| Franklin is a team that has been putting up numbers for a few years now. Oil City is new to this. When they met the last couple of seasons, it looked like Franklin was in college while Oil City was scrapping around in the sandlot. Earlier in the year, despite Oil City appearing to be much improved, Franklin still looked the far superior squad. That was not the case Tuesday when Oil City went toe-to-toe with Mike Tyson and did not cower in the corner afraid. When they got hit in the chops, they returned the punch - over and over again. At no point was anyone on the Franklin team at ease that this game was in the bag. |  |
Oil City kept jabbing. Sometimes they even hit hard. Facing Trinity Edge, the region equivalent to Mike Tyson, Oil City's Abby Foley smacked a home run over the right field scoreboard and brought her team within spittoon distance of their Route 8 rivals at 4-2.
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Again in the sixth inning, Oil City was poised with two runners on base. Sophie Garmong had her second triple of the day with no outs, but the experienced Edge dug deep after a visit to the mound by head coach Chad Hoobler.
That's as close as the Oilers could get. But what an effort.
Franklin just has too many weapons, even with star shortstop Sydni Hoobler on the bench trying to get healthy again for playoffs. Franklin added two insurance runs in the seventh with a scorching worm burner by Abby Boland that rattled the second base player's glove and found its way into right field.
Franklin just has too many weapons, even with star shortstop Sydni Hoobler on the bench trying to get healthy again for playoffs. Franklin added two insurance runs in the seventh with a scorching worm burner by Abby Boland that rattled the second base player's glove and found its way into right field.
The Knights nearly added another when Boland tried stealing home, but the Oilers showed why they are much improved this season and gunned her down at home.
Oil City is hovering just under .500 in Region 4, a region that includes Franklin, Hickory, and Jamestown - all terrorizing teams. In Class 3A, they are only behind Jamestown and Corry in the region and just ahead of Titusville.
They are right there.
Franklin tops the region with only two losses. They are fourth-ranked in the district, according to the Erie Times-News behind Cathedral Prep, General McLane and Conneaut.
Franklin tops the region with only two losses. They are fourth-ranked in the district, according to the Erie Times-News behind Cathedral Prep, General McLane and Conneaut.
When Hoobler gets back between second and third base and returns to slap bunting doubles again, it'll be hard for anyone to hang with them.
On Thursday, Franklin took down a tough Hickory squad 12-8.
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