CAMERON — In Game 1 of a Class 3A area-round best-of-three series, it was Troy that struck first but couldn’t get anything more to go its way as Franklin capitalized on the Trojans’ early pitching struggles to produce a 3-1 victory Thursday night at The Yards of Cameron.
Troy (29-3) is now in must-win situations in order to advance to the regional semifinals. Game 2 is at 7 p.m. today and Game 3, if necessary, would be at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Franklin’s defense was highlighted by an impressive outing on the mound by Nolan Gross, who went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just the one run.
The Trojans struck first when Reed Ketcham doubled to center field on the first pitch of the game and scored on Kael Brentham’s two-out single for Troy’s quick 1-0 advantage.
After Troy starter Colt Copeland issued two walks and hit a batter to load the bases, Tucker Creel relieved in the bottom of the first and faced a tough task to keep the Lions off the board.
Franklin (29-3-1) took advantage, getting an RBI single from Noah Tart that scored Wade Stallones. Dylan Stallones then reached first on a fielder’s choice that plated Walker Anderson (walk), and Tyler LeBouf’s RBI single sent AJ Phillips (hit by pitch) home to stake the Lions to a 3-1 lead.
The top of the fourth proved to be hopeful for Troy after Brentham stroked a two-out single and Ryder Sommer walked. Creel knocked a ground ball up the middle that looked like trouble, but a quick throw home from the outfield beat Brentham, who was called out at the plate to keep the Trojans’ deficit at 3-1.
Troy’s Hunter Fryman reached on an infield single to start the fifth but was thrown out at first by Tart after leading off a bit too much. Cole Ketcham walked with two outs and was left on base after Reed Ketcham grounded out.
Copeland walked to begin the top of the sixth, and Martinez’s single to left put two on base to give the Trojans some momentum. With two outs, Creel singled to right to load the bases and send the Troy crowd into a roar. However, Dylan Stallones took over for Nolan Gross on the mound and struck out Fryman to end the inning and leave the bases juiced.
It looked as if Franklin would add to the lead in the bottom of the sixth after Tart singled and Gross walked to put two on base, but Creel struck two out in a row to end the inning and keep Troy within striking distance.
The Trojans tried to rally in the top of the seventh with two outs when Reed Ketcham walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Copeland followed with a single to deep right field, before Anderson made a diving catch on Martinez’s deep shot to left to seal the win for the Lions.