Parkland High School Baseball

Although the Parkland Trojans got more offense from their hitters today scattering seven hits, missed opportunities with runners in scoring position proved costly.  Freedom's two-out rally in the 3rd inning where they scored three runs on three hits proved to be enough as the Trojans suffered their first conference loss of the season by a score of 3-2.   Starting pitcher Connor Higgins worked five innings on the mound allowing three runs (1 earned) on six hits and did not walk a batter, while striking out five.  Although Freedom put their lead off hitter on base to start the 1st and 2nd innings, Higgins did not allow the runners to advance in either situation getting out of each inning by retiring the next batters in order. 

After a scoreless 1st inning, Zach Merkle (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 runs) hit a one-out double in the second inning.  Merkle advanced to third base on a balk and then scored on a wild pitch to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead after two innings of play.  After Higgins retired the first two Freedom batters of the 3rd inning, the next four batters reached base safely on a couple of bloop base hits and a catcher's obstruction that allowed Freedom to score three runs and take the lead 3-1.  Higgins would shut down Freedom in the 4th and 5th innings, while relief pitcher Alex Flynn worked a scoreless 6th and 7th inning.  Flynn struck out four batters in his two innings of work allowing one base hit and no walks.  However, the Trojans could not manage to overcome this deficit.

With two outs in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Parkland put runners on first and second base on back-to-back singles by Jeff Strisovsky (1-for-3, BB) and Chris Rabasco (1-for-4), but they were stranded.  Parkland's best chances to take the lead came in the 4th & 6th innings.  Merkle hit his second double of the game to lead off the 4th inning.  Merkle advanced to third on a ground out and then scored Parkland's second run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Justin Afflerbach (1-for-2, sac fly, RBI) to cut Freedom's lead to 3-2.   With two outs in the inning, the next three Parkland batters reached base to load the bases.  Alex Flynn (1-for-3) singled, Rhett Jacoby (1-for-3) singled, and Brad Vasilik walked.  A fly ball driven to deep left field by Strisovsky looked like it had a chance to drop in, but Freedom's left fielder made a nice running catch to end the inning.   In the 6th inning, Parkland put the tying run on third base with one out when Afflerbach singled, stole second base, and then advanced to third base on a wild pitch.  However, Afflerbach would be stranded, and the game would end with the Trojans going down in order in the bottom of the 7th for the 3-2 loss.