South looking for sticks to come alive

While Park Hill South started the season off 0-4 after a trip to an out-of-state tournament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma two weeks ago, the Panthers got onto the winning track last week with two conference wins. Beginning the season with such a slow start was rough, but Coach Josh Walker takes those results with a grain of salt because of the competition, who were already in mid-season form having already played nearly a dozen games.

“The difference between Bartlesville and what we’re seeing this week is the pitching,” Walker said.

Park Hill South won a close 3-2 game against Raytown to start the week when a passed ball in the seventh inning gave the Panthers the advantage. They pulled out another win against Fort Osage 4-3 in extra innings as Austin McCormick laid down an RBI on a suicide squeeze play to bring Matt Gillespie home for the game’s winning run. While the offense hasn’t been spectacular so far this season, pitching and defense has been a solid strength.

“If you play the defense and pitch the way we have, we’re going to be in a position to win, because we haven’t really been hitting that well. We’ll take anything right now,” Walker said.

Michael Somerville, Joel Burkhart, and Avery Booth along with a squad of quality outfielders have spurred the Panthers to their recent span of victories with their play. Sophomore Ryan Cockriel, who pitched six innings recording four strikeouts for the Panthers against Fort Osage, has also been an early season surprise from the pitching mound.

“We took him to Oklahoma as an extra arm, he got an opportunity and did something with it. For a sophomore, he throws strikes and works quick,” Walker said.

The Panthers hope their offensive development comes along further in the coming weeks, adding that pivotal piece to the pie which could cause headaches for local competition.

“I thought we’d be hitting better than we are. I knew our defense would be strong,” Walker said. “It’s a good start though and hopefully we’ve righted the ship a little bit.”

Park Hill South plays William Chrisman and Liberty this week.

Spring Roundup: March 26-31

Park Hill Boys Golf

…after suffering a significant defeat at home to Pembroke Hill (162) and Kearney (163) while their team score of 195 early last week, the Trojans pulled out a close win over Platte County last week at Shiloh Springs golf course to end the week on a high note. The Trojans combined for a team total of 188 strokes while the Pirates came up four strokes close with a score of 192. Freshman Grant Brown medaled with a score of 45 (+9). Coach Zach Dorrell says his team is fighting through the inconsistencies that come with being young and hopes their early season struggles are improved upon as they come out of this early part of the season.

Park Hill South Boys Golf

… ended their week with two tough losses to quality teams after finishing fourth out of 21 teams in the Lee’s Summit North Invitational earlier in the week with a team score of 320. The Panthers lost to Liberty by nine strokes Wednesday before falling to Lee’s Summit West the following day by four strokes 166-162. Matt Barry medaled against Lee’s Summit West with a score of 39. Earlier in the week they finished fifth in a ten team field at the Winnetonka Invitational with a team score of 346.Park Hill South hosts Pembroke Hill and Truman at the National Thursday afternoon this week before traveling to the Sedalia Tournament next week.

Park Hill Girls Soccer

…was not able to build on the momentum they built from their first victory of the season earlier last week as the Lady Trojans lost two conference games against Truman (2-0) in a game where they hit the goal post three different times and then Lee’s Summit West (3-1). Olivia Nowakowski scored Park Hill’s lone goal while Maggie Lanham suffered an injury taking her out of the game. Now 1-5, the Trojans travel to Ruskin in their only scheduled game this week.

“Aside from the record this team has improved a lot from match to match and I am confident that we will string together results very shortly,” Coach Manny Catano said. “We are making some mistakes, but we are working hard to minimize them and continue being a very tight unit.  The girls are having a blast as are we as their coaches.”

Park Hill Baseball

….remained unbeaten last week as the Trojans improved to 3-0 on the season by edging out two close victories over Liberty North and Oak Park. John Balsamo, Jacon Vanvacter, and Jake Jones all had two hits apiece while Zach Thompson drove in Adam Fosdick for the game’s winning run in the final inning. Dalton Moats propelled Park Hill to a 2-0 victory over Oak Park with a complete game shutout which included only allowing one hit and two base runners out of the 22 batters he faced the entire game. Vanvacter produced three hits and an RBI while Jones added two doubles. Park Hill hosts Truman Friday afternoon.

Park Hill South Girls Track & Field

…took eighth out of 13 teams in the Blue Valley Northwest Invite last Friday as Morgan Keesee broke the school shot put record with a throw of 36’1. Audrey Rothers took third in the 300 hurdles while Blake Reser placed third in the triple jump. Tori Kerr finished fifth in the discus throw. They travel to the Kearney Invite this Thursday.

Park Hill Boys Track & Field

…finished 12^th out of 16 teams at the Rusty Hodge Invitational last week. Highlights for the Trojans included Devon Belew’s first place finish in the 400 meter race, Riley Farenholz’s fifth place finish in the 800 meter race, Dondrell Hardiman’s fifth place finish in the 300 hurdles, and a fifth place finish in the 4x200 relay. They compete next at the Jerry Crews Relays at Staley this week.

Park Hill Girls Track & Field

…didn’t fare too well in their first large track meet of the season last week at the Rusty Hodge Invite as they finished last out of 16 teams. Top performers included Taylor Cofield’s sixth place finish in the pole vault along with seventh place finishes in form of the 4x800 relay and Kim Rau in the 3200 meter race. They compete next at the Jerry Crews Relays at Staley this week.

Park Hill South Boys Tennis

…fell to Liberty 5-4 last week. Top singles player Zach Royle won his match convincingly with a 10-4 victory. Him and Jim Geary took the top doubles match as well with a 10-5 victory. Park Hill South hosts William Chrisman at home Thursday afternoon.

Park Hill Boys Tennis

…suffered a tough loss to conference contender Lee’s Summit West last week 8-1 as the Titans took both top singles and doubles matches from the Trojans. Michael Jones fell to Lee’s Summit West’s Heifner 6-1, 6-3 while Heifner and Zhong beat Jones and Max Schoettger in consecutive sets 7-6, 7-3. The Trojans travel to St. Joe Central Wednesday afternoon.