STATE Update – Franklin National 12-yr-old All-Stars

The State tournament got underway for the 12-yr-olds in Lakeland on Saturday, as the teams from the 6 Districts began pool play in their quest for the State Championship. Franklin faced a very tough West Madison team (68 runs scored vs. 1 allowed in Districts) and fell 7-0. West Madison played solid defense behind their ace on the mound, robbing several Franklin batters of sure hits. Even though Franklin’s potent offense was held in check, Zach Bertram managed to scorch a double to the gap in right-center. But there were not enough hits and West Madison proved the better on the day.

In their 2nd game, Franklin was matched against Eau-Claire’s Lowes Creek. Franklin jumped out to a quick lead, on the strength of smashes by Meyer, Vraney and Wright, capped by Lucas Heder’s 2-run homer in the 2nd inning. Lowes Creek hitter Appleby struck back with at 2-run shot and the score was 6-2, with Peter Oklobdzija hurling smoke on the bump. But it Lowes Creek had the answers, going on a 5-run rally and taking back the lead 7-6. As the Franklin bats cooled, Lowes Creek heated up and took the win, 11-8. Even in defeat, the Franklin squad came back with some big hits by Jimmy Milton, Ryan Busalacchi and Alec Jakubowski but stranding runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 4th and 5th, proved costly.

Going into yesterday’s tilt with Glendale, Franklin was carrying some heavy baggage. Touting a 0-2 record and facing a hot-hitting 2-0 Glendale squad, this game was an absolute must-win. “In the face of adversity, champions are made”…and what fitting words for this game. Behind Heder on the mound, Franklin came out swinging, as Meyer and Wright came around to score in the first taking a 2-0 lead. Glendale was up to the challenge, getting a 2-run shot to even the score. Then the fireworks began…every Franklin batter contributed, hitting laser shots, peppering Glendale with hits and moving runners around with excellent cunning on the bases. Hits by Vince, Matt Vraney, Zach Bertram and Alec Jakubowski were key, culminating in back-to- back homers by Austin Wright and Lucas Heder, the exclamation point supplied by Wright, with a towering 3-run blast to dead-center for his 2nd homer of the inning. When the dust settled, the Franklin rally had scored 11, with 27 batters getting to the plate, and taking a commanding 13-2 lead. Glendale did stave off the mercy with some clutch hitting and had a rally in the 5th, where they managed to score 5 runs. But Franklin’s Lucas Heder again had an answer, smacking his 2nd long ball of the game. Alec Jakubowski then finished Glendale off with some fine relief pitching in the bottom of the 6th for a big win, 17-9.

Franklin is now 1-2 with 2 games remaining in pool play, with another crucial game tonight against the Appleton Lions in Brighton Dale Park in Lakeland. Game time is 5:30pm, hope to see you all there!!!

GO FRANKLIN!!!

STANDINGS Record Runs Allowed

W. Madison Am. 3-0 7

Glendale 2-1 24

Lowes Creek 2-1 19

Appleton Lions 1-2 17

Franklin National 1-2 27

Wausau Northern 0-3 21