Submitted photo – Parker Rodgers in action for the Corsairs this season.

By Ray Hamill — Former Eureka Logger Parker Rodgers enjoyed a successful return to the North Coast this spring after being named to the GVC All-Conference second team for College of the Redwoods.

The 2021 Eureka graduate was one of two CR players to received all-conference recognition, joining outfielder Gavyn Dansby, who was an honorable mention.

Rodgers joined the Butte College program right out of high school, but he didn’t get much of a chance with the Roadrunners and so returned to Humboldt to join CR.

And he had an immediate impact with his new team, despite the Corsairs’ struggles.

He batted .328 with four doubles, two triples and 12 RBIs and had four stolen bases.

He also displayed his patience at the plate with 21 walks, but that doesn’t surprise head coach Andrew Aiello.

“I think the biggest thing with Parker is that he’s a big baseball IQ guy,” he said. “And with that he has the athletic ability to play multiple spots.

“And he hits well. He’s an extremely tough out.”

Just as crucial, Rodgers showcased his versatility by filling in all over the infield as injuries plagued the Corsairs.

The freshman played catcher, second base, third base and even a little first base.

“It was good two see him succeed here having not gotten a chance at Butte,” Aiello said. “To see him take advantage of that and do something with it, that was awesome to see.”

Dansby, meanwhile, was an energetic centerfielder who starred in the lead-off spot after switching from the middle of the lineup at the beginning of conference.

“He kind of took it and ran with it,” Aiello said of the freshman from South Dakota, who went seven or eight pitches into every at-bat. “He’s a competitive guy and he’s extremely fast and covers a ton of ground.”

Dansby batted .284 with eight doubles, three triples and a team-best 20 RBIs, as well as stealing a team-high nine bases.

“He puts the ball in play and he’s a burner,” Aiello said.

More that all of that, however, it was Dansby’s off-field presence that really impressed his coaches and teammates.

“He’s a great person,” the head coach said. “He’s a very happy-go-lucky guy. He’s just a welcoming and kind-hearted person and 99 percent of the time he has a smile on his face.”

CR struggled to a 5-31 record and was 1-24 in conference.

However, Aiello is confident better days lie ahead for a team that is expected to return several players next year, including their two all-conference selections.

“We had a tough year but we do have a good foundation of guys who are coming back,” Aiello said.

Aiello and assistant coaches Kokko Figueiredo, Hokem Sadon and Brian Barreto have been busy hitting the local recruiting trails this spring and a number of H-DN players have already committed to join the team, including Eureka’s Seth Grammer and Hoopa’s Darvin Davis IV.