Non-league
NORTH PENN 7, FRANKLIN REGIONAL 2
The Knights capped their spring training trip to the Jackie Robinson Training Center in Vero Beach, Fla., with a win in Sunday’s non-league opener. Four pitchers combined for a two-hitter while the Knights collected eight hits.
“The SOL schedule goes quick once we get into April, so these days of fine tuning and figuring out who we are, are very important,” coach Kevin Manero said. “We were very happy with the way ground balls turned into line drives over our three days in Florida. Our overall plate disciple and approach was good too.”
The Knights put single runs on the board in both the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead. In the first, Henry Wetzel ripped a one-out triple to center and scored on Ben Farley’s single.
“Henry Wetzel has been swinging the bat and getting it done in the mound,” Manero said. “He brings a lot to a team on and off the field, and that really showed this weekend.”
In the second, Jeremiah Criger, who collected a two-out single, scored on an error. Two innings later, the Knights tacked on another run, benefitting from a walk, hit batter and a two-out single by Chase Jones.
Franklin Regional trimmed the Knights lead to 3-2 with a pair of unearned runs in the fourth, but the Knights put the game all but out of reach with a four-run sixth. Highlights included a two-run single by Josh Martinell and an RBI single by Brady Dolder. A fourth run crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Jones accounted for the Knights’ lone multi-hit game with a 2-for-3 effort that included one RBI.
Nolan Walker started and notched the win on the mound, allowing just one hit while striking out three and walking two in 3.1 strong innings. He allowed a pair of runs in the fourth, but both were unearned and scored without a hit.
“Nolan Walker has come a very long way from when he started a game down here two years ago,” Manero said. “He came out strong today and really set the tone. We’re very proud of who he’s becoming.”
Also for the Knights, Nick Palovich allowed one hit, struck out three and walked none in 2.1 shutout innings. Jake Nunn and Christian Gronback combined for a scoreless seventh.
North Penn (1-0) will host Pennridge in its SOL opener on Thursday.
North Penn 110 104 0 7-8-2
Franklin Regional 000 200 0 2-2-2
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