Blaine Parker Signs With ETBU

HALLSVILLE — Four Hallsville High School seniors signed their letters of intent on Wednesday to continue their athletic career at the next level. Blaine Parker and Cody Rodgers decided to stay in Harrison County where they'll attend ETBU. Rogers will play football for the Tigers and Parker will play baseball. Ty Meissner will play baseball for Tyler Junior College and Ezrie Gates will run cross country at Ranger College.

As a junior last baseball season, Parker went 5-0 from the mound where he allowed only four runs, struck out 25 batters and finished with an ERA of 1.29. From the plate, he had four hits and a batting average of .333.

Parker said he connected with the coaches and added it's nice to play close to home.

"I had an offer from a junior college about 10 hours away but it's just too far of a drive," he said.

He'll be joining a team that went 31-14 overall in 2016 and 18-6 against American Southwest Conference opponents.

He said he's not sure exactly what his role will be yet.

"Whatever they give me, I'll be happy to be there and do whatever I need to," he added.

While there, he plans to major in business and sports marketing.