MILFORD — Franklin Post 75 continued its undefeated march through the Massachusetts American Legion Baseball State Tournament Monday night, defeating Hyde Park Post 78 4-2 at Fino Field to improve to 20-0 on the season.
The victory sends Franklin into the tournament semifinals, where Post 75 will face Sandwich Post 188. Hyde Park, meanwhile, drops into the elimination bracket and will meet Milford Post 59, which stayed alive earlier in the day with a 17-0 victory over Leominster.
Hyde Park struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Franklin answered in the fifth, plating three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Hyde Park cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth before Franklin added an insurance run in the seventh to seal the victory.
Franklin managed just five hits, but made the most of its opportunities by drawing six walks and taking advantage of Hyde Park miscues.
Gavin Heneghan led the Franklin offense, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Sean Kryzak drove in a run despite not recording a hit, while Owen Miller finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Patrick Luizzi and Zach Winer each added a hit for Post 75.
On the mound, Owen Lewis earned the win, allowing one earned run on three hits over four innings, striking out two. Brady Short closed out the final three innings, surrendering one run while striking out one to record the save.
Hyde Park collected six hits in the loss, with Rocky Vankoski leading the way by going 2-for-2 with a run scored. Tony Faletra, Carson McCarthy, Jayden Lopez, and Tim Mills each added a hit, while Carson McCarthy drove in one of Hyde Park’s two runs.
Franklin now sits just two wins away from a state championship as the tournament’s lone unbeaten team. Hyde Park remains alive but must navigate the elimination bracket, beginning with a matchup against Milford Post 59.
