BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Ethan Franklin hit a two-run double in the fifth that proved to be the difference in an 8-6 win for the Keystone Heights High School baseball team over visiting Ridgeview on Feb. 24.
It was the second of two two-run doubles hit by Franklin, who finished 2 for 3 with four RBI.
Franklin also earned the win on the mound, allowing four runs (one earned) and four hits through the first four innings. He had seven strikeouts.
Ridgeview held a 3-0 lead, but Franklin made it a one-run game with a two-run double in the second.
The Indians (5-2) took the lead for good with a three-run third that included a two-run triple hit by Tallon Campbell.
Keystone led 6-4 entering the bottom of the fifth. With one out and no one on, Gage Barry walked, followed by Ty Mitzel reaching on a single. Franklin scored both with his second double, which came on an 0-2 pitch.
Barry finished 2 for 2 with an RBI.
Tyler Brinson pitched the final three innings, giving up two runs (one earned) and two hits, while striking out four.
It was the third straight game for the Indians decided by one or two runs.
On Feb. 20, Keystone scored a run in the bottom of the seventh on an error to defeat visiting North Marion 2-1.
The bottom half of the final inning began when Andrew Wilson drew a walk. He moved to second on Aiden Screen’s sacrifice bunt before North Marion intentionally walked Austin Smith. Campbell then drew a walk to load the bases. Brinson hit a ground ball, with the Colts committing their third error of the game, which allowed Wilson to score.
Keystone had just three hits, one of which was a double by Smith.
Starting pitcher Mitzel threw five innings, giving up one unearned run, three hits and one walk, while striking out nine.
Franklin finished it off on the mound, allowing one hit in two innings.
The Indians traveled to play Middleburg on Feb. 21, with pitchers Barry and Brinson allowing just five hits in a 4-2 win.
Smith, who went 2 for 4 with two RBI, drove in Keystone’s first run with a single in the first.
With two on and two outs in the third, Brinson and Barry (2 for 3) each hit a run-scoring single.
Smith hit an RBI double in the sixth.
Barry got the start on the mound, giving up one run and three hits in five innings. He struck out eight.
Brinson allowed one unearned run and two hits in the final two innings.
Keystone, which has won five in a row, travels to play Santa Fe on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. The Indians play another road game when they take on Bradford in Starke on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m.
The Indians host Baker County on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. before traveling to play West Nassau on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m.
