Going the Distance in College Debut

Hudson Valley starting pitcher Chuck Parslow made his collegiate debut in the second game of a doubleheader against Jefferson on Thursday, Apr. 4 and threw a complete game one hitter.

“I wanted to get the win, especially after losing that first game. I really wanted the win but I didn’t think it would be like that,” Parslow said.

Parslow, an Engineering Science student, gives some of the credit to the coaching staff.

“I felt really good, the coaches do a good job giving you proper rest, and throughout the winter we’ve been throwing, getting our rotation down, and we play every four days so I was on a long rest and all my pitches were on,” Parslow said.

On top of only allowing one hit, Parslow added four strikeouts and no walks.

“My pitches were the best I’ve seen,” Parslow said. “But it was my defense that really helped me.”

Parslow enjoyed the play of right fielder Brett Penton and center fielder Andy Kozak.      “Brett made a really good diving play in right. That saved a hit and run,” Parslow said. “There was one out, guy on third and that really helped out a lot.”

“And Kozak in center, he’s just amazing, he makes every play, I mean come on,” Parslow said.

With this being Parslow’s first collegiate appearance, he was filled with tons of emotion but his teammates were able to calm him down.

“My teammates kept coming up to me saying just keep doing what you’re doing, just let them hit the ball, don’t try to do too much, and they got me one run so the confidence was high and we knew we could beat that team,” Parslow said.

After losing the first game, Parslow feels that they needed that win.

“We lost the first game 6-4, and the win was great and was really huge,” Parslow said.

Throughout the offseason and now into the season, Parslow has gotten a lot of advice from senior starting pitcher and Accounting major, Matt Gallup.

“Gallup is awesome to have as a teammate” Parslow said, “He has that experience, he has been to the College World Series last year, [and] I look up to him.”

“I’ll be in that day and since he pitched before me and he’ll give me a scouting report of the team, telling me that the three hitter has a tough time handling the outside pitch, the four hitter doesn’t stay back on the curveball, so I’ll take all the advice he offers me while we talk in between innings,” Parslow said.

Parslow also gets a lot of advice from his battery mate and Physical Education major John Craig.

“Craig called that game for me and has that year of experience and he knows what he’s talking about,” Parslow said. “I listen to him so it is really nice to have that leadership on this team.”

Parslow hopes that the Vikings can win a lot of games the rest of the way.

“I hope we carry this into the postseason and just keep winning, keep the train rolling,” Parslow said.

He followed up his complete game one hitter with another complete game victory.