Baseball Recap: Franklin Panthers vs. North Buncombe Black Hawks
Franklin came into Thursday's contest having lost three straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They had just enough and edged the North Buncombe Black Hawks out 4-2. That result was just more of the same for these two, as Franklin also won the last time the pair played on April 1st.
Malachi Hayes was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and only two hits while striking out six over six innings pitched. Hayes has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't pitched less than five innings in three consecutive pitching appearances. Hayes was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Hayes wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Ian Knepp, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4. Knepp has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive pitching appearances. Another player making a difference was Jackson Hursey, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.
Franklin's win bumped their record up to 6-11. As for North Buncombe, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-11.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Franklin will take on East Henderson at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. As for North Buncombe, they will be playing in front of their home fans against Erwin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Erwin is coming into the matchup with three straight losses on the road, meaning North Buncombe will have to defend against a squad hungry for a victory.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
