Stephens County Indians fall to Franklin County, 4-3, in high school baseball

The Franklin County Lions scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday night and came from behind with a 4-3 win over the Stephens County Indians.  The win was the first game of a three-game, Region 8-Triple A series.

Stephens County scored a run in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI double by Ben Stowe. The Indians used an RBI single by Cruz Mullinix and another RBI double by Stowe to take a three to nothing led after five innings.

Franklin County scored an unearned run on a wild pitch to get on the board in the top of the sixth.

The Lions got singles from Landon Bruce and Ty Peeples to lead off the top of the seventh. Dee Oliver was safe on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with nobody out.  Ayden Garmon then struck out the next two batters.  A wild pitch got the Lion’s second run across the plate.  Coach Greg McCall ordered Kayne Jinks to be intentionally walked so that there would be a play at any base for the final out.  But first baseman Chandler Coulter punched a hit through the infield and two runs scored.

Senior left hander Miles Dodd came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and struck out the side to preserve the win for Franklin County.

The win, the sixth for the Lions, spoiled a great pitching duel between Landon Gailey of Franklin County and Cruz Mullinix of Stephens County.  Mullinix went five and a third innings, gave up just one run and struck out eight while walking four.   Ayden Garmon took the tough loss, giving up three runs on just two hits and fanning four.

Gailey pitched five innings gave up three runs and struck out seven.   Duncan Beasley came on in the sixth inning for the win and Dodd got the save.

Stephens County’s record is now 7-6 and 0-1 in the region while Franklin County is 6-5 and 1-0 in region play.   The final two games of the series will be played Friday in Carnesville in a double-header starting at 5pm.  WNEG Radio will broadcast both of those games, starting with air time for the first game at 4:45PM.