Parkland High School Baseball

It was PALS Night at Parkland High School's baseball stadium.  The special guests got to see the Parkland Trojans continue their excellent pitching and defense.  Beginning in the first inning, a strike out by Ryan Giovenco (5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K) and a diving catch in left center by Andrew Roth, set the tone for the evening against the Koncrete Kids of Northampton. Neither team scored in the first two innings, but the Trojans struck first when Roth (1-4, R) lined a two out single and was advanced by walks to Cullan Wadsworth (1-2, R, BB, Sac Bunt) and Tyler Bruno (1-2, 2R, BB).  A wild pitch scored Roth and advanced both Wadsworth and Bruno.  Wadsworth scored on the second wild pitch of the inning.  Bruno then came around to score on a clutch 2-out RBI single by Austin Mueller (1-1, RBI, BB), making the score 3-0 after 3 innings.

Giovenco continued his excellence in the 4th, showing resolve by getting the last out after walking two. In the bottom of the 4th, Ethan Imler (0-2, R, BB) worked a walk to reach base. Giovenco then helped himself out wonderfully by doubling to centerfield to knock in Imler. Northampton broke up the no-hit bid, and the shutout, with a well-placed bloop single and double to left, scoring one run to make it 4-1. In the bottom of the 5th, Parkland answered immediately with back to back singles by Wadsworth and Bruno, followed by a sacrifice by Mueller to set the table with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Matt Mellinger (0-3, R) put the ball in play, but solid defense by Northampton forced Wadsworth out at home. Kyle Friebolin (1-3, 2 RBI) then picked up his teammates by ripping a single to center to score both Bruno and Mellinger to extend the lead to 6-1.

Braeden Duff ( 2 IP, 0 R, 2 K) relieved Giovenco in the 6th and was able to get a close look at two standout defensive plays to start the inning. Roth had his second diving catch of the day to secure the first out. This was followed by Imler, playing third base who made a diving play to his left, spearing a shot in the gap between 3rd and short.  He regained his feet and threw a bullet to the stretching Mellinger at first for the out.  Northampton still would not go down easy, loading the bases with 2 outs. But Duff showed senior poise by striking out the next Northampton batter and ending the threat. He then closed out the game as he retired the side in order in the 7th inning to secure the 6-1 divisional win.