When I was a kid it was all baseball all the time. I grew up with it being called America's game which I found out years later that it really is a world game and we're really seeing that now. Would still love to see Cuban baseball being played and I think it's time the World Series is more akin to the World Cup. Like every sport, it seems the level of the game has gone down, but the level of the athlete has perhaps gone up? It could be argued hitters were better back in the days of DiMaggio, Williams and Mantle, but it could also be argued they batted against pitchers with much more tired arms. Either way, it sure is fun watching some players today and it's too bad it doesn't get the attention other sports do.
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The seemingly defeated Rockets came out swinging in the seventh. Krepps got an RBI single narrowing the lead to 12-9. With two on and the Rockets big bat coming to the plate, the Knights decided to walk Wynn, who earlier homered, loading the bases. Amelia Warner, in for the injured Eden Gray, drew a hard fought walk that brought in Titusville's tenth run. A wild pitch then made it 12-11 before Swartz dug deep for the final strikeout to end the Rockets comeback. “Ughh,” coach Green said. She didn’t know how to describe the game. “Mac Campbell had one hell of a game in the field and at bat,” she said. Campbell was 3 for 4 scoring three times and knocking in two. She also had a monster catch to stop a Knight’s rally. Green said a few errors and failing to get a couple timely hits was the difference, but her 3-5 Rockets are an improved squad at this point in the season. “Overall we are looking better. (We) just have to minimize injuries and (eligibility) so that we can have the same players in the same positions consistently.” In other sports the baseball team had an 11 hit 6-5 win over Grove City, but struggled against Conneaut. They are now 2-5. Girls track dropped a tough on to Oil City 77-72. "It was a tough loss," said coach Stacey McDonald. "The girls really put in a great effort. They did exactly what I asked them to do. We gave it our best shot, but unfortunately couldn't get the last few points we needed for a win." The boys struggled against the tough Oil City squad, but coach Joe Covell saw great improvement from several of his team who continue to achieve personal best times and distances. They are still 3-2 on the season. Franklin moves to 6-4 overall and are riding a three game win streak despite injuries and a whole lot of black and blues.
Cranberry pitching and bats struggled on the road against Franklin Friday as the Knight's blanked and ten-runned the berries in five innings.
Below are some images from the game.
Track and Field seems to be the only outdoor spring sport getting much traction on their schedule this year. The hardy bunch of athletes might not enjoy the cold rainy two and a half hour meets as much as the sunny warm day, but they are not impeded as long as its not dangerous weather. Franklin didn't fare so well losing both the boys and girl's meets to Slippery Rock this week. Titusville got in a dry meet at home this week, but also were swept by visiting Corry.
Third time was the chilly charm for the Franklin girls softball home game against Titusville. The squads were supposed to play Tuesday, then Wednesday and finally the weather allowed them to get it in on Thursday. Titusville started out with a very good at-bat by Hannah Peterson that resulted in a walk. But then a solid grounder grab by third base Abby Boland, who turned to throw a dart to second for the force in a double play attempt. After a Jordan Wynn hit put two on, freshman starting pitcher Jersey Swartz settled down. She would give up only three hits in five and a half innings of work in the 10-0 win. When it came their time to bat they wasted no time. Jillian Ewing got on bringing up senior captain Kirsten Hicks, who was playing with a heavy heart, losing her grandfather earlier in the day. Hicks at-bat was one to remember. She drilled a foul off her left leg. After a short recovery time, she got back in the box only to do it again. The hobbled catcher got right back in the box and proceeded to foul off three more to the left side before finally connecting on one that dropped a few feet from the left foul line. The hit was good enough to score Ewing for the first run of the game. The Knights weren't finished, a courtesy runner in place gave Hicks a chance to rest her bruised leg while Rylie Hanna and Boland both reached loading the bases for Gabby Lederer who knocked in two. All in all, they scored seven first-inning runs to set the tone. "Our bats have been good," said Franklin head coach Mike Hanna. "If they keep hitting the way they have been (in the first two games,) I stay out of the way and step back and watch." Hanna said they also hit well in their first game against Rocky Grove where the Knights scored 11 runs on 16 hits. In that game, Swartz gave up two runs on seven hits. Hanna said the loss of two key seniors, Sydney Hoobler