GIRARD, Pa. — The Knights tallied five runs in the fifth inning to top Girard, 6-2.

(Photo by Richard Sayer of Eight & 322)

The game was tightly contested until the fifth inning, with both teams combining for only four hits in the opening four frames. In the top of the fifth with the game tied 1-1, Franklin woke up the bats in a five-run fifth.

After a pair of singles and walk loaded up the bases, Luke Guth was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run of the inning. An RBI single by Carson Wible preceded a 2-RBI double by Noah Kockler, putting the Knights up 5-1. An RBI groundout by Cole Harmon finished the Franklin scoring push, with the Knights leading 6-1.

Girard would add a run in the sixth, but Franklin’s strong pitching would allow the Knights to hold on for a 6-2 win. Guth and Kockler led the Knights at the plate, both going 1-for-3 with two RBI. Guth and Kockler also split the action on the mound, with Guth throwing 5 1/3 innings of two-run, two-hit ball. Kockler finished the game, throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings and allowing only one hit.