Jake Richardson/Criterion

Throughout history, there have always been dynamic duos.
Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen, Kobe had Shaq, and even Ben had Jerry.
To see Mesa State’s, just go to Bergman Field on weekends and see who’s been pounding in the runs in the three and four spots of the Maverick line up. You’ll quickly notice the duo of Sara Jordan and Gabriella Parra, who have been the one-two punch the team has been relying on all season long.
Surprisingly, both girls were walk-ons at Mesa State, with both making it here through differing fashions.
Jordan couldn’t decide what to do with softball all throughout high school. After a few years of debating with herself, she decided that she would accept her scholarship offer.
“I was off and on all through high school,” Jordan said. “When I got my scholarship I just said I would play the two years and be done. After getting my first job, I felt it was pointless to pay my way through if I can just use scholarship money.”
On the other hand, Parra knew her entire life that she would be playing softball for a long time. After setting many New Mexico high school records in pitching, she knew almost immediately she would stay home and play for the Lobos at the University of New Mexico.
Parra played Division I softball for the University of New Mexico for two seasons before she arrived. After a torn ACL her freshman year and becoming engaged, her fiancé decided to work at Mesa State.
“I asked Kris Mort if she needed extra players,” Parra said. “After that I just walked on.”
Before the semester began last season, her fiancé took a job back at UNM, which left Parra here for the past two seasons. As for Jordan, she decided she wanted to step her game up. After playing junior college softball in Texas, Jordan called her longtime coach if to see if she could play in Grand Junction.
“I called coach and said that I just wanted to play,” Jordan said. “It was only a week’s time that I came here. I called up on a Friday and was in the car driving here by Saturday. I redshirted my first semester in order to get my scholarship.”
If you know the two, you know that they both swing a pretty hot bat night in and night out. This season, Parra has led the team in both home runs and runs batted in. Jordan is second overall, only a very few behind in both stats. Jordan’s success doesn’t stay on the mound, however. She has been no doubt the team’s ace all season long. This weekend alone she pitched 21 consecutive innings, three games, against Western New Mexico. With a no hitter on April 23 and a declining earned run average, she’s been a workhorse that has kept the team moving in the right direction.
“I’ve learned a lot about pitching since when I came out here,” Jordan said. “Before I came out here I really wasn’t passionate about the game but it’s been treating me well. I’ve carried it this season and last. I’ve been pitching more like me and my own style. Plus I feel comfortable with Parra in center field because every time it’s hit around her I know it’ll be an out.”
Now the possibilities could be endless if Parra still pitched like she did when she broke record after record in high school. But with a knee that won’t allow her to take the mound and a new found love for hitting, she doesn’t miss pitching completely.
“I was recruited to UNM as a utility player anyways,” Parra said. “I feel like I came back too early from my injury. I was at my peak my freshman year. It wasn’t worth it anymore after that. If I could chose, I’d rather pitch because I love having control of the ball. I just don’t have the desire to get back there because it would take a long time to get there again. Now that I practice hitting a lot more now, I’m a lot better at hitting.”
Both girls want to have that final at bat in the bottom of the seventh to bring home that tying or winning run. But with the confidence both girls have in each other, they can both relax more at the plate.
“We both want that position,” Parra said. “If I wasn’t (in that position,) I’d have complete trust in her. That’s why she bats behind me so if I don’t get the job done, she will.”
The bond between the two couldn’t be any more apparent. From playing games to just going out, the two have built a really strong chemistry with each other, which has led to the whole team being close with each other.
“We are really close,” Parra said. “Since we are on a team we just like to hang out. Sara just bought the Just Dance game so we and everyone will come over and eat dinner and play. We just do a lot together.”
With the team at 18-16 on the season, the two know that the team hasn’t peaked yet. With their positive attitudes and high hopes, their beliefs run on the entire team.
“It’s been a struggle,” Jordan said. “I feel at ease with where we are at. We have so much confidence because everybody is on the same page right now. We haven’t peaked, which is a great thing. It’s better we haven’t peaked so we can have that confidence going into the tournaments.”
April 25 was senior day at Bergman Field and Parra was honored since she’s played four seasons and she won’t be here next year. When her name was announced in front of the crowd before game two, Parra came out the dugout with her parents and received her senior quilt from coach Mort. The first girl to give her a hug was Jordan.
It was an emotional moment for both players because it was the first time they realized the end is near for them on the field. All the top plays, perfect gems and home runs between the two will never be forgotten by either of them.

ahimes@mesastate.edu