Parkland High School Baseball

“This is the year for rebuilding, they’re underdogs, and it could be a Cinderella Story” were just some of the terms used when the 2016 Parkland Trojans were described.  None of those definitions really fit them.  This is the team that had no player chosen on the EPC first or second team but, somehow managed to advance to the District XI Title game.  Many of their names won’t be remembered but their fight and their drive to support each other will.  That was true through many games this season and continued on this beautiful afternoon for baseball at Lehigh University. 

The Trojans began the scoring in the third inning when Andrew Roth (3-4, 2RBI, R) singled to left field and advanced to second base on a walk to Cullan Wadsworth (0-3, BB, R).  A wild pitch moved both runners to second and third respectively.  Tyler Bruno (2-3, BB) worked a walk to load the bases.  Kyle Friebolin (1-2, 2RBI, BB) drove a single to left field which easily scored Roth and Wadsworth giving the Trojans a 2-0 lead.

Easton then scored two runs in each of the next two innings. 

The Parkland sixth inning began as Ethan Imler (0-1, 2BB, R) walked on an eight pitch at bat.  Imler took second on a wild pitch and moved to third as EJ Brandt (1-1) singled sharply to centerfield.  Roth came to the plate and pulled a ball deep down the right field line which was caught on a fine play by the Easton right fielder.  Imler tagged at third and easily scored the Trojans third run. 

Easton answered by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Pitchers Ryan Giovenco and Braeden Duff both battled but Easton seemed to come up with the big hit when they needed it on this day. 

In the top of the seventh Trojans fans again got to see why this team will always be known as one that will fight until the end.  Matt Mellinger (0-3, BB, R) hit a hard ground ball with one out, but hustled down the line and the hurried throw was dropped by the first baseman.  It gave the Trojans a one out base runner.  Isaac Neal (1-3, HBP) then took one for the team as he was hit by a pitch.  Mike Jenkins stepped in as a pinch hitter and hit what looked to be a bases clearing double as he roped a liner to down the third base line but it was snared by the Easton third baseman.  Kyle Novobilski (0-0, BB) walked to load the bases.  In his final at bat as a Trojan, Roth hit a run scoring single to right to plate the again hustling Mellinger.  The Trojans fought hard but could not break through as they then left the bases loaded.  In the year that the Parkland Trojans were supposed to be down and out there they were holding their heads high as they accepted the District XI Silver Medal.