Franklinton’s summer baseball season started a week late due to all of the rain and then the Demons found themselves down 5-0 after an inning and 6-0 through three, but an eight run sixth keyed a 12-8 victory over host Lakeshore Wednesday.

“It was disappointing at first,” FHS coach Jeff Tageant said. “I was a little disappointed with the effort, but it was nice turning it around. We got some hits, put the ball in play, we put some pressure on them and that’s what we have to do.”

Franklinton High School began getting back into the Northshore Summer Baseball League game in the fourth and fifth inning.

Johnathan Crain, who went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in, began the fourth with a single before advancing on a wild pitch and scored on Trevor Jenkins’ run-scoring single to make it 6-1.

The Demons continued to get closer with three in the fifth.

Josh Magee, who finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a run batted in and two walks, led off with an infield single.

After a walk to Landon Magee, C.J. Estave, who had three RBIs, plated both Magees with a two-run double down the left-field line and LHS’ lead was down to three. Morgan Angelo, who also singled, sacrificed courtesy runner J.J. Jackson to third and Jackson scored on Crain’s RBI groundout and the Demons were within two after five.

The Demons completed the comeback in the sixth by plating eight runs on just three hits, while walking four times and taking advantage of four Lakeshore errors.

Trevor Jenkins, who went 2-for-3 with a walk, along wih Trevor Davis set up the big inning by walking before Logan Jordan loaded the bases by reaching on an error.

Josh Magee then blooped a ball to shallow right. Jordan, who had to hold up in case it was caught, was forced out at second, but Jenkins scored to trim the lead to 6-5.

Landon Magee then reloaded the bases for Estave, who coaxed an RBI base on balls, sending Davis home with the tying run.

Angelo then blooped a ball to center. The throw went to second, but the fielder was off of the bag. Josh Magee would’ve scored anyway and Franklinton had its first lead 7-6 and the Demons never looked back.

Crain provided some insurance with a two-run double center, plating Landon Magee and courtesy runner Jackson for a 9-6 advantage.

“Coach always talks about extending the lead,” Crain said. “So, when I came up to the box and I saw two runners in scoring position, I was going to do my job.”

The inning continued, as Mack McElveen stepped in and hit a high chopper to the pitcher. The throw to first would’ve been close, but the throw was errant, allowing courtesy runner Jamarian Crain to score for a 10-6 advantage. Major McElveen, who had a single earlier, was the second out, but it was a productive one, as Johnathan Crain scored and the Demons led 11-6. Trevor Jenkins finalized the scoring when he reached on an error, which sent Mack McElveen home.

What was a 6-0 deficit for Franklinton through three was suddenly a commanding 12-6 lead after 5.5 innings.

Lakeshore continued to battle back and scored two in the sixth, but Austin Bradford pitched a three-up, three-down seventh to close out the win.

Angelo got the win in relief of Mack McElveen.

Angelo allowed two runs (both unearned) in three innings with five strikeouts and no walks.

McElveen allowed six runs (three earned) over three innings with six strikeouts and two walks.

McElveen did a nice job of rebounding after the opening frame, allowing just one run over the next two.

“Mack struggled a little bit early, but he found it and started throwing well,” Tageant said. “Morgan came in and threw well and Bradford was lights out like normal. It was a good way to start the summer to get a win.”