USA – Zack Parker, the Barnstormers’ Opening Night starting pitcher in 2008, has been re-signed for the 2009 season, the club announced today.

Parker, 27, went 6-1 for the Barnstormers during the home stretch of the 2007 season and returned for the 2008 campaign. He made only four starts, going 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA. Included in those starts was a two-hit gem in a 4-0 victory over the Camden Riversharks on May 5, the only complete game shutout by a Lancaster hurler last season.

Overall, in a Barnstormers uniform, the Austin, Texas resident is 8-1 with a 2.08 ERA.

“Zack is a proven pitcher in our league,” Barnstormers manager Von Hayes said. “We only saw him pitch for a few weeks, but we expect him to be an anchor in our starting rotation this season.”

After his early success with Lancaster last season, Parker signed with the Texas Rangers and went 3-1 with a 3.39 ERA in 27 games for Class AA Frisco. He appeared in the playoffs for both Frisco and the Class AAA Oklahoma City Redhawks.

Originally signed by the Colorado Rockies in 2001, Parker was a 16-game winner for Class A Asheville in 2002 and won 12 games for Class AA Tulsa three years later.

The Barnstormers also signed right-hander Derrick Barrows. The 28-year-old converted infielder posted a 2-1 record and 4.47 ERA in 47 innings last season pitching for Atlantic City. Barrows began his career in the San Francisco Giants organization and played in 105 games as a shortstop for the Road Warriors of the Atlantic League in 2006.

These signings bring the total number of Barnstormers under contract for the 2009 season to 11.

The Barnstormers will open the 2009 baseball season at home on Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Newark Bears. Tickets to Opening Night and all other games in the 2009 season are on sale at www.LancasterBarnstormers.com. The Clipper Magazine Stadium box office opens for the season on April 6.

Courtesy of the Lancaster Barnstormers

Tags: Independent League