Baseball Game Preview: Franklin Indians vs. Pikesville Panthers

The Franklin Indians will head out to challenge the Pikesville Panthers at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.

As a matter of fact, Franklin put up the most points they have all season on Friday. They blew past New Town 11-3. Considering the Indians' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.

Meanwhile, Pikesville got the win against Catonsville on Tuesday by a conclusive 13-3. The result was nothing new for the Panthers, who have now won three games by six runs or more so far this season.

Michael Payne spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on five hits and racked up eight Ks. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Spencer Evans and William Holaday did most of the damage at the plate: Evans scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4, while Holaday went 2-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. Those two runs gave Evans a new career-high. Isaac Garonzik was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.

They weren't the only ones working in the hit department: Pikesville kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits every time they've taken the field this season.

Franklin's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-4. As for Pikesville, their record now sits at 4-2.

Franklin couldn't quite finish off Pikesville when the teams last played two weeks ago and fell 10-8. Can the Indians avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.