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Mosser Strikes Out 13, Hits by Jacoby & Rabenold Lead Parkland Over Liberty
Senior right-handed pitcher Gabe Mosser dominated on the mound today leading the Trojans to an 8-1 win over Liberty. Mosser scattered three hits over six innings of work, allowed only one unearned run, did not walk a batter, and struck out 13 batters. Liberty's lone run was scored in the first inning on two Parkland errors. Senior pitcher Alex Flynn worked the 7th inning retiring the Liberty batters in order with one strike out.
At the plate, the Trojans scored eight runs on eight hits, four of those hits were for extra bases. First baseman Rhett Jacoby (3-for-3, two doubles, 2 RBI, run) and designated hitter Hudson Rabenold (2-for-3, triple, RBI, run) led the way with the bat. Parkland loaded the bases in the first inning when centerfielder Brad Vasilik reached on an error followed by a Rabenold single and walk to catcher Zach Merkle (1-for-2, BB, RBI, run). Vasilik scored Parkland's first run on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1 after one inning of play. The Trojans were blanked the next three innings. Jacoby hit his first double of the game in the 2nd inning, but he would be stranded on the bases.
After going down in order in the 3rd and 4th innings, the Trojans exploded for seven runs in the 5th inning. Jacoby got things going again with a lead off double, Vasilik walked to put runners on first and second base with two outs. The next seven Trojans batters would reach base. Shortstop Chris Rabasco (1-for-4, double, 2 RBI, run) broke the 1-1 tie with a 2-RBI double to put Parkland in the lead 3-1. Rabenold then scored Rabasco with an RBI triple and Merkle drove in Rabenold with the RBI single. The Trojans loaded the bases with a Liberty error and walk and then Jacoby stepped to the plate again and collected his third hit of the day with an 2-RBI single. Right fielder Jeff Strisovsky (1-for-3, RBI) then singled to drive in the seventh run of the inning to give Parlkand the 8-1 lead and eventual win by the same score.
Starting pitcher Ryan Giovenco (5 IP, 4H, 3 SO, 3BB, 1 HB, 2 Runs) worked five strong innings today on the mound for the JV Trojans, striking out three and allowing only two runs, both of which were unearned. Giovenco blanked Liberty over the next four innings before giving way to relief pitcher Matt Mellinger (2 IP, 1 Run, 3 H, 2SO, 1 BB). Mellinger also pitched well over two innings of work, striking out two and allowing one run.
Kyle Novobilski (1-4) singled in the Parkland first inning, but he would be stranded. The Trojans get one run back in the second inning. Austin Mueller (1-2, 1BB, 2 R 2 SB) walked to lead off the inning. Ethan Imler (1-2, 1bb) then singled followed by a Braeden Duff (1-2, 1 rbi, 1bb) RBI single to score Mueller and cut the Liberty lead to 2-1. In the fourth inning, Mueller led off with a single and stolen base. After a walk to Duff, Ben Trinkle (2-2, 1 rbi, 1 hbp) singled for the RBI to score Mueller and tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth.
With 2 outs in the Parkland 5th inning, Michael Jenkins (1-4) singled. Kyle Friebolin (1-3) then doubled to deep right field, but Jenkins was thrown out at homeplate trying to score from first base. The inning ended with the same score at 2-2. Mellinger shut the Hurricanes down in the top of the sixth to keep the game knotted at two. However, in the seventh inning, Liberty scored the go-ahead run. With 1 out and a man on first and third, Liberty put on the hit-and-run. A ground ball hit up the middle glanced off the glove of a diving Jenkins, to score a run and give Liberty the 3-2 lead. Parkland could not get anything going in the 7th, losing 3-2.
Rabasco Verbally Commits to the University of Pennsylvania
Chris Rabasco, Parkland’s junior shortstop and right-handed pitcher, has verbally committed to attend and play baseball at the University of Pennsylvania. The Quakers compete in the Division I Ivy League Conference under head coach John Yurkow. With his current junior year in progress and next year’s senior season to look forward to, Rabasco will join the Quakers in the 2015-2016 academic year. Chris plans to major in one of the science or business fields.
Rabasco was recruited to play baseball by several schools, including LaSalle, Virginia, Penn State, Virginia Commonwealth University, Fairfield, St. Johns, Pitt, Stony Brook, and Ivy League schools. UPenn, Columbia University and William & Mary were the three schools that Chris put on the top of his list after visiting all three schools last fall and spending a day with each school’s coaching staff and players. “All three schools are top level academic schools and they all have beautiful campuses and very nice athletic facilities,” said Rabasco.
It was his visit to UPenn that made it clear it was the school for him. UPenn recruited Rabasco as a two-way player which was another important factor in Chris’ decision. “UPenn offers the ideal situation for me where I will get one of the best educations that this country has to offer, the ability to be a position player and pitcher, and I will have the opportunity to be an impact player as a freshman.” The Ivy League recruits on a different timeline compared to other schools due to the stringent academic requirements, so it was a long wait for Chris to get the good news from Coach Santello. “I enjoyed my interactions with Coach Santello over the past several months and I am looking forward to playing for the Quakers and their coaching staff.”
