Parkland High School Baseball

The Parkland Trojans improved their record to 5-0 with a 9-0 win over Bethlehem Catholic.  Parkland stranded several base runners in the early innings failing to capitalize on struggling Bethlehem Catholic pitching that allowed a total of eleven walks.   With a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the 6th inning, the Trojans finally took advantage when Zach Merkle (1-for-2, HR, 2 BB, 4 RBI, run) came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit one over the left field fence for a grand slam.  It was also a milestone night for head coach Tony Galucy who collected his 200th career win. 

Parkland scored three runs in the 1st inning and one in the 2nd inning for the early 4-0 lead.  After walks to Brad Vasilik (1-for-3, BB, run) and Justin Afflerbach (0-for-1, 3 BB, 2 runs), Hudson Rabenold (1-for-2, 2B, SF, 3 RBI, run) drove a ball to deep right-center for a 2-RBI double.  A walk to Merkle followed by an Alex Flynn (2-for-3) single loaded the bases.  Zach Miiller (1-for-2, SF, RBI) drove home the third Parkland run with a sacrifice fly.  In the 2nd, the Trojans loaded the bases with no outs when Vasilik led off with a single followed by an Afflerbach walk and Chris Rabasco (2-for-4, 2 runs) single.  Rabenold collected his third RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to give Parkland the 4-0 lead. 

Senior pitcher Gabe Mosser earned his third win of the season on the mound going 5 scoreless innings, striking out nine, while allowing only two hits and one walk.  Rabasco worked the 6th inning striking out two and allowing one hit.  Evan McAndrew pitched the 7th inning striking out two and allowing one hit. 

In the 6th, the Trojans loaded the bases on walks to Afflerbach and Rhett Jacoby (0-for-0, BB, run) and a Rabasco single.  Merkle then drove a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence for the grand slam to give Parkland an 8-0 lead.  Parkland would tack on one more run when Tyler Bruno (1-for-1, run) singled, followed by a Tanner Stufflet (0-for-0, BB) base on balls.  Bruno would advance to third base on a Harrison Rabenold fly out and later scored on a wild pitch.