MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Franklin College baseball team faced a pair of stiff tests to close out opening weekend, taking on Webster on Saturday (Feb. 24) and North Central on Sunday (Feb. 25).
 
The Grizzlies (1-2) dropped both contests to close out the first weekend, falling to Webster 7-1 and North Central 18-14.
 
Saturday: Webster 7 – Franklin 1
The Grizzlies got their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single from AJ Sanders, but Franklin found offense tough to come by as they managed just six hits off Gorlocks pitching. Two of those hits came courtesy of Colby Reed, who finished 2-for-2 in the game.
 
Jackson Young (0-1) went six strong innings, giving up one earned run on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Sam Peck, Mason Campbell and Michael Carter all tossed one inning of relief each.
 
Sunday: North Central 18 – Franklin 14
A wild final contest that featured 24 total hits saw the Cardinals score 12 times over the fourth and fifth innings to take a lead they would hold the rest of the way.
 
Franklin's offense was led by three hits from Garrett DeHart, with the sophomore belting his first home run of the year. Andrew Wallace and Adam Taylor both went yard for the Grizzlies with Taylor scoring five times in the game. Sanders drove in four runs and Dyllan Redmon brought home three runs.
 
Dylan Sprong (0-1) got the start and was one of five pitchers making their season debut along with Jordan DeAtley, Maddox Manes, Reed Shaffer and Will Butts.
 
Up Next
Franklin welcomes Hope College to John P. McDowell Field next Friday (Mar. 1) to open a three-game series. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.