When Geoff Parker signed to play baseball at Florida State University three years ago he had dreams of making the NCAA College World Series (CWS).
Parker, who graduated from Zephyrhills High in 2007 and is a pitcher, has now played in two CWS and started the game that sent the Seminoles to the final tournament. He also appeared in two games in the 2010 CWS, but Texas Christian University eliminated FSU June 23.
Former Zephyrhills baseball player and current Florida State pitcher Geoff Parker helped the Seminoles reach the College World Series.
Even though Parker’s season did not end how he wanted, he still managed to see the positives of his junior year.
“I got to pitch in the CWS my freshman year and it was great to have a bigger role this time,” Parker said after the Seminoles were eliminated. “Obviously we would have liked to bring home the first championship in Florida State history and I’m disappointed by that, but we all gave it our best and hopefully we can win it all next year.”
The Seminoles have reached 20 CWS, the most ever for a team without winning a title. This year Parker made two appearances working 2.2 innings with one strikeout while giving up five hits and two earned runs in the CWS.
During the entire season he had a 4-1 record with three saves, a 4.69 earned run average (ERA) and 72 strikeouts to 40 walks. Parker said he throws a fastball and curveball. His fastball is consistently between 91 and 92 mph and tops out around 94 or 95.
Parker, who was born in Dade City and was first introduced to baseball in the city’s Little League, has had a large impact on the Seminoles pitching staff the last three years.
“He’s been a valuable member of our team on the field, in the weight room and off the field as a leader,” said FSU pitching coach Jamey Shouppe. “He made a bunch of starts in big midweek games and was always the first guy out of the pen during the weekend. We think of him as our big-game pitcher because he loves to compete.”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Parker said of being on the mound in a big game, “I love having everything come down to me. I love those big pressure situations. It’s just me and the batter and I don’t plan on losing.”
The former Bulldog now plays hundreds of miles from Zephyrhills, but his time at the high school helped shape him into the player he is today. His high school coach was Bruce Cimorelli, who is Zephyrhills’ current athletic director.
Geoff Parker as he signed to play at Florida State. Seen with Parker are his parents, Richard and Cindy, and his baseball coach at Zephyrhills Bruce Cimorelli (standing).
“He was very talented and could play any position,” Cimorelli said. “He’s one of the top five players I had in my 13 years coaching baseball at Zephyrhills High School.”
During his senior season at Zephyrhills, Parker had a 9-2 record with two saves and a team-leading 96 strikeouts to 16 walks. He also had a team-leading 0.73 ERA.
He also played shortstop for Zephyrhills and led the Bulldogs with a .480 batting average, 38 runs scored, 36 hits, 34 RBI, seven doubles and nine homeruns.
“He was the hardest worker and was very humble,” Cimorelli said. “He never said a lot, but everyone liked him. As good as a player as he was, he was a better person off the field.
“I remember when Geoff was a freshman and we brought him up to varsity,” Cimorelli remembered. “He came late to batting practice and did not play that night. After the game his mom wanted to see me. She asked me why didn’t Geoff play and I told her he came late to batting practice. She told Geoff if he ever did any thing wrong again she would personally whip his behind. I knew then we had something special.”
That tough love has not prevented Parker and his parents, Cindy and Richard Parker, from having a strong relationship.
“His family is the biggest part of his life,” Shouppe said. “He just thrives around his parents.”
Parker is majoring in general human sciences, but may have a different career after being drafted in the ninth round of the MLB first-year player draft by the Colorado Rockies this year. Parker has until August to sign with the team or remain with FSU.
“I haven’t thought much about going pro yet.” Parker said. “The season just finished and I’ve got some time to think about that.”
