The Logan County 15-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars pulled out a thrilling, extra-inning win in the middle game 12-11, but lost two lopsided games on either end of the best two-out-of-three series in postseason action.
Franklin won the first game 10-0. In fact, Logan managed only one hit, a single by Michael Riley.
Jordan Hendrix pitched three innings for Logan, giving up six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Hunter Crafton pitched the final two innings, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out four Franklin batters.
Coach Mike Riley’s team won the second game 12-11 in eight innings. Michael Riley led the 12-hit attack with three hits, including a double. Hendrix not only singled twice but recorded a sacrifice bunt while both Luke Woodall and Crafton doubled and singled. Josh Gant tripled while Jarrod England and Kevin Graves also got a hit. Woodall, Hendrix, Graves and Gant each drove in two runs while England added an RBI. Crafton, Riley, England and Hendrix scored twice each with Ryan Hudson, Woodall, Graves and Gant adding a run each.
Colby Nichols pitched two innings. Even though he didn’t give up a hit, four walks led to a pair of runs. Riley pitched four innings and allowed nine runs on five hits and two walks. Hendrix worked two innings and held Franklin scoreless and hitless. He walked one and fanned one.
Franklin then won the championship by taking the rubber game 10-2. Woodall tripled and singled, picking up the lone Logan RBI in the process. Riley ran his hit total to six for the three games by getting two singles in this one. England also singled.
Crafton pitched two innings, Hendrix five and Riley one. They combined to allow the 10 runs on a dozen hits and five walks while striking out six.
In the picture on this page, shown, from left, front row, are Woodall, Zach Brinkley, Luke Davenport, Graves and Gant; standing, Coach Terry Crafton, Hunter Crafton, Dalton Nash, England, Nichols, Hendrix, Michael Riley, Coach Mike Riley and Coach Tony Nichols.