FRANKLIN — Franklin Post 75’s championship summer has reached another level, as the Junior American Legion team captured the Northeast Regional Tournament championship with a 6-4 victory over Braintree Post 86.
Franklin used a four-run fourth inning to build the lead it needed, then held off a Braintree comeback to secure the regional crown. Post 75 finished with nine hits in the victory.
Ben Ellis delivered one of Franklin’s biggest performances, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a triple. Colin Stacy added a hit and drove in two runs, while Michael Powers collected a hit and an RBI.
Charlie Dandurand finished 2-for-2 and scored a run, while Ethan Herndon and Silas Chin each added a hit and scored. Jacoby Brown also collected a hit as Franklin received contributions throughout the lineup.
On the mound, Levin Boudreau earned the victory after working 4 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs on five hits while striking out five.
Aiden Clark was outstanding in relief, entering after Braintree scored four runs in the fifth inning. Clark shut the door from there, tossing 2 1/3 hitless and scoreless innings while striking out two and allowing no walks.
Braintree was led offensively by Donnie Caliacco and Sam O’Connell, who each drove in two runs. Nick Mazzini pitched all seven innings for Braintree, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out five.
The regional championship caps an impressive postseason run for Franklin, which had already captured the Massachusetts Junior American Legion State Championship before advancing to regional competition.
With the 6-4 victory over Braintree, Franklin Post 75 finishes its Junior Legion postseason as both Massachusetts State Champion and Northeast Regional Champion, adding another championship to an outstanding summer for the Franklin American Legion baseball program.
