Russellville’s six-game win streak came to an end Tuesday as the Panthers fell 8-3 to visiting Franklin-Simpson in an important district game at Kelly Russell Field.
Coach Greg Shelton’s team had been on an offensive tear, scoring nine or more runs in five of the six wins, but the Panthers had trouble manufacturing runs against Wildcat pitcher Jeff England, who limited RHS to three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out 11.
Jacob Procter pitched well for the Panthers after a shaky start, but infield errors kept the Cats on the base paths after Procter took charge on the mound. Only three of the eight runs were earned. Procter gave up six hits and four walks while striking out six. Half of the runs scored in the final inning. Barrett Croslin came on to face the final trio of F-S batters, getting two of them out. He walked the other batter, though, and threw two wild pitches.
All four Panther hits were singles, coming off the bats of Croslin, Zach Denney, Jordan Blick and Procter. Croslin, Denney and Blick scored a run each. Procter and Logan Hannah were credited with RBIs. Denney, Hannah and Desmon Quarles worked the walks.
T.C. Stubblefield had two hits for Coach Craig Delk’s Cats. Tim Wimpee, Tyler Knight, Seth Johnson and England added one each. Wimpee and Knight each doubled. Colton Hurt, who was hit by a pitch and reached on an error, stole two bases and scored three runs.
The win improved Franklin’s record to 21-9 overall, 11-4 in the region and 5-1 in the district. Russellville’s record fell to 13-15 overall, 2-8 in the region and 1-4 in the district.