Bailey Parshall’s Decision on Penn State Deeper than Playing Game She Loves

Bailey Pashall has become one of the best players to ever suit up for the Penn State Nittany Lions softball program. One of the best arms the program has ever seen, her stuff has been electric with 607 career strikeouts, a 2.45 career earned run average, and 41 career wins.

(Photos courtesy of Penn State Athletics)

In her career, she’s already set the program record for saves in a season with five, owns the top two Penn State record for strikeouts in a game, and is among the top five in Penn State history in career strikeouts.

Parshall is coming back to the Nittany Lions for one final season while studying for a masters degree in organizational leadership. This degree in addition to her baccalaureate degree in health policy and administration she hopes will allow her to work in an acute care setting in the Greater Pittsburgh area.

This goal is something that remains down the road, for now, she’s looking forward to one final year as a third-generation Penn Stater. She said this about what being a Nittany Lion means to her.

“PSU has been my dream school since as long as I can remember. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity to remain in my home state and compete at this level. It has meant the world to me to have my parents in the stands for every home game of my college career. Penn State has provided me with endless opportunities both academically, athletically, and soon enough, professionally. I’m looking forward to being a part of one of the largest alumni networks in the world.”

A Belle Vernon Area High School graduate, Parshall earned her way to a Power 5 school after a high school career that included two section titles, three WPIAL crowns, breaking the school record in career strikeouts (984), career shutouts (39), and career wins (76), throwing six career no-hitters, and recoding a career 0.79 ERA.

Additional high school accolades include striking out 20 batters in a game, leading the WPIAL in strikeouts twice, becoming a multiple time all-state selection, being named Player of the Year by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pennsylvania Coaches Association, the Pennsylvania High School Softball Association, the Herald Standard, Trib HSSN, and the Mon-Valley Independent during her career, being nominated as a Gatorade Player of the Year candidate, being honored as a Tribune Review Terrific 10 honoree, and a multiple time all-district performer.

Parshall also became an important part of the Ohio Outlaws travel organization, a group that she traveled across the country with to play in some of the nations best tournaments. With over a decade of travel softball under her belt and nearly 20 years of playing softball overall, the only year she never got a full season in was 2020, a result that’s allowed her to come back for the 2023 college season.

“If there is anything to be said about COVID is that it has granted athletes new opportunities. I’m grateful for Coach Crowell to allow me to stay at Penn State for another year. Having this chance to play another year allows me to further my education, which is what made my decision to stay easy. Working towards a masters degree was not in my plans when I entered college, so having this opportunity just adds to the many reasons I’m grateful for the game of softball.”

Something else Parshall expressed gratitude for were some of her favorite memories through softball to date, including the bus rides and bonding opportunities she’s had with her teammates over her career in addition to the sacrifice her parents made to help her live out a dream as a Penn State student-athlete.

“My parents (Debbie and Kelly Parshall) have been my rock every step of the way. They have sacrificed their personal lives time and time again for me to have the opportunity to be successful. My dad is my best friend. We’ve created such a strong bond from softball and I am where I’m at today both professionally and athletically because of him. He was just as dedicated to my softball career as I was and that is what made all of the difference in my softball upbringing.”

A now second-generation college athlete, Pardhall’s time in college athletics has one final push. No matter what happens, being a Penn Stater has been a dream come true and a chapter of her life that she will never taken for granted.

“The best part about being a Penn State athlete has been the connections and people I’ve met. The athlete community is so welcoming and having something to be a part of in college is really important,” she said.