“We had a pretty successful season so far,”
- Franklin head coach Chad Hoobler
Photos from Franklin's recent 10-1 win over Grove City. More photos can be seen by clicking this link: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p743917692
| Story by Jill Harry The Franklin Knights softball team is heading into the final week of the regular season with all their pre-season goals completed or within reach. Be the champs of their region – done. Finish the season undefeated – 16-0 with three games left. Repeat as District 10 4A winners – currently ranked number one. “We had a pretty successful season so far,” said first-year head coach Chad Hoobler. So successful that they have only gone the full seven innings five times. They have scored nearly 200 runs already while allowing their opponents only 25. |  |
“We like to average double-digit runs each game because it takes the pressure off the pitcher,” Hoobler said.
It’s a system that seems to be helping their ace starting pitcher, junior Trinity Edge, thrive. She is ranked second among all pitchers in District 10, according to the Erie Times-News.
It’s a system that seems to be helping their ace starting pitcher, junior Trinity Edge, thrive. She is ranked second among all pitchers in District 10, according to the Erie Times-News.
Edge is second in strikeouts (111) and first in wins (13), and has an ERA of 1.32 going into the Knights’ recent game against Grove City.
But she isn’t Franklin’s only standout player.
But she isn’t Franklin’s only standout player.
“I’m blessed with nine solid ball players who work together as a team.”
“It’s been a total team effort,” Hoobler said. “I’m blessed with nine solid ball players who work together as a team.”
Looking over all the stats available on the Erie Times-News website it’s easy to find evidence of that claim. Six of the players are listed within the top 20 rankings in different offensive categories prior to Thursday’s game.
“I don’t remember a team that has been as dominant. This team has been sheer power at the plate,” he said.
Looking over all the stats available on the Erie Times-News website it’s easy to find evidence of that claim. Six of the players are listed within the top 20 rankings in different offensive categories prior to Thursday’s game.
“I don’t remember a team that has been as dominant. This team has been sheer power at the plate,” he said.
Junior Sydni Hoobler leads the team with 33 hits and a batting average of .635, which places her fourth in the district. Edge is eighth with 24 hits and a .571 batting average. The team’s sole senior, Brandi Atwell is 20th with 20 hits and a .500.
Hoobler is ranked top in the district for runs scored at 29. Sophomore Rilee Hanna and freshman Gabriella Laderer are tied for eighth with 22 each.
Laderer leads the team with doubles at 7 (seventh in the district), home runs with 3 (14th in the district) and RBIs with 25 (sixth in the district).
And freshman Abigail Boland leads the team with triples, tied for 11th with a large number of players throughout the district.
Hoobler is ranked top in the district for runs scored at 29. Sophomore Rilee Hanna and freshman Gabriella Laderer are tied for eighth with 22 each.
Laderer leads the team with doubles at 7 (seventh in the district), home runs with 3 (14th in the district) and RBIs with 25 (sixth in the district).
And freshman Abigail Boland leads the team with triples, tied for 11th with a large number of players throughout the district.
Hoobler is also having a standout season running the diamond. She is currently ranked at the top of the district and the state in stolen bases with 28.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how hard-working of a team this is,” coach Hoobler said.
And the work has played off.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how hard-working of a team this is,” coach Hoobler said.
And the work has played off.
Thursday, the Erie Times-News ranked the Franklin Knights at the top of the 4A class standings. “With Villa Maria and Warren losing games this week, it’s time to get the Knights into the top spot with an undefeated record,” Times-News reporter Tom Reisenweber wrote. He also named Laderer among the breakout stars of the district and said the team was the “likely top seed.”
Heading into the last three games of the regular season, one regional and two non-regional, Hoobler says the team plans to focus on improving more each day.
“We just want to take it one game at a time from here and continue getting better.”
Heading into the last three games of the regular season, one regional and two non-regional, Hoobler says the team plans to focus on improving more each day.
“We just want to take it one game at a time from here and continue getting better.”
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