For the first time this season, Franklinton will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup on Tuesday. They will take on the Nash Central Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.
If Franklinton beats Nash Central with 11 runs on Tuesday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two contests with that exact score. Franklinton was the clear victors by an 11-2 margin over Sanderson on Monday. That nine run margin sets a new team best for the Red Rams this season.
Gavin Watson made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Watson was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 1-for-4. Those runs were his first of the season.
In other batting news, Conor Simpson was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while going 2-for-4. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in stolen bases. Hudson Deutsch was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Nash Central got the win against Eastern Wayne on Friday by a conclusive 16-1. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Bulldogs.
Like Franklinton, Nash Central also got a great game from a two-way player: Shea Whitley. He struck out seven batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Whitley was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 1-for-3.
In other pitching news, Peyton Harris looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
Back at the plate, Avery Flowers and Micheal Carney did most of the damage at the plate: Flowers scored a run while going 1-for-2, while Carney scored a run while going 2-for-2.
Nash Central always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .643. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Eastern Wayne only posted an OBP of .190.
The win was the third in a row for Franklinton, bringing their record for this year to 3-1. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.7 runs over those games. As for Nash Central, their record now sits at 2-0.
Franklinton came up short against Nash Central when the teams last played back in April of 2024, falling 3-0. Can Franklinton avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
