Franklinton coach Jeff Tageant won his 500th-career game Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory over Pine at home.
“I just think it was a special occasion for the whole community,” Tageant said. “A lot of people have been involved with this program for the last 30 years. A lot of assistant coaches, a lot of players, parents and administrators. I think it’s a testament to the commitment to this program. It’s been a true family affair.
“My wife (Toni) has been beside me the entire time. She has only missed a few games. It was special that both of my sons (Clay and Evan) were on staff (Tuesday) night.”
The victory put Tageant’s career record at 500-259-2.
Tageant is in his 33rd year of coaching and 31st year of being a head coach.
Tageant is a 1982 graduate of Franklinton.
His father was the Demons’ coach from 1966-1972. His father coached the team’s last baseball state championship in 1967.
In Tuesday’s pitchers duel, the teams combined for three hits.
Wyatt Verret and Richard Berry had a hit each to account for Franklinton’s hits.
Verrett drove in two runs and Berry scored a pair of runs.
Jared Jenkins scored a run for the Demons.
Kendall Sheridan doubled and drove home Luke Fonda for the Raiders’ only hit and run.
Both pitchers were on their game and both threw complete games.
Winning pitcher Garrett Maxwell allowed one run on one hit with eight strikeouts and two walks over seven innings.
Zack Lemaire was also solid, allowing two earned runs on two hits with five strikeouts and four walks in his six innings.
Franklinton came up short to Fontainebleau, 4-3, in a road game on Wednesday.
Trent Varnado recorded two hits, including a double and a run scored.
Verret doubled and scored a run.
Jenkins tallied a hit and an RBI.
Bracey, Berry and Jordan McKenzie all singled.
Jalen Burkhalter scored a run and Landon Keller drove in a run for Franklinton.