Parkland High School Baseball

The Trojans travelled north to Stroudsburg on Wednesday to take on the Stroudsburg Mountaineers with Ryan Giovenco getting the start. The Top of 1 went quick with Michael Jenkins (1B) the lone Trojan reaching base. Giovenco and the Trojans Defense worked around a couple of singles in the bottom half without yielding a run. Top 2 and Adam Mellinger (1B) was the only Trojan with a hit. Bottom of the 2nd had the Mountaineers going 3 up and 3 down, with Giovenco striking out the final batter. The offense got rolling in the Top of 3 with Adam Smith (1B) & back to back doubles by Michael Jenkins and Cullan Wadsworth, an Austin Mueller (1B) & Matt Mellinger sac fly and the Trojans led 3-0. An Adam Mellinger (1B) hit scored Mueller to push the lead to 4-0 going into the bottom of the third. Giovenco and the Trojans Defense did what successful teams do after a big inning by the offense setting down the Mountaineers in order in the bottom half.

The top of the 4th saw an Adam Smith (2B) and CK Kinsley (1B) tack another run on the board for a 5-0 lead. The bottom half of 4 and the Mountaineers were able to get on the board after an error and a single and at the end of the 4th the Trojans lead 5-1. The 5th inning went by uneventful for both teams going 3 up & 3 down. In the Top of 6 the Opportunistic Trojan offense took advantage of Mountaineer mishaps with Adam Mellinger and Will Algard reaching base and a Dylan Miller walk. With CK Kinsley moving the runners over to 2nd and 3rd after Adam Mellinger scored on another Mountaineer miscue. Michael Jenkins then plated Algard and Miller reaching on another error. After 5 ½ the Trojans now led 8-1. Ryan Gioveneco finished his day going six strong by retiring all batters in the 6th via groundout. Cullan Wadsworth reached via error but was the only Trojan to reach base in the top of the 7th.

In the bottom of the 7th Carson Fracas took the mound to finish the game for the Trojans. After a hit batter and an error led to the final Mountaineer run. Fracas finished the game striking out the final 2 batters faced.

The fans in attendance for the much anticipated 2017 season opener at home against Hazleton were treated to both a 4-0 win on Wednesday, and a combined no hitter as Ryan Giovenco(starter) Adam Mellinger(relief) & the Trojan defense held down the Cougars. On a day with conditions that challenge a pitchers ability to command the baseball Ryan Giovenco took the mound and let it be known immediately that he was up to the challenge striking out 3 in the first inning and setting the side down in order in the 2nd & 4th innings while working around a hit batter and walks in the 3rd and 5th to finish 5 innings with 7 strikeouts. The Trojan offense was warming up through the first 3 innings as the lone baserunner was Cullan Wadsworth(1B in the first). The 4th inning saw the Trojan offense mount it's first threat of the game after Cullan Wadsworth reached on an error, then Austin Mueller reached base by fielders choice and advanced to third after a pick off attempt to first went down the line. Back to back walks to Matt & Adam Mellinger then had the bases loaded with two outs, however, the Trojans were unable to capitalize.

In the bottom of the 5th though the Trojans were not to be denied and showed the selfless type of performance as a lineup that successful seasons are made of as Dylan Miller led off with a single followed by an Adam Smith walk; then a sacrifice bunt by Christian Kinsley moved runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and Michael Jenkins' sacrifice fly to right field plated Miller & advanced Smith to third. Cullan Wadsworth then reached on an error as Smith scored followed by a Austin Mueller double to left. With Wadsworth now on third and Mueller on second Matt Mellinger plated the pair with a single and after 5 innings the Trojans were ahead to stay 4-0.

Adam Mellinger took the mound to start the sixth and worked around an error and bases loaded chance for the Cougars. Mellinger then set down the side in order in the seventh to seal the W for the Trojans finish with 2 strikeouts and secure the combined no-hitter. 

EMS - "Always in Service", Police - "To Protect and Serve", Fire - Omnis cedo domus "Everyone goes home", Military - "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic."

It is an extraordinary person who put themselves in harms way for others. Whether it be saving a life of an accident victim, protecting our streets from violence, pulling a child from a burning building, or protecting our shores, these men and women have one name - heroes.

These people don’t do these jobs to get rich or receive medals. The don’t do it to get their name in the newspaper or have a social media post about their actions. They do it for one reason, to help those that cannot help themselves. A large part of what makes America great are the actions of these brave men and women.

The 2nd Annual Hometown Heroes Night will be held April 28th. The Parkland Baseball Booster Club will provide free meals to uniformed Hometown Heroes. They also will be given free raffle tickets for prizes. Those are nice gestures but, do you know what brought a tear to the eyes of our military, first responders, and their families at last year’s event? It was when each Parkland baseball player, one after another shook the hand and thanked the U.S. Army veteran who was on hand to throw out the first pitch. So come on by, watch some Parkland baseball, have a hot dog, salute America, and thank your Hometown Heroes.