Franklin 9-10s advance with 'respectable' win

7/17/2023

Owen Hefferman got the game ball for his work closing out Franklin's 12-3 victory over Meadville/Vernon Monday under the Fairgrounds Field lights during the opening round of the 9-10-year-olds Section 1 tournament.

Hefferman was the fourth pitcher in coach Scott Milliron's pitch-count management scheme. He held Mdv/V scoreless. Just prior to his coming in as the closer, the shortest guy on the team first made perhaps the biggest play from the outfield. Mdv/V's Vinnie Streyle blooped one into shallow center. It was too far for Franklin's infield to get to and it seemed like it might drop. But the speedy Hefferman made a diving grab.

The Mdv/V player on second tried to tag up and advance to third. He made it, but shouts from Franklin's dugout of "he never tagged up" screeched through the night sky and Franklin appealed throwing to second.

After a lengthy discussion by the umpires, it was decided the Mdv/V player left early and Franklin was awarded the double play to end the scoring threat and the fourth inning.

Now Hefferman has a slightly beat-up game ball for his trophy case. "His performance at the end of the game...," Milliron paused. "He’s like the little heart of the team. He put in such a good performance there at the end with good plays - that catch and on the mound." He also scored a pair of runs and reached base three times.

A case for game-ball could've also been made for Milliron's son, Grayson. The younger Milliron had a monster game behind the plate, catching for four different pitchers and reaching base on each of his five at-bats.

He scored three times and knocked in four runs to boot.

A game ball could've also been given to the coaches and the keeper of the stat book.

At this point in the season keeping pitch counts low means the coach has options. Franklin only went over with one pitcher out of the four they used. This means they have three of their top pitchers when they face St. Mary's tonight at 8 p.m.

Only Chase Barrett won't be available but will be ready Wednesday or Thursday.

"The boys played a complete game tonight. Good offense, good defense," Coach Milliron said after the game. He was proud of their composure and the respect they showed during the game. "The boys were just gentlemen the whole time, great game. They just let the scoreboard do the talking."

Milliron was happy to be back on the third base line after having to miss last week's championship game due to a wedding. He didn't miss the game however since it was live-streamed.

"It was funny, we were sitting in the reception and I had people I don’t know, that I will never see again, sitting there watching these boys play," Milliron said, "They were cheering every time something good happened, we were jumping up and down. It was hilarious at the reception. Kids playing baseball brings people together. It’s just so cool."

Next up for Franklin is St. Mary's who staved off a surging F.L.A.G. team who came from a 7-2 deficit in the sixth to nearly tie the game but fell just short at 7-6.

"St. Mary’s is a very strong team," Miliron said after watching them play.

He said every team at the tournament was undefeated in their district tournaments.

“We’re just happy to get out with a win tonight," Milliron said Monday. "The kids played great and were respectful gentlemen the whole time. This is just a great group of ball players, I enjoy coaching them. They are so much fun to watch. They are in it the whole game and they pick each other up. They never get down on one another. Things like 'hey you dropped that ball, but don’t worry you’ll get the next one.' It is the coolest thing to coach them because they are all so positive."