If Moose Jaw Miller Express fans are wondering why so many players from the Arkansas Monticello Weevils are signing on with the Western Canadian Baseball League franchise, they only have to look at who their starting third baseman is.
It turns out word of mouth can play a big role in getting players from U.S. teams to make their way north, and sophomore infielder Parker Dorrance has undoubtedly had good things to say about Moose Jaw.
Dorrance was recently announced as the fourth Weevil to sign on with the Miller Express while also continuing the recent string of returning veterans announcing their intention to play in the Friendly City this summer.
After getting off to a bit of a slow start to open the 2022 WCBL campaign, Dorrance started to heat up at the beginning of July, and by the time the Express reached the midpoint of the month, the Arvada, Col. product was hitting over .300 and would remain in that range the rest of the season.
A big part of that surge was a 10-game hitting streak that saw Dorrance record at least a pair of hits in eight games and two three-hit contests, with a 3-for-6, two-run, two-RBI showing against Weyburn on July 17 one of his best showings in that stretch.
Dorrance would save some of his best work for the final week of the regular season, racking up three straight three-hit games from July 29 through July 31 and hitting .482 through his last six games with the team.
The traditional WCBL late-season player purge brought Dorrance’s campaign to an end after Moose Jaw’s final regular season game, though, as he had to return home to prepare for the Weevils’ season.
All told, Dorrance would hit .313 with 45 runs scored, eight doubles and 33 runs batted in. His average was sixth best on the team, while he’d finish fourth in both runs scored and RBI.
Dorrance joins pitchers Rigell Robinson, Adam Armstrong and catcher Chaz Poppy in having signed with the Miller Express out of Arkansas Monticello.
The NCAA Division II squad plays in the Great American Conference and got their season off to a good start during the Feb. 3 weekend, taking a three-game sweep over Mississippi College. Dorrance -- who played for juco Northeast Community College in Norfolk, N.E. last season -- made his debut for the Weevils and is hitting .154 with two runs scored.
You can follow along with Dorrance and his fellow future Miller Express teammates at www.uamsports.com/sports/baseball.
The Moose Jaw Miller Express open their 2023 WCBL campaign on Saturday, May 27 when they host the Weyburn Beavers at Ross Wells Park.
