Until last year. Parklane gained momentum when it handed Hillcrest its first two losses of the season in a doubleheader a month into the season. The year climaxed when Parklane defeated Pillow for the AAAA crown. Now, Jackson is out to repeat that feat. Dykes, a Mississippi State signee, had an 8-2 record with a 1.55 earned run average and 92 strikeouts last season.
Dykes has plenty of help.
Although junior Dooley Simmons wasn't a full-time starter at catcher last year, Simmons always caught Dykes. Simmons also hit .341. Junior Mitch Johnson and sophomore Trent Smith will alternate at second base. Jackson is counting on a pair of right-handers, sophomore Rusty Rayborn and junior Chris Edwards, to provide pitching depth. Christopher Robinson and Jarrod Fortinberry, seniors a year ago, combined with Dykes to give Parklane a talented and deep pitching staff.