It’s been a historic season for the Franklin Park baseball and softball teams and both continued their march to state titles as they each won their Class L semifinal games at Rotary Park in Centralia yesterday.
The Bobcats couldn’t of started off any worse, trailing 6-0 after 4 innings, but they turned it around scoring 10 runs in their final 3 at bats to shock Waterloo 10-8 and advance to the Class L state title. Salem is trying to win another state title, since doing it in 2020 during the undefeated season. Owen Tennyson went 3-5 with a double and triple and has been the best hitter in the tournament so far from any team. Salem got 2 doubles from Ben Lux along with one from Zane Applegate. Applegate drove in 2 with RBI from Emit Gibson and Lux. Applegate was the starting pitcher going 5 innings with Rhett Starnes getting the win and Tennyson got the final out for the save. Salem will get a rematch with Marion in tomorrow’s title game after Marion beat DuQuoin 10-9. Salem lost to Marion 7-6 on a walk off hit back on August 21st in a game in Marion. Game time tomorrow at 3pm.
The Lady Bobcats knocked off Carterville 10-7. Salem led 4-1 after the first winning and 4-3 after 2. They plated 3 runs in the 3rd to lead 7-2 and after the Lady Lions tied it at 7 with 4 runs in the top of the fifth, Breanna Pennypacker and Teagan Lobek drove in runs to give Salem a lead they would not give back up. Pennypacker had a huge day with a bases loaded triple as well. Lobek and Kenna Benjamin drove in 2 runs as well. Max Maciejowski added a hit, RBI and 2 runs scored. Emily Parrett got her 2nd win at State going all 7 innings with 12 strikeouts and allowing only 2 hits. Salem advances to Thursday’s softball state title game against Sparta Lincoln who beat Marion 12-1 in their semifinal. The state title game tomorrow will be at 3pm.
In Class M softball at Perry County Fairgrounds in Pinckneyville it was Nashville beating Pinckneyville 7-2 and will play Fairfield in the championship after their 5-0 win over Goreville.
In Class M baseball, Goreville beat NCOE 11-3 and Smithton shutout Nashville 1-0.
In Class S softball at Coulterville, New Hope beat St John’s Red Bud -0 and Century nipped Pinckneyville 9-8.
In Class S baseball, Summersville is in the state title game with their 10-0 win over Our Lady Mt Carmel. They will play Cisne who beat St John’s Red Bud 8-0 in their semifinal.
