WORCESTER – For the primary time in 60 years, a rematch within the Division 1 state remaining is on deck.
Austin Campbell threw 5 shutout innings whereas Esig Chin collected a pair of hits and scored two runs as No. 1 Franklin blanked No. 21 Methuen, 4-0, on Tuesday night time at Holy Cross to earn a date with Hockomock Kelley-Rex foe Taunton within the championship sport.
Franklin will look to avenge final yr’s defeat by the hands of the Tigers within the remaining sport. It’s the primary Division 1 state title rematch in Massachusetts since 1962-63 when Chicopee beat Somerville in consecutive seasons.
“I think we have great leadership,” Franklin coach Zach Brown mentioned. “It hasn’t always been easy, especially with off the field situations, but guys have stayed together. I am really proud of their effort.”
The win supplied a sliver of pleasure in an in any other case emotionally turbulent time for Franklin. For the second time this spring the Panthers misplaced a classmate as sophomore Anthony Gates died in a automotive accident on Wednesday night time. His staff’s resolve via heartbreak has introduced consolation to Brown.
“I think a lot of times these guys use baseball as their sanctuary,” Brown mentioned. “They come to practice, come through the gates, and it all dissolves away … then it ends and reality hits. There’s a real brotherhood with this group. They’re connected. Looking out for one another. And that’s what makes me the most proud.”
Franklin (23-3) struck for a pair within the backside of the primary as three singles, a balk, and a pair of free passes allowed Esig Chin and Henry DiGiorgio to cross the plate and put the Panthers up 2-0. The Panthers added single runs within the backside of the third and fourth. In the third Rex Cinelli’s RBI groundout scored Luke Sidwell and within the fourth Chin doubled and later crossed house on a Ben Jarosz sacrifice fly.
That was all of the help Campbell and reliever Dillon Cashin wanted. Campbell scattered three hits and fanned seven to work round 4 walks. He stranded two runners within the second and fifth innings and left the bases loaded within the third. Cashin got here on and labored out of bother within the sixth earlier than retiring the aspect so as within the seventh.
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