For the third time in less than two weeks, Frankfort defeated Crawfordsville. After two nail-biting extra inning losses last week to the Hot Dogs, Thursday’s sectional game was not as close. Frankfort won 7-2.
Frankfort jumped on Athenian junior starter Henry Bannon with four runs in the first two innings. The junior gave up three of his total five hits in the first two innings and was behind 4-0 after he pitched the first four innings. Bannon walked five batters including three in the first inning.
Crawfordsville relief pitcher junior Ethan Campbell pitched two innings and surrendered two runs. Sophomore Braeden Scholte pitched the final inning without surrendering a run.
Hot Dog senior starter Alex Lopez was sharp and did not allow a run. He held Crawfordsville to one hit and struck out six in six innings.
Frankfort Coach Andy Dudley complimented his pitcher after the game and explained why he was the starter on Thursday.
“Alex Lopez has pitched really well for us all season,” Dudley said. “He had 12 shutout innings and only one hit allowed against Crawfordsville in two game that included six in the first Monon Conference game and six tonight.”
The Athenians greeted Hot Dog relief pitcher Chris Sandoval with three hits producing their only two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. RBI singles by Konner Ellsbury and Jacob Lee produced the Athenians’ two runs.
Crawfordsville coach Brett Motz said Frankfort made the plays early to put his team behind. He credited the Hot Dogs and Lopez after the game.
“This game came down to (Frankfort) getting the momentum early,” Motz said. “Give all the credit to Frankfort and the Lopez kid has competed well against two weeks in a row.”
With the loss, Crawfordsville says goodbye to seniors Mason McCarty, Matt Miller, Christopher Diaz and Blayne Willhite. Motz has seen the players grow up since coaching them since youth baseball.
“I have been around these guys and watched them grow up,” Motz said. “I hope they will take the lessons of baseball whether they go to college or go to work. We will miss them.”