and Trinity Edge last year, are tough shoes to fill, but he's so far pleased with how everyone is playing. "It's a little different dynamics with the two new freshmen and they are going to have to figure out their identities are going to be and move forward," he said. "We're progressing each game and it looks pretty good to this point and I hope it continues." In the second inning, they started right back at it with Boland walking and then scoring on Lederer's triple. Autumn Fitzgerald then plated Lederer on a single. At the end of two, the Knights were up 9-0 Titusville switched pitchers bringing Wynn in to relieve starter Sky Bierce. Franklin added only one more run in the third before being shutdown in the fourth. Titusville struggled to get anything going. Head coach Megan Green said the team hasn't been able to get much outdoor practice so far this season and is still trying to figure out player positions in this still very young season. "There are a lot of girls (who) are eager (to play), but it is finding that right blend and that chemistry we just haven't found yet," she said. "But it's only the first game." Several solid multiple sport athletes return for Titusville with Dani Fonzo, Rylie McGarvie, Abbie Collie, Gabby Peterson, Kasey Frepps and Hannah Peterson joining Wynn. "They have so much softball experience," said Green. "They just have to believe in themselves and that's when we'll see the shining stars." Titusville will play Oil City on April 2 in their home opener. Franklin will also play on April 2, but on the road against Grove City.
We received a couple requests from readers wondering how they can go about purchasing photos from the state championship game and a couple others. We apologize for not being better at uploading photos to our purchase site in a timely manner.
We posted many photos to this link of Franklin Basketball link from the playoffs and a couple other games that we had on our desktop, Please share with others who might be interested. Visit: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p458954501 for more. Purchasing photos is one of the many ways to help support local journalism. Other ways are purchasing ads on our website. Email us for more information at 8and322@gmail.com. “He’s blind, he’s deaf… I want to be a ref.” Things like this being shouted from student “superfan” sections are one thing, but when the harassment from parents and grand parents escalates that is something else entirely.
Without officials, your kids do not play! Let that sink in next time you let your emotions overtake your tongue and finger pointing. Schroeder has reffed basketball and volleyball for nearly 60 years and credits many of his family vacations on the extra income he earned from donning the black and white stripes. Varsity officials get $80, JV, $59 and junior high $54 per game.
So it’s beginning to pay off. "This is a great way to get young people into officiating," said Leah Ann Williams, who is organizing other ways to increase the number of local officials. "He and his wife Lisa have been huge proponents of this program, including registration, assigning and mentoring these young officials."
Williams was recently promoting a series of workshops on Sunday afternoons in Sharpesville. "There is a great need for officials in all sports. As a 25-year basketball official and a five-year football official, recruitment of new referees is important to me," said Williams, who is helping organizing and publsizing this recruitment initiative. "I'm a 60 year old retired teacher, former coach and college athlete.” One of the issues is just that, Williams is 60 and she is one of the younger officials. Schroeder has been doing it for over 50 years, almost 60 so you can do the math on his age. And he’s not the oldest. “My mantra: 'If I can do it, you can too’,” Williams said.
Anyone interested in helping keep youth sports thriving can check out one of these informational clinics held from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 7, 14 and 21 at the Sharpsville High School. Williams and her fellow referees will cover a variety of information, including how to become a PIAA official and the Junior Officials program for high school students at least 16 years old. Officials representing basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, and track and field will be on hand to cover the following:
LaVan is also on hand to talk with high school students about Junior Officials program in all sports. Those interested in becoming a PIAA Official or Junior Official can take the PIAA test on April 21 at Sharpesville or schedule it on their own for a later day. The group kicked off the effort earlier this month and was encouraged by the turnout. "We had 10 new officials in six different sports signed up at the first session on March 10. This includes five new Junior Officials," Williams said. There is no preregistation requirements, but those with questions can reach out to Williams at Turtle3116@gmail.com. |
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