The crowd roared as senior Caleb Parker rounded the bases, after smacking a homerun in Minooka’s first at-bat of the season.  

That opening game against Joliet Catholic Academy was a good game for Parker and his middle infield counterpart, junior Sully Minor. They both racked up multiple base hits and RBIs and were perfect in the field in the Indians 10-4 win.

Minooka’s middle infield has been locked down this season by Parker at shortstop and Minor at second base with them both fielding above .900%. 

“Caleb and Sully are a great team in the middle for us,” head coach Jeff Petrovic said.

“Sully is a very sure handed steady guy at second, and Caleb is a really smooth and athletic shortstop. They get along great and play the game the right way. I am very proud of both of them.”

On the opposite side of the ball, Minor has hit .324 with 20 RBIs, 13 base on balls, and 9 extra base hits.  Parker has hit .318 with 11 RBIs, 10 base on balls, and 5 extra base hits.

Parker has had similar stats from his all-conference season last year when he hit .343 with an .850 fielding percentage. And Minor has improved from his good season last year when he hit .294 with an .882 fielding percentage, mainly playing right field. 

“Caleb and I have been really solid this year,” Minor said, “He has been a great person for me to try and model my game after.”

In their first conference game, they both tallied 1 hit and 1 RBI, and went perfect in the field, in the Indians 15-0 win over Joliet West.

They also both have hit 2 RBI walk-offs. Parker hit his against Romeoville to finish off the Indians 5-run, 7th-inning comeback. And Minor hit his against Plainfield North to finish off Minooka’s 4-run comeback.

Looking to their futures, Parker is continuing his baseball career at Maryville University. And next year, Minor will be a senior leader — likely changing positions — again, to shortstop. Then looks to playing in college after that.

“The program is really fun. It’s like a big family, everyone is always messing around and having fun, but also there’s the expectation to win,” Parker said, “Going to play in college is something I’ve looked forward to my entire life. It’s the ultimate goal for most athletes, and to be able to do that, it feels great.”