Park Hill came into this season with the expectation of finishing the year better than it started, and that is exactly how the season has gone.
The Trojans had a tough schedule out of the gate, with early-season matchups against Liberty North, Liberty, Platte County and Blue Springs South. It was a tough start against some of the best teams in the area for a Park Hill squad that was waiting for some players to get healthy.
After a 3-8 start to the season, the Trojans have since flipped the season around with 11 wins in their last 13 games. The only two losses in the most recent stretch came in the WOW Wood Bat Tournament against out-of-state competition.
The stretch began in Camdenton at the Laker Wood Bat Tournament on April 11. They defeated East Carter 8-0 as junior Logan Conley struck out nine batters in six innings.
Park Hill came out the next day to win twice against Poplar Bluff 12-2 and 5-0, ending the day with a complete game shutout from junior Bryson Augusto, who struck out nine batters in seven innings.
The Trojans scraped past Blue Springs 3-2 after a 10th-inning single from Jaxon Miller scored Lex Young. Park Hill won its fifth straight on April 15, using a six-run fifth inning to take down Lee’s Summit West 7-6.
After losing two of three at the WOW Wood Bat Tournament, Park Hill returned to winning ways in the Pony Express Tournament. The Trojans got 10-run wins against Savannah and Kearney before winning the championship with a 3-1 victory against Benton on April 24.
Park Hill reached another five-game winning streak with a 13-0 victory against North Kansas City and, most recently, celebrated senior night with a 3-2 win against Fort Osage on April 25.
As has been the trajectory of Park Hill’s baseball team in recent years, pitching is the key to their success. After allowing 5.5 runs per game last year, the Trojans have brought it down to 3.8 this year.
One big difference from last year has been an improvement in close games. Park Hill has found ways to win those close matchups, winning each of the last four games decided by two runs or less.
Park Hill also needed more offensive production for better success, which they have produced this year. After scoring 4.7 runs per game or fewer the previous three seasons, the Trojans now average 6.4 this year.
The stage is set for a strong finish to the season for Park Hill in their final 10-game stretch before districts. They have their first meeting of the season away to Park Hill South on Friday, May 2.