The Franklinton High Demons baseball team got their season off to a great start last week as they hosted the Albany Hornets in a non district game. The Demons won the game 13-3 in a six inning game shortened by the run rule.
Tyler Hammond got the start for the Demons and retired the side in the first inning. The Demons got on the scoreboard in the second inning when Jo Jo Burkhalter drew a walk before Brady Smith doubled him in. Micah Wascom, courtesy runner for Smith, moved to third when the catcher missed the pitcher on the return throw. Wascom then scored when Cade Phillips ground out. This put the Demons up 2-0 after two innings.
The Hornets got a run in the top of the third as they lead off with a single before drawing a walk. An error plated the run but the next three batters were retired to end the inning.
The Demons scored two more in the bottom of the third when Rikken Burkhalter singled then moved third on an errant pickoff attempt. Banyan Penton reached on an error before stealing second. Elisha Hart ground out but Burkhalter scored and Penton scored when Dillon Pace reached on an error.
The Demons added three more in the fourth as Brady Smith, Cade Phillips and Tryson Fowler each reached on walks to load the bases. Rikken Burkhalter singled in two runs before Penton singled to load the bases again. Hart hit a sacrifice run for the 7-1 lead.
The Hornets scored two in the fifth when they put two runners on by a walk and an error before a single and a fielders choice pushed the two runners across home plate.
The Demons responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth and added two more in the sixth to end the game via the ten run rule.
Banyan Penton lead the Demons offensively with two doubles and a single while Rikken Burkhalter had two singles, Brady Smith had a double and Cade Phillips had a single.
Tyler Hammond struck out eight, walked four and allowed only two hits in four and two thirds innings of work. Jacob Tullos pitched one and a third innings allowing no hits, no walks and hitting one batter.
The Demons will face off with Lutcher in Ponchatoula on March 2, will play the host Ponchatoula Green Wave on Friday and Hammond on Saturday. The Demons will then host Holden on March 7.
