PITSBURG – The Franklin Monroe Jets used timely hitting, strong pitching and solid relief work to defeat the visiting Emmanuel Christian Academy Lions 6-3 Friday night in non-conference baseball action.
The Jets outhit the Lions 8-3 in the win.
“We’re starting to come together at the right time of the year,” said Franklin Monroe coach Ben Mangan. “Our record does not reflect the amount of improvement and just how well we are playing right now.”
Emmanuel Christian Academy opened the scoring at the top of the first inning with a run-scoring single for a 1-0 lead.
Franklin Monroe answered in the bottom of the first when Braden Gilbert singled with one out, Matt Byram walked, and Rowan Yount singled to left field to tie the game at 1-1.
The Lions moved back in front at the top of the third, taking advantage of a Franklin Monroe error and adding a run-scoring hit to right field for a 3-1 advantage.
The Jets responded in the bottom half of the inning. Rohan Flory led off with a single to right, Byram drew a one-out walk, and Yount delivered again, driving a single to center field to tie the game at 3-3.
A fifth-inning single by Owen Hosler gave Franklin Monroe the lead for good at 4-3. The Jets added two insurance runs in the sixth inning with the help of two Lions errors and a Gilbert single to make it a 6-3 game.
Yount led the Franklin Monroe offense with three hits in four at-bats, collecting singles in the first, third, and fifth innings. Gilbert added two hits in four trips to the plate.
“We’ve been missing timely hits all year,” Mangan said. “I am glad they are starting to fall. The guys are happy with it, too.”
“Matt Byram had a great overall game, and Braydon Gilbert is starting to see the ball well, and our third baseman, Rowan Yount, dead red,” Mangan added.
Gilbert earned the win on the mound for the Jets, allowing three hits and three runs, one earned, over four innings. He struck out three and walked two.
“Brydon Gilbert started the game strong,” said Mangan. “He was going to be on the count anyway because we have a league game Monday, but very impressed with our relievers. They were able to find the strike zone. Our freshman Grant Klosterman coming in to close it down, excellent job.”
Grant Klosterman tossed one inning of shutout relief, allowing no hits, while Nate Fenstermaker earned the save. The Jets also turned one double play in the win.
Mangan also praised sophomore catcher Matt Byram for his continued growth behind the plate.
“Matt has shown great improvement from the first game we’ve seen him,” said Mangan. “He’s getting stronger, calling some of the calls on his own, so it’s good to see growth.”
BOX SCORE:
123 456 7 R H E
102 000 0 3 3 2 Emmanuel Christian Academy
102 012 X 6 8 2 Franklin Monroe
