Franklin's ace Luke Guth was cruising along with efficiency through three innings. The junior only threw 35 pitches when Franklin head coach Brian Schmidt's decided that was enough.
Looking at the scoreboard it became evident, Schmidt was looking at the big picture. Keeping his ace's pitch count low means he'll be fresh and able to go in the next game of the playoffs.
Ethan Nightingale stepped to pitch the rest of the way and despite one pitch that was sent over the fence in left center, he got the job done. The Knights bats lit up intheir first playoff game defeating North East 12-2 in five innings.
The Franklin will meet Hickory in the PIAA 3A semifinal matchup at 4 p.m. Thursday at Slippery Rock University.
The Knights (13-6) came into the tournament as the fifth seed. They now take on the top-seeded Hornets (15-2) who beat Girard on Monday.
The winner of Thursday’s showdown will play in the District 10 championship game on Memorial Day at a time and place to be determined.
In 1A, Rocky Grove (15-3) got a buy into the semis and await the Cochranton (9-7) vs. Kennedy Catholic (6-13)., winner Wednesday The time and location of the semi-final Friday have not been announced.
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