Franklinton falls in Class 4A quarters to 2nd-seeded St. Michael the Archangel

Published 7:05 am Friday, May 13, 2016

BATON ROUGE — Franklinton’s season came to a close Saturday after being defeated in the first two games of a best-of-three series against St. Michael the Archangel, 10-0 and 14-3, on the road.

The opener took place Friday and lasted just five innings.

The second-seeded Warriors scored two runs in each of the first two innings, before adding six more in the fourth.

The 10th-seeded Demons had a chance to get on the board in the third, as the first two hitters reached. Zack Bell, who went 2-for-2, doubled to the right centerfield gap. Caleb McKenzie reached on a fielder’s choice error. He hit a ball to the shortstop. The throw went to third, but the low throw got past the third baseman. The Demons had runners on the corners and nobody out, but a strikeout, followed by a double play, ended the inning.

The Demons loaded the bases in the fifth and had a great chance to score, but came up short. Bell began with a single. After the first out, J.J. Jackson singled. Following a force out at third, Wyatt Verret walked, but Franklinton was unable to score. The game ended with the 10-run rule.

St. Michael’s Ross Scelfo finished with two hits.

The second game was Saturday at St. Michael and Franklinton was the home team, hitting in the bottom half of the innings.

Despite the final score, the Demons were in the game through five innings, as they trailed 6-3 after the fifth. St. Michael tallied four runs in the sixth and five in the seventh.

Franklinton took a 3-1 after two innings when the Demons put up three runs to take the two-run lead.

Franklinton coach Jeff Tageant said St. Michael swung the bat very well.

“You have to give them credit, but I’m also proud our team for competing,” he said.

McKenzie singled, doubled and drove in a run. Jackson and Jamarian Crain both doubled and drove in a run each. C.J. Estave and Collin Dominguez each had a single in the contest.

Franklinton finishes the season with a record of 16-10.

“It was a really good year for us. I’m proud of our seniors,” Tageant said. “Our seniors have won 79 wins over four years. Averaging 19, 20 wins a season is a big deal and it’s a testament to their work ethic.”

The Demons had six seniors this year, including Estave, McKenzie, Bell, Mack McElveen, Austin Miller and Tanner Sanburn.

“I’ve enjoyed working with them. They’re great kids. I’ve watched them grow up the last four years. They all come from great families that have been very supportive to our program,” Tageant said.