They didn’t have a nickname but, if one was hung on them, the ‘Bam-Bam’ girls might be appropriate.
The “they” are Liz Harvey and Cam Parker who last fall slammed 10 home runs each to lead Bryan County’s softball team in a late season surge that saw the Redskins advance to the Sweet 16 in the Class A-DII state playoff where they lost to state runner-up Irwin County.
Now, the hard-hitting duo will be taking their talents to Georgia Southern University – East Georgia campus as they both agreed to play for the Bobcats, making it official when they signed to do so before family, friends and coaches in a ceremony held in the school’s media center.
Georgia Southern--East is located in Swainsboro and is the former East Georgia State College, a two-year school which did offer a limited number of four-year degrees. However, it is now operating under the auspices of Georgia Southern University as of the first of the year due to consolidation and is in the process of transitioning to membership in the NAIA.
By becoming affiliated with the NAIA the school is able to continue its athletic program, thus avoiding the fate of the former Armstrong State University in Savannah. When Armstrong, which was an NCAA Division II athletic program, became part of the Georgia Southern family, its athletic program was shut down by the NCAA.
Harvey and Parker joined teammate Eris Deal as Redskins players who will be playing at the next level next year. Deal, a pitcher/infielder, signed with South Carolina-Salkehatchie in December.
Both Parker and Harvey were recruited hard by Bobcats Coach Matthew Gillespie who used the school’s transitioning to a four-year program as his strongest selling point. It was enough to tip the scales in his favor as both had other offers over which to mull.
Parker, an all-region third baseman and a four-year starter who is also an all-region player in soccer, committed early last fall citing the relationship she had established with Gillespie.
“I really liked him,” Parker said. “He took a real interest and stayed in touch and kept up with what I was doing. I looked at some other schools but the fact they were going to be a four-year program was a big part of my decision.”
Harvey was a four-year starter at shortstop and she is also a multi-sport standout. Harvey has been an all-region pick in basketball the past three years and in soccer, too. She is, all of her coaches said, the ultimate team player and is considered one of the best all-around girl athletes to come through Bryan County High School.
“It felt good, honestly,” said Harvey, who did not finalize her decision until about a month ago. “It was a long recruitment process in general and I’m just happy to be able to sign.
“It’s close to home which is nice but a big factor is it’s now a four-year program,” Harvey said. “You can now go there and not have to deal with transferring (after two years).”
This past season Harvey hit .522 with 10 homers, 12 doubles and one triple. She drove in 36 runs while scoring 38 from her leadoff position. Parker had equally impressive numbers as she hit .398 and had nine doubles to go with her 10 homers while driving in 34 runs and scoring 39.
The duo will obviously leave second-year coach Jessica Schroeder-Cooper a pair of big holes to fill next fall but she is happy and thrilled for them.
“They’ll be greatly missed next year not only on the field but across the campus, too,” Cooper said. “They’ve been making their name known for not just softball but in other sports, too.
“I can’t express how proud of these girls we all are. The room full of people watching is a testament to the type of young ladies they are. They will make waves in the next chapter in life and continue making us proud.”
