Tara Murray
Billy Parsons capped off his first season at Sunshine Eagles by claiming the Baseball Victoria division one George Heron Medal.
Parsons took out the division 1 best and fairest with 17 votes.
Parsons also claimed the division 1 pitchers’ award, the Harry Douglas Memorial Trophy, with an earned run average of 0.73.
It’s a second straight best and fairest for Parsons, who claimed the division 2 award last season while playing with Port Melbourne.
The 21-year-old, who is currently playing baseball in Czech Republic, said he was shocked when he found out he had claimed the best and fairest.
“I was notified by the team at Baseball Victoria a few days before the awards night,” he said.
When I found out it was a great feeling. I knew I had a good year but I was quite surprised because I know a lot of other boys had great seasons themselves.”
Parsons was key as the Eagles made it through to finals. They were knocked out in the first week of the finals.
He paid tribute to his teammates and coaching staff for helping him to be able to perform the way he did.
“Personally I had the kind of year I expect from myself and as a team we came up a little shorter than we expected,” he said.
“I think the key to allowing me to perform the way I want to has to be through the boys.
“Working with de san [Allan de San Miguel] has been great having such an experienced catcher to work with also the pitching coaches helping me all year and obviously the boys behind me in the field stayed solid.
“The boys did all the right things all year but couldn’t get it done in the end but we will come back stronger next season for sure.”
The award caps off a massive season for Parsons, who also made his Australian Baseball League debut with Canberra Cavalry.
“It was great getting my first taste of some really high level baseball and I really loved being around the boys and the whole Canberra crew,” Parsons said.
“I can’t wait to hopefully have a full season next year.”
There is no off season for Parsons, who is playing in the Hluboká Baseball in the Czech Republic, with the season getting to the pointy end.
It’s the first time he’s played overseas.
“Canberra pitcher Justin Erasmus hooked me up with a team over here in the Czech Republic. So far it’s going great,” he said.
“The team is second in the standings and were looking to make a push for playoffs going into the last few weeks of the regular season.
“I’m looking to finish strong here in Czech this season and then hopefully make my way back into the abl next summer while also playing for Sunshine.”
