The Franklin Panthers baseball team kept its postseason hopes alive with a commanding 6–0 victory over the Mansfield Hornets yesterday. Despite a 6–7 overall record, Franklin sits 25th in the Division 1 MIAA power rankings thanks to a rugged schedule. Yesterday’s win highlighted why: starter Nate Varney fired 4.1 scoreless innings, scattering just two hits and striking out two. Cole McGovern followed in relief, yielding only one hit and fanning two more to preserve the shutout. Franklin’s lone offensive output came in the bottom of the second inning. Josh Desmond ripped a clutch single to score the game’s first run, and the Panthers tacked on five more across the third, fourth, and fifth innings through timely hitting and key sharp situational baseball plays with runners in scoring position. Mansfield’s Luke McGuire went 2-for-3 in defeat, but Franklin’s defense turned two double plays and flawlessly managed the outfield to keep the Hornets off the board. Today at 3:45 PM, the Panthers travel to face Division 1 juggernaut King Philip Regional (12–2), currently ranked fourth in the state. To compete, Franklin will need another complete game from its starter, sturdy relief work, and continued clutch hitting. A breakthrough win there would vault Franklin further up the rankings and cement its status as a playoff contender.
