Franklin baseball coach Lance Marshall had his eye on Drew Helton from the time he entered high school. On Thursday afternoon, Helton showed why.

The sophomore first baseman, a native of nearby Whiteland, Indiana who transferred in from Fort Wayne, went 4 for 5 with six runs batted in to lead the Grizzlies to a comfortable 13-2 victory at Wilmington.

Josh Girvan added three hits, three runs and three RBIs for the Grizzlies (6-4).

"It's always tough to go on the road and win, so pleased in that regard," Marshall said.

Helton got the Griz on the board in the top of the first, scoring Girvan with a double down the right field line. After Wilmington tied it up in the bottom of the inning, Helton came up with the bases loaded in the second and singled in a pair of runs to make it 3-1. Dyllan Redmon added an RBI single in the fifth and Garrett DeHart scored on a wild pitch in the sixth before Franklin added three more in the seventh — two on a Girvan double that plated Nic Deering and Colin Goley, and one more on a Helton single.

After Wilmington scored once more in the bottom of the seventh, the Grizzlies effectively ended the game with a four-run eighth. Girvan doubled to right to score Brady Redman before another Helton two-bagger brought in Deering and Girvan. Jaxon Henke then scored Helton with an RBI triple to right field.

All of that offense was more than enough for Griz starter Chase Wagner, who struck out six over six innings while giving up one run on just two hits and a walk. Michael Carter and Anthony Supe each tossed one inning of relief to finish off the win.

The Grizzlies will be at home this weekend with a Saturday doubleheader and a Sunday single against Albion.