Franklin County Rebels Fall Short Against Central Magnet in Extra Innings in Series Finale

The Franklin County Rebels came up just short in a tough 6-5 loss to Central Magnet on Wednesday night.

Franklin County jumped out to an early lead in the first inning with back-to-back singles. Casen Gilliam got things going with an RBI single to bring in the game’s first run.

Central Magnet tied things up in the third with a sacrifice fly from Mitchell Coons and an RBI single by Elijah Bonner.

The Rebels reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third when Graysen McNeese grounded out, scoring a run to make it 3-2.

Central Magnet answered in the fifth. Bonner stayed hot, driving in a run with a sac fly and adding another RBI with a single down the right field line, giving his team a 4-3 lead.

Gus Gardner helped even the score once again in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly of his own.

The game remained deadlocked until the ninth, when Central Magnet took advantage of an error and a hit-by-pitch to push across two unearned runs. Franklin County added one in the bottom half, but the rally came up just short.

Bonner earned the win on the mound for Central Magnet, going eight innings and allowing five runs on seven hits, with five strikeouts and four walks. Josiah Cullins took the loss for Franklin County, throwing two innings in relief and giving up two unearned runs while striking out four. Gilliam started the game, tossing seven innings, striking out six, and allowing four runs on 10 hits.

At the plate, Sam Vincent, Gilliam, and Gavin McBee all had two hits each. McNeese, Gilliam, McBee, and Gardner each drove in a run, and Vincent stole two bases. The Rebels showed good discipline, drawing six walks as a team.

Bonner led the way for Central Magnet, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. John Roth, Joseph Rowell, and Thomas Sesler each chipped in with multiple hits as well.

Franklin County heads to DeKalb County on Thursday, looking to bounce back.