FRANKLINVILLE — The Pine Valley Panthers were victorious twice over Franklinville in the last week during league play, although Franklinville got the better end in their third meeting. On Wednesday night, Franklinville had a 6-1 lead heading into the seventh, but Pine Valley had the tying run on third and fell just short 6-5 in a Class D quarterfinal baseball game.

“We have had some crazy games against Pine Valley this year,” said Franklinville coach Mark Blecha. “Pine Valley is a good team from top to bottom and they fight hard to the end. A lot of the reasons these games have been crazy this year is due to the pitch count. I feel like we spend more time counting pitches than we do coaching the kids.”

Franklinville took control early, as their first three batters got on base and scored. Jacob Peters led off with a double before Brock Blecha had an RBI single. Ben Mooney reached on a fielder’s choice where there was an error and scored on another mistake later in the first inning.

Franklinville would add another run in the second as they conducted a two out rally, highlighted by an RBI single from Blecha.

Pine Valley would finally put some offense together during the middle innings. In the fourth, Kevin Hunt led off with a single. Dakota Loop would follow with an RBI double that was hit over the center fielder. The inning would end on a double play after the left fielder caught a fly ball and had a perfect relay to throw out a runner at home after tagging from third.

Pine Valley would get the bases loaded in the fifth. Corey Ellis singled prior to Zach Mansfield and Branden Libby receiving free passes. Franklinville would turn to their ace, Brock Blecha. Blecha’s first pitch went into the dirt as a wild pitch, but catcher Jacob Peters was quick at retrieving the ball and made a perfect throw to Blecha to cut down a Pine Valley runner for the second consecutive inning. After a walk, Blecha would record a strikeout, which would leave the bases loaded.

“That was one of the first times that happened this year,” said Mark Blecha. “We made some great defensive plays that we usually don’t make so I am very pleased with our positioning and decision making.”

Franklinville would add two more insurance runs in the sixth, which would prove to be pivotal later in the game.

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After No. 9 hitter Gage Farington led off with a single and stole second, Blecha and Conner Burrell would both contribute RBI singles.

Pine Valley would put together its best offensive inning in the seventh as they strung together multiple hits with two outs. Franklinville took Blecha out of the game when he reached his maximum number of pitches so he can pitch again in their next game. Starter Jacob Peters returned to the mound. Mansfield led off with a walk before Trent Mihalko’s RBI double. Hunt would be intentionally walked at the time where Dakota Loop hit a two run double that hit the left field fence. Stephen Crisanti reached on an error by the center fielder before Ricky Johnston hit a single to put runners on first and third. Peters would strike out the last Pine Valley batter after a long at bat with three foul balls to preserve the victory.

Pine Valley coach Chris Buczek summed up the game by saying that they made mistakes early that they could not overcome, and he had a few decisions that he would like to change.

Jacob Powers received the win for Franklinville where he pitched a total of five innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out four. Blecha pitched 1.2 innings during relief, where all five of the outs he recorded were strikeouts.

“Brock and Isaac Kopp, my number two, are both available next game,” Mark Blecha stated. “If the game would have been tied in the seventh, I would have went to Blecha, but I am very pleased with how the pitch count was after the game.”

Pine Valley pitchers gave a valiant effort in defeat. Starter Stephen Crisanti pitched 3.2 innings where he surrendered four runs (two earned) from four hits and one walk while fanning four. Kevin Hunt pitched 2.1 innings of relief where he gave up two runs from three hits and four walks while striking out one.

Blecha led Franklinville with three hits and two RBI’s. Gage Farington also had a multiple hit game where he and Peters hit doubles.

“Gage hasn’t hit too well this year,” stated Mark Blecha. “He has great speed and is known for his work in the outfield. However, he has been swinging the bat better lately in practice and the hard work proved beneficial today.”

Dakota Loop had the lone multiple hit game for Pine Valley as he hit two doubles and had three RBIs. Mihalko also hit a double.

Franklinville plays at Brocton today. According to Blecha, “We played Brocton last year although we haven’t seen them this year. It should be a great competitive battle as it was last year in the playoffs.”

Pine Valley loses eight seniors to graduation. “I love them all,” said Buczek. “They are a great group and will be missed.” Mihalko, Mansfield, Loop, Trent Leverentz, Brody Sercu, Ricky Johnston, Nick Gage, and Crisanti all played their last games in Panthers uniforms.