What a run

For the last three years Franklin softball has been firing on all cylinders with roughly the same core group of athletes. In 2021 they surprised everyone when their Sophomore pitcher Trinity Edge shutout annual powerhouse Villa Maria 3-0 to claim the District 10 crown.

That team also had to finish the season with a freshman catcher after their starting catcher was injured late in the year. That fateful event created a collaborative friendship bond between Edge and Kirsten Hicks that has only gotten better each year.. "She(Edge) told me she doesn't want anyone else catching for her," said Edge's mom Tiffany.

Also on that team was the feisty slap bunting lefty sophomore shortstop Syndi Hoobler, a get on base every time freshman outfielder Rilee Hanna, and freshman Autumn Fitzgerald and sophomore Gabby Wimer who stepped up to the plate often delivering.

And they were all there Monday playing at a higher level along with some folks who have been added since that really make this a solid state championship potential level team.

Unfortunately, there is Cathedral Prep, formerly Villa Maria sitting right there in the way.

​Last season they took revenge on the Knights to claim the district title. The pitcher's duel between Edge and Jenna Wagner is reminiscent of Ali/Frazier fights. They punch, counter punch and eventually someone has to lose.

Last year two teams made it out of districts so it didn't much matter who won or lost, except for pride , bragging rights and the hardware in the trophy case.

This year that is not the case and on a dusty field in Hermitage they met for the third straight year for the title.

And it was a dog fight.

Right from the beginning, Franklin bit first taking advantage of a fielding error to go up 1-0

Then Prep countered tearing right into Franklin's gut with a two-run inning that could've been much worse if not for a runner's interference call that saved at least one additional run. Edge had trouble getting pitches cleanly into Hicks glove. Prep battled fouling off a ton of pitches until they either drew a walk or got to hit the sweet spot on the ball for a hit.

Franklin rattled, but not beaten came right back. Again taking advantage of an error to get a baserunner. Stealing second on a passed ball and then advancing on a nice Hicks sacrifice bunt put a runner on third for Gabby Wimer who then tied the game up.

​This set up the trend of the day for the Knights with the bottom half of the line-up really coming through with key hits and scoring runs while the top of the order uncharacteristically struggled.

Prep then came up and made Edge throw a lot of pitches. They got the go ahead run back and proceeded to look to really pounce loading the bases before Edge could get out of the inning.

Then as if watching a tennis match with two great servers, it was Franklin's turn again in the top of the third. Edge tripled and Hanna brought her home on a fielder's choice. Then Abby Boland singled, Hicks bunted her to second and Autumn Fitzgerald drove her home to retake the lead 4-3.

Prep countered again tying up the game at four after three complete innings.

Then Franklin blinked. The top of the order failed to put a single runner on base in the fourth. This was the first break in scoring of the game.

Prep did not blink scoring two in the bottom of the fourth to reclaim the lead for good.

Franklin had some chances again in the fifth but left two runners on base after only scoring one.

Then Prep, who scored in every inning they batted, erupted aided by some misplayed or bobbled balls. They continued to make Edge pitch a lot of balls. the five run fifth put the game out of reach. Other than a solo homer by Abby Boland didn't have much offense left in the tank. 

Prep moves on into the state playoffs while Franklin's excellent season ends. And the run of this core group of friends will become a part of the best teams in Franklin sports history.