Free State High senior first baseman Big Ben Wilson puts a serious hurt on a baseball when he swings the bat. It doesn’t take long for his hits to shoot through the infield.

Wednesday evening on Free State’s baseball diamond, Wilson hit a low screamer destined for the left-field grass, a sure hit that would drive in a pair of runs.

Enter Daniel Parker, Lawrence High senior shortstop bound for Creighton University, where he has been guaranteed a spot on the baseball team as a walk-on. Parker dove toward third base and snared the low liner before it had a chance to hit the ground. The spectacular play for the third out stranded runners on second and third in the first inning of a 4-1 LHS victory.

“That ball was absolutely smoked,” Parker said. “I don’t know if you want to call it luck or skill, but it was hard to catch.”

Skill.

“Thanks,” Parker said.

You’re welcome.

Parker also used his quick mind to secure some secret or another from Free State.

“He brought all the hitters in and talked to them about something he had picked up,” said LHS coach Brad Stoll, who understandably did not get more specific, considering the city rivals play again tonight at Hoglund Ballpark. “And they listen to him. They know he can see things a lot of kids can’t because he’s so in tune to the game. He’s got a lot of intangibles. He’s got some baseball savvy.”

He’s not shy of tangible skills either, and his exceptional vision applies to seeing the pitched baseball better than others as well. Facing Free State’s hard-throwing junior closer E.J. Swanson, school record-holder for saves in a season, Parker rifled a home run over the right-field fence and into a cluster of trees to give the Lions a 3-1 lead in the seventh.

“We had already won the game when I hit the home run,” he said, asked which of his two big plays meant more. “The home run means nothing. It just makes you look good.”

Parker looked so good to Stoll he sought the opinion of Cleveland Indians scout Steve Abney. Once he heard that opinion, he asked Abney if he wouldn’t mind calling Ed Servais, the baseball coach at Creighton University, to recommend Parker. Baseball scouts take great pride in being right, so they can always be counted on for honest opinions. Their words carry a ton of weight.

Abney didn’t see Parker’s big game in support of winning left-hander Daniel Green, but he was nearby, watching his daughters, Brooke and Livi Abney, help Free State win its first Sunflower League softball title for personable, quick-witted coach Pam Pine.

“He’s the kind of guy who’s projectable,” Abney said of Parker. “He’s lanky. He’s got a pretty good swing. He’s not ready for pro ball, but he was a little overlooked in the recruitment process. They’re real intense at Creighton, so intense it’s kind of like overboard, and this kid can fit into that. He can match up with that intensity.”

Abney projected the 6-foot-3, 175-pound athlete as a corner outfielder. Stoll said his guess is Parker could play in the outfield at first and eventually end up back at short.

“He’s been nearly flawless for us,” Stoll said. “I don’t know if he’s made two errors all year.”

He saved two runs with his glove and created another with his bat. Creighton’s getting a winner.