Lady Trojans look to take top spot at districts

There are several unique aspects to the Park Hill Softball team’s long awaited resurgence to the top of the standings this season. The Lady Trojans, sporting a 17-6 record coming into district play this week, won two conference games last week, the last of which was a victory against Ruskin that clinched a share of the conference title with Truman for Park Hill. That accomplishment represents the school’s first such title in 17 years, the last was won in 1994.

Head coach Stuart Sullinger took over the Park Hill softball program four years ago hoping to instill a consistent and solid coaching presence after the team had experienced several consecutive coaching changes in previous years. The chance to lead the program in a new direction was also an opportunity to work with his daughter Bethany, an incoming freshman, the same way he was with his older son Jacob in his role as an assistant for the Trojans baseball program.

“It’s been an absolute blessing from God. As it relates to both Jacob and Bethany, I would hope every dad and coach would get to experience all that we have,” Sullinger said.

Bethany, now a senior, serves as one of the Lady Trojans’ captains and star shortstop. But she’s joined by a supporting crew that’s come into their own this season. All-Metro centerfielder KK Rettinger and second baseman Nikki Moss make up the center core of the Trojans defense with three combined errors all season and serve as the team’s top three offensive producers, but Sullinger makes no secret about it, Park Hill’s success this year has been a total team effort and a product of player camaraderie.

“Complete buy-in by every player,” Sullinger said. “They are truly committed to the taks at hand, I can trust them to do their best, and they really care about each other.”

One of the difference makers for Park Hill this season has been the steady one-two pitching punch from their two young pitchers, sophomore Makenzie Porter (13-3, 2.58 ERA) and freshman Audrea Allen (4-3, 3.45 ERA).

“They pitch without conscience,” Sullinger said. “They don't seem to rest on past success or worry about past failure. They go at each batter one pitch at a time.”

With the team’s success, the Trojans will be in a newfound position this week as they head into district play as the second seed. While the Trojans have battled around the .500 mark in recent years during the regular season, they’ve had some district tournament success with two title game appearances after big upsets in as many years. This year Park Hill expects to in that same title game for the third year in a row, not looking to knock off a top seed, but to battle as one of the favorites themselves.

“I'd be lying if I didn't say it feels different. I suppose I perceive more pressure, however that pressure is the adrenaline kick that makes this whole thing so much fun,” Sullinger said. “Keys to our success are always systematically approach every game one pitch at a time with excellent effort and aggressiveness.”

Park Hill has a chance to make some more history this week. As they wait to play Thursday the winner of the Staley and St. Joe Central, the Lady Trojans could win their first district title since 2001, a year they advanced all the way to the state semifinals.