The dedication of the Demon Baseball Clubhouse took place Saturday before Franklinton hosted Independence and set the team record for most consecutive wins with a 10-5 victory.

Coach Jeff Tageant, whose team entered yesterday riding a 16-game winning streak, was recognized for his 25 years of service as head coach.

Tageant won his 400th career game Thursday and said things went really well Saturday.

“We had a big crowd of about 150-200 people,” Tageant said. “There were a lot of former players, and it was great to see them. It was like a reunion type thing. Even after the game I hit my third baseman (Jason Phillips), who graduated in 1993, some ground balls. He can still pick them.”

Philips played two years at Southwest Mississippi CC .

Franklinton public address announcer Stuart Varnado served as master of ceremonies.

“He does a goes a great job announcing the game. He creates a tremendous atmosphere for us,” Tageant said.

Some of the people who gave speeches included Tageant, athletic director Jeremy Gueldner and principal Lisa Tanner.

Tageant and his wife Toni, who will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary July 23, were both given a watch by the team.

Tageant said his wife does a lot for the program.

“She’s kept the book ever since I’ve been here,” Tageant said. “She’s the coordinator of the Diamond Girls. Behind everything you see I’ve got going on here, she’s played an important role.”

Following the ceremony, the Demons hit the diamond and were victorious over Independence, extending their win streak to 16.

“It’s hard to explain how hard it is to win that many games in a row,” Tageant said. “There are many seasons where you don’t win 16 games total.”

Terrance Robinson tallied three hits and two runs batted in. Tanner Jenkins was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Morgan Angelo and Josh Magee both finished with two hits. C.J. Estave and Jonathan Crain both had a hit. Landon Magee and Will McCullough had a sacrifice fly each.

Winning pitcher Jared Varnado was tough on the mound and at the plate.

Varnado was the winner in relief, as FHS used four pitchers. He threw two hitless innings with a strikeout and a walk. At the plate, he recorded two hits and a pair of RBIs.

The Demons trailed 1-0 prior to their first at bat but put up four in the first, two in the second, one more during the third and another three in the fourth.

Independence’s other four runs occurred in the seventh.