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. 

The three time defending District XI Champion Parkland Trojans defeated the previously unbeaten Bangor team on a balmy Memorial Day afternoon.  A nice ceremony honoring our Military with Navy Veteran Charlie Shaw throwing out the first pitch preceded the victory.  The Trojans in winning today’s game punched their ticket to play in their fourth straight District XI Title Game. 

On the mound for today’s game was Mike Jenkins (7 inn, 3H, 5K, 1ER), the Parkland ace who looked sharp in earning the complete game victory.  In the field the Trojans played excellent defense in support of the Jenkins’ three hitter. 

It did not take long for the Trojans to score their first run and it was done in dramatic fashion by Austin Mueller (2-3, HR, R, RBI) in the second inning.  Mueller after hitting a long foul ball which easily cleared the right field fence stood poised at the plate awaiting the next pitch.  That pitch was again sent skyward to right field but this time it wasn’t foul.  It sailed over the fence tying the game at 1-1 but, it also seemed to shift the momentum in the Trojans favor as he circled the bases.

Kyle Friebolin (0-2, HBP) led off the fourth and was hit by a pitch by the Bangor starter.  CK Kinsley (0-0, R) ran for Friebolin and he advanced to second on a ground out by Matt Mellinger.    Isaac Neal (0-2, BB) and Ethan Imler (0-2, BB) both walked, loading the bases.  That brought up Jenkins (1-3, RBI) who singled to right scoring Kinsley. 

The Trojans had runners on base in the first inning with Tyler Bruno (0-2, BB), the third and seventh with Andrew Roth (1-3, BB), and the sixth as Mueller picked up his second hit of the day.  While they were unfortunately left stranded, it did not matter on this day as Jenkins seemed to get stronger in the later innings. He retired the last ten batters he faced, including a strike out to end the game. 

EJ Brandt stepped to the plate as Matt Mellinger stood poised at second base representing the winning run in the bottom of the 8^th inning against Pleasant Valley.  On the second pitch he lined a single to centerfield scoring Mellinger and sending the Trojans on to the next round of the District Playoffs.  After EJ was given a hero’s shower, reflection of the final two innings displayed just how big the heart the Trojans had on this afternoon.

Pleasant Valley came to play on this weather challenged day at Parkland High School’s Stadium.  Going into the bottom of the 7^th inning they held a 5-2 lead on sound, aggressive play.  The Trojans did scratch out two runs as Tyler Bruno (1-4, R), Kyle Friebolin (2-3, BB, RBI), and Austin Mueller (1-4, R, 2 SB) efforts helped keep Parkland in the game.  It was after an out was recorded to start the 7^th that the Trojans offense really came alive. 

Needing three runs Isaac Neal (0-2, BB, R) showed patience and started the rally with walk.  Brandt came to the plate and worked a walk as well.  Christian Burgos (1-1) came off the bench and smoked a pinch hit single to center to load the bases.  A wild pitch scored Neal and John Amato (0-0, R) who was inserted as a pinch runner for Burgos advanced to second as Brandt took third.  Up came the top of the order with Andrew Roth (1-4, RBI, SB) and the Trojans trailing 5-3.  Roth drove a pitch the opposite way into left field driving in Brandt and pushing Amato to third.  Cullan Wadsworth (2-4, RBI) followed with a single of his own to plate Amato and tie the game at five.  Pleasant Valley was able to stop the bleeding and send the game into extra innings. 

Adam Smith (1 inn, 2K, 0 ER) strode to the mound after the strong efforts by both Ryan Giovenco (5 inn, 5K, 4 ER) and Braeden Duff (2 inn, 3K, 0 ER).  Pleasant Valley was overpowered by Smith as he struck out the first two batters and then induced a weak fly ball to centerfield for the third out.

The bottom of the 8^th started with a walk to Mellinger.  Neal placed a perfect bunt to advance Mellinger to second.  At that point Brandt (1-1, BB, RBI, R)  looked for his pitch and drove a single to centerfield scoring Mellinger (1-2, 2BB, R, SB) easily.  As Brandt was mobbed by his teammates, the Trojans' faithful cheered the heroics of both Brandt and the team's effort that brought about this afternoon’s victory. 

Ryan Giovenco (7 inn, 3K, 0 ER) pitched well enough to win on this night but Freedom was able to find a way as they squeaked by the Trojans in the EPC Semi-Final game. 

The Trojans started their half of the first with Andrew Roth (1-3, ROE, R) hitting a ground ball down the third base line.  A nice play by the third baseman stopped it from going down the outfield line, but as Roth hustled to first the hurried throw sailed out of play sending Roth to second.  A passed ball sent Roth to third.  Tyler Bruno (0-2, BB) walked and Kyle Friebolin (0-3, RBI) put the ball in play to score Roth on a fielder's choice. 

The Trojans picked up two hits from Cullan Wadsworth (1-3) and Matt Mellinger (1-3) the rest of the way but could not mount a rally.  Freedom managed to plate two runs on a sacrifice fly and on an infield hit to secure the win.