Parkland High School Baseball

After a long game the night before, Pocono Mountain West ended up being just what Parkland needed as the Trojans were able to cruise to an easy 15-2 victory on the road.  Nikhil Patel went the distance for the Trojans earning his second win of the season,striking out four over five innings. 

Eight different players had hits for the Trojans as they were able to pile up thirteen total hits in the five inning contest.  Joseph Webber and Matthew Ervolina had multiple hits for the Trojans.  Blake Barthol led the Trojans with three RBI and Jared Kucharczuk, Webber and Jack Giovenco each had two.

The Trojans look to remain undefeated on 4/8 against Libertyin a home game at 4:45. 

The Trojans traveled to Church Lane Field for a battle of undefeated division teams and it ended up being a back and forth contest with Parkland coming out on top 17-11.  Emmaus opened up the scoring in the first inning pushing across the first run of the game with a leadoff walk and a pair of singles. The game stayed that way until the third inning when Emmaus’ starting pitcher lost control of the zone and walked five batters and hit one, allowing the Trojans to score three runs.  The Trojans tallied three more in the fourth inning, eventually chasing the Emmaus starting pitcher who left the game without giving up a hit but had his team trailing 6-2 on eight total walks and some defensive miscues.

Parkland starting pitcher, Phil Schoch, left the game after three innings, striking out five batters and allowing two runs.  Over the next two innings, Emmaus was able to take the lead back, scoring seven runs on seven hits and a few defensive lapses by the Trojan defense.   After five innings, Emmaus held a 9-7 lead.  Parkland was able to keep their heads in the game and play strong down the stretch outscoring their opponent 9-2 over the final two innings to finish up with an exhausting 17-11 win. 

Alex Oliver (1-0) ended the game as the winning pitcher and Koby Staivecki came in to record the final six outs and earn his second save ofthe season.

Offensively, the Trojans were led by Matt Ervolina, who finished the game with four RBI and a run scored.  Blake Barthol had four runs scored and three RBI on the day and George Jenkins had an RBI and three runs scored.  Jeremy Piatkiewicz reached base four times on walks and came around to score three runs.

Hopes were high when the Hornets arrived for the rivalry matchup.   They knew they had to improve their defense to be competitive in the conference game.   It was very windy, but the weather conditions did not impact the game.  Emmaus was hot from their leadoff batter on as the first 3 batters got hits, and all 3 ultimately scored in the first,    Emmaus didn’t get many extra base hits, but they put the ball in play often with a bunch of singles, and those hits combined with walks, created many scoring opportunities for the Hornets.   Although only down 4 to 0 in the 3rd, in each inning, the Trojans might have climbed back into the game but key hits just were not in the mix for the team this day.  Ultimately, the Trojans started some a late rally, but ended up losing 11 to 3.

Bryce Ratliff knocked in the first run in the 5th with a double over the centerfielder’s head.  Other hits by Joe Algard, Luke Meehan, Aaron Atiyeh, Taiki Horiguchi and Owen Lehr were not enough to create any big innings.   Overall, the defense played well with a Ratliff double play, a running, gliding outfield catch by Joe Algard and a well tracked catch by right fielder, Owen Lehr.   2nd baseman, Ian Grobler made all the plays at 2b and made some tricky catches with the wind swirling behind him.    The Trojans have many games scheduled in the coming weeks so they will need to move on and continue to get better in this still young season.

NikhilPatel picked up his first varsity win, going 4 1/3 innings, striking out sixand giving up only one earned run in a 7-3 win at non-conference opponentWilson West Lawn.  Parkland (4-0) remained undefeated and continued tohave strong showings from their pitching staff.

The Trojanstook the lead early in this one with Jeremy Piatkiewicz and Blake Bartholworking walks to lead off the game.  They were moved up on a Matt Ervolinabunt and eventually scored on a two out Joseph Webber single.  Webber endedthe day driving in four runs for the Trojans.  Parkland showed aconsistent offensive effort throughout the game, scoring in six of the seveninnings.

George Jenkinsled the Trojans offensively with three hits, scoring one run and driving inone.  

The pitchingremained strong for the Trojans.  Phil Schoch held Wilson to one unearnedrun over 1 2/3 innings, striking out three while allowing only one hit. He eventually gave way to closer Koby Staivecki who pitched the final inning toearn his first save of the year while allowing no hits and striking out onebatter.

Freshman BlakeBarthol earned his first career varsity hit when he drove a long double to deepcenter.

The Trojansnext contest will be against division opponent Nazareth. 

The Trojans moved to 5-0 on the year and 3-0 inthe division with a solid 9-0 defeat of Nazareth on Monday.  Adam Smith (1-0) was back on the mound earninghis first win of the season throwing six solid innings allowing only onehit and striking out four. 

The Trojans again started the scoring early withtwo runs in the first when Blake Barthol (2-2, 2 runs, 3 RBI) walked, JoshMiiller (1-3, 1 run) singled and Joseph Webber (2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) drove a doubleto right center.  Miiller eventually scoredon a wild pitch by Nazareth.

Nazareth never threatened the Trojansoffensively as the Trojans did not walk a batter and the Blue Eagles onlymanaged only two hits.  Alex Oliver pitchedthe final inning for the Trojans, allowing one hit while striking out two.

The Trojans again had another strong offensive performancewith twelve hits.  Blake Barthol, GeorgeJenkins and Joseph Webber each had two hits for Parkland with Barthol chippingin three RBI.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday in ahuge divisional contest at undefeated Emmaus.