The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Can anyone stop that Franklin High frosh baseball squad?
The freshman team, to date, has defeated Ridge 7-0 and 10-6, Somerville 3-0 and 13-12, Delaware Valley 12-5, Voorhees 21-7, Piscataway 9-3, and, on April 25, Union, 12-2.
The freshman squad dominated Union from the start of the 5-inning game. In the first inning after Patrick Pallay reached on an error and stole second and then third bases, he scored on a balk that also advanced Hunter Casazza to second.
Casazza then stole third, and scored after Kenny Millman singled to left field.
Millman then stole second and third bases, and scored when Garrett Callaghan grounded out to the shortstop.
Franklin capped off a 4-run first inning on a bad pitch.
The Warriors’ 7-run third inning was highlighted by Callaghan’s steal of home.
Franklin pitcher Norman threw all five innings, recording seven strikeouts.
The varsity team hasn’t fared as well, posting a losing season so far. But the team did make a little history on April 20, beating North Plainfield 9-5 for the team’s first Somerset County Tournament win in more than 10 years.
The tone was set when Senior Justin Zayas belted a 2-run home run to start off the game, reported coach Tony Racioppi.
Racioppi said that Junior Derek Balbierz picked up the win for the Warriors, striking out six. Senior Juan Romano and Junior Gustavo Singares picked up three hits each, and Senior Sal Almeida had two hits and three 2-out RBIs.
Senior Carlos Matos tripled in the 5th and picked up the save to close the game.
