Baseball - Latrobe vs Franklin Regional

First inning bats power Franklin Regional baseball to 5-3 win at Latrobe

Franklin Regional opened with four runs off a two-out rally in the first inning, then held off a late-game comeback by Latrobe, for an important 5-3 section game win at Latrobe. After loading the bases in the first inning, the Panthers got on the scoreboard when Michael Klingensmith's two-out single drove in Anthony Muraco from third. Next batter Zach Seamon's single on a 3-2 pitch with the baserunners moving drove in three more runs to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead before Wildcats' pitcher Griffin Clark caught Timmy Quinn looking at a called third strike to get out of the inning. The Panthers added another run in the second inning while quashing Latrobe scoring chances by turning ground balls into double plays in the infield. 

Latrobe got on the board in the fifth inning when Ben Rafferty singled to score Connor Mondock from second base. The Wildcats looked like they might catch the Panthers in the sixth after scoring a pair of runs and loading the bases with two outs, but Panthers' reliever Alex Frey struck out Adam Wolford swinging to end the threat. 

Palmer Jackson started on the mound and pitched 4- 2/3 innings to pick up the Panthers win. Bronson Ianno and Alex Frey threw in relief with Frey striking out 3 and picking up the save. Griffin Clark went 4- 2/3 in picking up the loss for the Wildcats, with Tucker Knupp throwing the final 1- 1/3 for Latrobe. 

Zach Seamon went 2-for-3 for the Panthers and Louie Kegerreis 2-for-4. Shane Sciorilli had a double for Franklin Regional. Connor Mondock went 2-for 3 and Hunter Stumpf 3-for-4 with a double for Latrobe.     

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.