Colonials bow to Spartans
MASONTOWN – One day after breaking Albert Gallatin’s career home run record, Gene Franks IV drilled a first-inning double for the lone extra-base hit in the Colonials’ Section 2-AAAA game against Hempfield on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the only other hits AG could muster were a pair of bunt singles as coach Jason Lohr’s squad wasted a 2-1 lead and a solid pitching performance from starter Kevin Uglik in dropping a 12-2 decision in six innings at Masontown-German Park.
It was the Colonials’ fifth straight loss after a 2-0 start. They fell to 0-3 in the section.
“Setting the home run record is an accomplishment,” said Franks, a 6-foot-2 junior who went deep twice on Tuesday against Penn-Trafford. “It’d feel a lot better if our team was doing better. We’re not going to quit, though. I don’t give up, ever.”
The frustrating thing for Franks and the Colonials is the way their losing streak has transpired.
“We’ve had leads in probably three of our last four games,” Lohr said. “If we could stop after four or five innings, we’d be in good shape. We had a 2-1 lead and our pitcher was throwing a no-hitter. Then we let it get away from us.
“It’s like we pedal up the mountain, but can’t quite get over the top. Hopefully, we’re on the verge.”
The Spartans improved to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the section, but were in danger of falling prey to a Colonial upset after four innings.
Hempfield starting pitcher Matt Geary cruised through the first three innings. The right-hander struck out six in a row at one point, allowing only Franks’ double that likely would’ve been career home run No. 10 if not for a strong wind blowing in from left field.
But, after Hempfield scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth, Geary unraveled in the bottom of the inning as bunt singles by Corey Hughes and Mike Kubitza sparked a two-run rally. Uglik was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, then Franks, who reached on a four-pitch walk, scored from third on a balk.
Aaron Bruno relieved Geary with the bases loaded and no outs and slammed the door on AG with three straight strikeouts on just 12 pitches.
“We didn’t make contact,” Lohr said. “When you have the bases loaded and nobody out, you have to put the ball in play. That was a big point in the game right there. That’s something we’re lacking. We have no killer instinct.”
Bruno retired all nine batters he faced, six of them on strikeouts, to earn the win.
Uglik threw 30 pitches in the fourth as the Spartans picked up their first four hits of the game, including a wind-blown single and an infield hit, in scoring four runs to go up 5-2.
Uglik, Kubitza and Franks all pitched in the sixth when Hempfield pushed across seven more runs. The Spartans, who only had two hits in the inning, took advantage of four walks, two hit batsmen and two errors.
Uglik, who was charged with the loss, gave up five earned runs on four hits in five-plus innings.
“I thought Kevin Uglik pitched a pretty good game,” Lohr said. “It just all exploded on us that one inning.”
Patrick Kohl, Greg Meisner and Tony Turchetta each drove in a pair of runs for Hempfield, which only had six hits.
Albert Gallatin committed six errors, but did come up with several defensive gems. Center fielder Jon Angel made two fine running catches in the third, left fielder Hughes made a sliding catch in the fourth, and second baseman Charlie Lawrence and shortstop Franks turned an inning-ending double play in the fifth.
“I’m not the quickest guy in the world, so I’m probably more comfortable at third base or first base,” said Franks, who did make a pair of errors. “But I’ll play wherever coach tells me to play. Whatever is best for the team.”
Franks credits his father, Gene Franks III, an outstanding player in his day who is one of Lohr’s assistant coaches.
“My dad taught me everything I know about baseball,” the younger Franks said. “I’ve worked with him since I could barely pick up a bat.”
Even with his team struggling, Franks has a passion for baseball.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “I could play forever. I want to play the game until I can’t play anymore.”
“He’s only a junior, so those aren’t the only records he’s going to break here,” Lohr said. “He’s well on pace to get four or five more.
“There’s plenty more fireworks to come.”