CASPER, Wyo. — Brody Parks and Ryan Deveraux grew up playing baseball together. Now, they’ll remain teammates past high school after the duo signed to continue their athletic careers at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio.
“We’ve been playing together since we were probably 9,” Parks said. “It’s pretty much been our whole lives.”
“It’s awesome,” Deveraux added. “I’m super excited to carry our friendship into college, dorm with him and just continue to play baseball together.”
Parks, a second baseman, uses his keen eye to shore up his team’s infield.
“It’s all about reading the play and predicting what’s going to happen,” he said. “You’ve definitely got to be quick on your feet.”
Deveraux, who has spent time as both a catcher and outfielder, said he’s ready to do whatever is needed of him, though he hopes to throw his hat in the running for the college team’s catcher position.
“As the catcher, you need to be aware of everything going on on the field,” he said. “It’s about knowing where everyone is and what they’re supposed to be doing, while also doing your job as kind of the captain on the field and working with the pitcher.”
The versatile duo also know how to impact games at the plate, with explosive offensive prowess.
“You better not give them one down the middle, or they’ll make you pay for it,” former coach TJ Mittelstaedt said.
Looking back, Parks points to a clutch at-bat against Sheridan as one of his best performances.
“I got the walk-off hit that won it for our team. It was a great feeling,” he said with a smile.
Deveraux recalls a game against Rapid City as one of his top outings.
“That whole game, I just felt like they couldn’t get me out,” he said.
But the pair’s high school career isn’t over yet. As they prepare for their final season, their sights are set high.
“I want a state championship,” Deveraux said. “To do that, we’ve got to be more than teammates — we’ve got to be brothers.”
Parks found Hocking first while looking at several collegiate programs, and he was interested. After meeting with the coaching staff of the Hocking College Hawks and visiting the school, he was more than intrigued.
He then encouraged Deveraux to consider the college program, and Deveraux was ultimately just as impressed.
Parks and Deveraux said it’s somewhat bittersweet to know that their time with local teammates and coaches is drawing short, but they’re also excited to tackle the upcoming challenges together as teammates.
“I’m really looking forward to it all,” Parks said. “The tougher competition, the traveling — the entire college experience.”
