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Franklinton was defeated by North Vermilion, 8-1 and 15-7, in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A state playoffs in the first two games of a three-game series that took place on May 7-8 at North Vermilion.

In Friday’s 8-1 contest, Will Turner went 2-for-3 for Franklinton.

Chase Penton singled and scored a run.

Franklinton led 1-0 after two innings, but North Vermilion tallied the eight runs between the third and sixth frames. They scored two in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and three in the sixth.

On Saturday, Jordan McKenzie had a big game. He tallied three hits and missed the cycle by only a triple. McKenzie hit a homer, doubled and singled.

Banyan Penton singled twice and drove in two runs.

Turner tallied two hits, including a double, and a run batted in.

Micah Wascom doubled and scored two runs.

Chase Penton recorded a hit and two runs scored.

Daylin Sigler singled.

Franklinton led 3-0 after two innings. North Vermilion had two big innings. After cutting the lead to 3-2 in the third and seven in the fifth to go up 9-3. Franklinton trimmed the lead to 9-6 in its half of the fifth, but North Vermilion posted six runs in the seventh to take a 15-6 lead before the Demons recorded a run in the seventh for the 15-7 final.

Sixth-seeded Franklinton went 25-7 this year. The 25 wins are the most wins in program history.

“I think it was a big turnaround because we had a losing record the last two years,” Franklinton coach Jeff Tageant said. “This group found a way to win ball games. It was a great group of kids. I was sad to see the season end.”

Last year, the Demons went 5-8 in a season that was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s team had three seniors in McKenzie, Chase Penton and Isaac Wascom.

“Hard workers. Got after it. Brought a lot of great culture to the team. Great leaders,” Tageant said.

Third-seeded North Vermilion (31-7) reached the finals after defeating seventh-seeded South Terrebonne (21-10),11-10 in eight innings in Sulphur. North Vermilion will play for the title against top-seeded Tioga (29-7). Tioga defeated No. 4 Neville, 8-2.

Tioga is 6-0 in the playoffs, while North Vermilion is 6-1.