Jackson grad Parham signs with Indians

After Josh Parham's relatively undistinguished pitching career at Jackson High School, getting the chance to play Division I baseball appeared to be a slim possibility.

But Parham will receive the opportunity to compete on the Division I level. The Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College product recently signed a letter of intent with Southeast Missouri State University. He will have three seasons of eligibility with the Indians.

"I'm excited to be going to SEMO," said Parham, a 2002 Jackson graduate who pitched one season at Fort Scott after attending Southeast for a year but not playing baseball. "In high school, I didn't have anybody looking at me. I couldn't have imagined this."

Parham, a left-hander, had a solid season as Fort Scott's closer this year. He figures to continue in a relief role with the Indians and should provide record-setting right-hander closer Brad Smith with a nice complement from the other side.

"Josh has obviously grown a lot from his high school days," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I think he'll be extremely effective against left-handed hitters, and a really good thing is he's got three years of eligibility. We're excited to have signed him."

Parham is pitching with the Plaza Tire Capahas this summer for the first time and is off to a strong start. Entering Saturday's doubleheader at St. Joseph, Mo., he had already recorded two saves and in five innings had allowed no runs, two hits and two walks while striking out eight.

"He throws from three different arm angles, three-quarter, sidearm and submarine. I don't know of anybody else that does that and can throw strikes," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "I'm happy to have him and I know SEMO will be. I think he'll be a very good addition to SEMO."

Parham didn't pitch all that much for Jackson High School but that changed last year when he played for Jackson's American Legion team and was "discovered" by coach Mark Lewis.

"I saw him throwing from the outfield sidearmed and I thought somebody should make him a pitcher," Lewis said, smiling. "He pitched for us last year and I helped get him on at Fort Scott."

Added a laughing Parham, "My arm was hurting one day and I was throwing kind of sidearmed from the outfield. That's how it developed, and then coach Lewis helped me get somewhere to pitch. He really helped me out and I owe a lot to him."