League-leading Panthers hold off Smoky Mountain

The Mustangs fell to 4-3 in the Western Athletic Conference while the Panthers maintained a share of first place at 8-1.

"We played better than we've been playing," Coach Tim Hawkins said. "Franklin had some bloop hits and hit some balls hard. I was disappointed with the loss, but there were some things for us to build on."

Franklin went up 2-0 in the top of the first when Ben Vanhook singled and McDowell homered. The Panthers made it 3-0 in the fourth as McDowell doubled and scored in Ray Gill's single. Two errors helped Franklin score four times in the fifth for a 7-0 lead. The big hit was Jarrod Greenwood's two-run single.

The Panthers' final run came in the sixth as Gary Morris singled, stole second and scored on Vanhook's single.

The Mustangs broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Justin Hawk walked and Jake Lunnen belted a home run. Trent Dillard doubled and scored on a base hit by Josh Carnes. Another run scored on an error for the 8-4 final.

Gill went three of three for the Panthers. Vanhook and McDowell were both three of four, and Greenwood was two of four.

Dillard went two of three, and Lunnen was two of four to pace the Mustang offense.

McDowell went the distance and allowed six hits and five walks while striking out six.

Lunnen took the loss. He surrendered 12 hits while walking one, hitting one and striking out three. Franklin was a 12-2 winner in a JV game played the same day at Franklin. Brody Frizzell was two of two for the Mustangs.

Stephen Karby was the losing pitcher. Coach Bill Rice said it was the first time he had struggled on the mound this season. He said Brody Crawford pitched well in relief and was one of the few bright spots.

Back to Sports: 04/19/01.