Parkland High School Baseball

A few early season losses left questions about how far the Parkland baseball team could go this season.  Coach Tony Galucy kept telling his players they would benefit from their setbacks.

Following the lead of senior co-captains Dan Klem and M.J. Miorelli, the Trojans have grown from their regular season ups and downs. They will try to continue a postseason run few would have predicted a month ago when they face District 12 champion Saint Joseph's Prep in a PIAA Class 4A semifinal this afternoon.  'This team is just starting to get real close-knit,' Galucy said. 'When they come to practice, you can tell they enjoy being around one another.'

Parkland will go back to undefeated starter Andrew Kulp (7-0, 2.36 ERA) as it tries to extend its season to one final game. He allowed one run over seven innings against Pennridge in the first round of states.  St. Joseph's Prep right-hander Kevin Gillen, a Johns Hopkins recruit, will try to halt Parkland's run. He has held opponents to a .165 average this season.
Parkland believes it's ready for whatever challenges the Hawks will bring.

'It's just been an amazing run so far,' Klem said. 'After last year [when Parkland lost in the district quarterfinals], we just wanted to come out and see what would happen. After the first couple games, we were just like, 'Why not? We can do this.''

PIAA CLASS 4A BASEBALL SEMIFINAL

When/where: 2 p.m. today at Spring-Ford High School, Royersford.

At stake: A spot in Friday's 4A state final against District One No. 5 North Penn or District 7 champion North Allegheny.

SAINT JOE'S PREP (District 12 champ, 16-8)

Coach: Christian Rupertus

Top hitters (stats do not include Saturday's state quarterfinal game): Sr. 1B Jeff Lynch (.410, 7 2B, 2 HR, 20 RBIs); so. C Ray Toto (.403, 11 2B, 1 HR, 14 RBIs); jr. 3B Greg Brooks (.347, 4 2B, 2 3B, 7 RBIs); sr. CF Giovanni Morales (.345, 4 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBIs).

Probable starting pitcher: Sr. RHP Kevin Gillen (7-3, 61.2 IP, .165 OBA, 72 SO, 2.15 ERA).

About the Hawks: Beat District One No. 4 Garnet Valley 4-3 in first round of states and District One champ West Chester East 2-1 in quarterfinals. Â… Won Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division title. Â… No. 1 starter Kyle Mullen, a Saint Joseph's University recruit, will not be available after throwing seven innings Saturday.

PARKLAND (District 11 champ, 20-6)

Coach: Tony Galucy (7th year, 122-40)

Projected lineup: Jr. RF Andy Brandstetter (.376, 24 R, 13 RBIs); sr. 3B M.J. Miorelli (.416, 9 2B, 22 RBIs); sr. C Jon Gabriel (.476, 10 2B, 21 RBIs); sr. SS Dan Klem (.362, 4 HR, 27 RBIs); jr. LF Joe Abeln (.354, 28 R, 16 RBIs); jr. DH Mike Tenaglia (.293, 3 2B, 8 RBIs); sr. 2B Luke Jaindl (.296, 12 R, 15 RBIs); sr. CF Ryan Korp (.381, 18 R, 14 RBIs); sr. 1B Sam Zaccaro (.178, 5 R, 6 RBIs).

Probable starting pitcher: RHP Andrew Kulp (7-0, 53.1 IP, 2.36 ERA, 63 SO, 24 BB).

About the Trojans: Beat District One No. 3 seed Pennridge 3-2 in the first round of states and District 2 champion Wyoming Valley West in the quarterfinals. Â… Have allowed just 16 runs during their eight-game winning streak.