FRANKLIN, Ind. – Franklin College senior outfielder Ryan Bixler became the program's career home leader on Saturday (Apr. 3) afternoon as part of the Grizzlies' split with the Hanover Panthers.

Bixler smacked his 30th career home run in timely fashion, belting a go-ahead two-run blast in the bottom of the eighth to help Franklin (9-5) claim a 9-8 win in the opener. Game two saw the Panthers (10-10) hold Franklin's offense in check on their way to an 8-2 win that was called after eight innings due to darkness.

Game One: Franklin 9 – Hanover 8
Down by a pair in when they came to bat in the third, Franklin cut the Hanover lead in half with a two-out RBI single from Jacob Heuchan. Hanover got the run back in the fifth, but Franklin would get the bats going in their next two trips to the plate.

Fifth inning RBI doubles from Heuchan and Sean Sullivan tied the game and the Grizzlies added two more runs to make it a 5-3 game. Bixler and Jackson Young knocked in runs in the sixth to double Franklin's lead heading into the last three innings.

Hanover got back in front with a five-run seventh inning and Franklin remained down by a run with five outs left. That's when Bixler took center stage, smacking a 2-1 delivery with a runner on over the center field wall for his second of the year, breaking a tie with former teammate Frank Podkul and putting the Grizzlies in front for good.

Bixler finished the game going 2-for-3 with three walks and four RBI. Heuchan was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs knocked in. Alex Reinoehl (2-0) picked up the winning decision, tossing the final 2.2 innings for Franklin.

Game Two: Hanover 8 – Franklin 2 (8 inn.)
Hanover plated runs in each of the first three innings before a sacrifice fly from Tysen Lipscomb broke the Panthers' scoring run and made it a 6-1 game. Colby Reed brought a run home with an infield single in the eighth to cap the scoring.

Up Next
Franklin continues their seven-game homestand with two huge games against league-leading Transylvania on Wednesday (Apr. 7) afternoon. First pitch from John P. McDowell Field is set for 1:00 p.m.