just got great control, and on a day like this when it’s wet and rainy it’s important to be efficient,” Monroe coach Neil Henderson said.
Catcher Doug Joyce smashed a two-run home run off Parmley in the sixth inning for Stanwood (2-1, 4-2).
The game was a matchup of two highly regarded squads. In The Herald’s Wesco North preseason coaches poll, Stanwood was picked to finish second and Monroe was third. The teams conclude their two-game series at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Marshall Field in Monroe.
By winning the series opener, Monroe made a statement, said Parmley. The Bearcats are off to a strong start after failing to make the playoffs in 2007.
“We’re so motivated. Seeing (The Herald’s coaches’ poll) saying we’re third — we’re not too happy with that. We’re coming out to prove a point,” Parmley said.
Defense, good and bad, was key for both teams. Monroe made only one error and completed rally-squashing double plays in the fifth and seventh innings. Meanwhile, Stanwood fielders committed six errors, including three miscues during Monroe’s two-run fourth inning.
“That’s kind of what it came down to today,” Stanwood coach Tony Wolden said. “They played good defense and we didn’t.”
Stanwood cut it to 4-2 when Joyce drilled a homer over the left-field fence and drove in Patrick Bliss, who got on base with a single. Parmley recovered though. Stanwood never got a runner past second base the rest of the way.
Said Parmley, “I had a big lead so that home run didn’t really mean anything. I still had a good cushion so I pitched with confidence.”
Zac Miller, Nick Andring and David Brakke all had run-scoring singles for Monroe, which relies heavily on 12 varsity-tested seniors. The group includes Parmley, a poised three-year varsity-team contributor.
“They’re a good group of guys who like to be around each other,” said Henderson, Monroe’s coach. “The more positive experiences we can have the better we’re going to be.”
At Stanwood H.S.
Monroe100 210 0 — 4 10 1
Stanwood 000 002 0 — 2 7 6
Parmley and Andring. Phillips, Vaughan (5) and Joyce. WP—Parmley (3-0). LP—Phillips (2-1). HR—Joyce (Stanwood). Records—Monroe 3-0 in division, 6-1 overall. Stanwood 2-1, 4-2.
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
