The Parkland High School softball team found itself back in the District 11 playoffs this season after a couple of seasons in which it didn’t qualify. The Trojans won their first round game before falling in the quarterfinals to conclude the season.

After the year ended, longtime head coach Barry Search announced his retirement. Search led Parkland to a state championship in 2015 and was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Search, who became the Trojans’ head coach in 2010 after serving as Glen Ray’s assistant from 1990 to 2009, went 289-84 in a storied career that included seven conference championships, five district titles and two appearances in the state finals, including the PIAA title in 2015.

“Over a decades-long career, coach Search has built a program defined not only by wins but by character, resilience, and community,” said Parkland athletic director Andy Stephens in a press release. “Under his leadership, countless athletes were developed on and off the field, carrying lessons of teamwork, discipline, and integrity far beyond the game.”

The Trojans completed the 2026 season with a 9-13 overall record and 8-8 mark in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, defeating East Stroudsburg South 11-8 in their first game at districts before falling to Freedom 10-0 in the quarterfinal round.

“I thought the season was a very positive one,” Search said. “We achieved one of our goals of qualifying for districts and won a game there. We obviously wanted more, but I’m proud of the team and all they accomplished.”

Senior Elizabeth Pinkham led the lineup with a .484 batting average with 31 hits and 21 RBIs and runs scored. Classmate Addison Fritzinger finished with a .460 average with 29 hits, 22 RBIs and 14 runs scored.

Sophomore Gabriella Morrison recorded a .391 average with 18 hits, 15 RBIs and scored 11 runs. Senior Shayla Jenkins tallied a .371 average with 13 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Inside the circle, Fritzinger had a 5.60 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched.

Search, 78, is a retired Parkland science teacher. He was also an assistant football coach at the school from 1975 to 2021. He was also a fire chief with the Woodlawn Fire Department and was honored for his 50 years of service as a volunteer firefighter.

After the game, which proved to be his final victory, Search talked about the likely end of his career, saying it was time to spend more time with his family, particularly his wife, Ruth.

He expressed appreciation for all of the players he coached and the coaches he worked with, and said of the 2026 squad, “I’m really proud and happy for them because they battle and today, they finished the game and they avenged a previous loss. They gave us everything they had and that’s all you can ask.”

A half-century of coaching went by quickly.

“It seems like just yesterday it started,” said Search. “And here we are, 51 years later. Always enjoyable working the kids. I spent 47 years with the football program, 35 with softball and five with track & field. Parkland has been great. It’s one of those deals where you turn and look and you’re 78 years old. It was a great journey.”