All-star ambitions vary from sport to sport. In baseball, the goal is to get a hit and notch a victory. By contrast, all-star pitchers want to throw strikes against the best batters they’ve faced all season. They certainly don’t want to give up a home run.

Brookhaven Academy’s Gage Posey and Tanner Parvin have an opportunity to showcase their skills in Friday’s MAIS All-Star Baseball Game at Jackson’s Smith-Wills Stadium. They’ll play for the South in the Class AA-AAA Game at 2 p.m.

Baseball fans purchasing the $8 ticket can catch the Class A game at 5 p.m., if they choose to remain in the Capital City after dark.

“It’s a special honor to play in the all-star game,” said Parvin. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The all-stars reported Wednesday for orientation and practice. Coaches Robert Young of AAA Parklane and Jason Kinchen of AA state champion Central Private are coaching the South squad.

Parvin (6-1, 175) anchored BA’s pitching staff this season. He fashioned a 7-5 record and a 2.93 ERA. In 67 innings, he struck out 52 batters and issued just 9 bases on balls. Opponents had a .227 batting average against the right-hander.

Asked about improvements, Parvin said, “My changeup got a lot better. I was able to hit my spots.”

At the plate, Parvin owned the third highest batting average at .419. He drove in a team-best 27 runs, hitting 2 homers and 8 doubles. He stole 11 bases.

He wears jersey No. 10 because his birthday is Aug. 10. His favorite Major League Baseball team is Atlanta and his favorite player is third baseman Martin Prado of the Arizona Diamondbacks. “Chipper Jones wore No. 10 for the Braves.”

Parvin is the 18-year-old son of Ken and Sandra Parvin. His father pastors Heucks Retreat Baptist Church.

He plans to play baseball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and pursue a career in building construction science.

Posey (6-3, 185) is a veteran all-star, having played in the MAIS football and basketball showcases this season. He has signed a baseball scholarship with Hinds Community College. He might give football a try.

Last fall, Posey directed the Cougars to the Class AA state championship. In the title game against Marshall Academy, Posey passed for 6 touchdowns and ran for another in a thrilling 49-40 victory. He finished the season with over 4,000 yards total offense and was named the Daily Leader’s Mr. Football on the 2012 All-Lincoln County Team. He also made all-county in basketball.

This summer he will under go some minor surgery on his left elbow to reduce inflammation on his ulna nerve.

Posey’s availability as a pitcher was limited but he played center field with skill and speed in a 15-12 campaign. He batted .420, driving in 25 runs, hitting 5 homers, 7 doubles and stealing 10 bases as the Cougars reached the South State semifinals.

Posey said he prefers swinging a 33-inch Rawlings bat, which weighs 30 ounces. Parvin swings a 33-inch Marucci, which also weighs 30 ounces.

Asked about BA’s season, Posey said, “We had a tough schedule and a lot of young guys on the field. We still had a good year,” including a late-season win over Class 5A power Clinton.

He is the 18-year-old son of Kevin and Rhonda Posey.

He wears No. 15 in honor of former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. He faithfully follows the Atlanta Braves and his favorite player is leftfielder Justin Upton.

Posey, Parvin and infielder Matthew Evans were the only seniors on the BA squad that is under the direction of Casey Edwards. Evans has signed a baseball scholarship with Co-Lin.

“Coach Edwards know a lot about the game,” said Parvin.

Posey agreed. “Coach Edwards is a great coach and he’s a great friend, too.”

How would Posey describe his all-star teammate?

“Tanner is a leader,” answered Posey. “He’s as solid as they come. He will make whatever play we need to help the team out.”

Parvin complimented Posey. “Gage makes big plays and he comes through when you need him. He is a leader.”

They both agreed that Centreville Academy, led by Hinds signee Randy Bell, was the best team they faced this season.

Area All-Stars: Pitcher/third baseman James Michael Schmidt of Parklane and shortstop Jacob Ashley of Copiah Academy will represent their schools on the South AA-AAA squad tomorrow. A noon Friday banquet, at the Muse Center on the Hinds campus in Pearl, will recognize the all-stars.

Representing BA last year in the Dream Game were first baseman Hunter Franklin and outfielder Christian “Bubba” Keene.

Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email: tom.goetz@dailyleader.com