DJ Silverstein produces a weighty win for Franklin baseball, which reaches D1 quarterfinals despite 3-6 start
On Thursday, the 6-foot-3-inch junior righthander limited fifth-seeded Xaverian to two runs and three hits over five innings as the No. 12 Panthers carved out a 5-3 second-round win in the Division 1 tournament.
Franklin starter DJ Silverstein tossed five innings of two-run ball.
Photo courtesy of Hunter Smith (@smittvisuals)
In a two-run fifth, Joe Goguen tallied an RBI double, Sean Kryzak produced an RBI flyout, and freshman Patrick Luizzi (2 for 4) laced a run-scoring single.
'[Silverstein] actually didn't think he had his best stuff, but it showed what kind of competitor he is,' Brown said. 'He got the ball today and didn't disappoint.'
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Franklin's Patrick Luizzi was pumped after reaching first.
Photo courtesy of Hunter Smith (@smittvisuals)
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Juniors Jack Sullivan and Kryzak, seniors Zack Winer and Cole Sidwell, and sophomore Owen Pennini all manufactured timely hits, combining for three runs and three RBIs. Junior Drake McAlpine was 3 for 3.
'We started off 0-3, then 3-6, and I think we have 12 freshmen and sophomores,' Brown said. 'You know, a lot of juniors, but not a lot of seniors. So that hasn't been what we've been accustomed to. I feel like we're starting to see the growth and maturity.'
Battling the 90-degree heat on a turf diamond, Silverstein gave way in the sixth to sophomore Owen Lewis, who yielded an RBI fly out to center to Xaverian's Beckett Delleo.
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Jake Lonardo put the Hawks' first run on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI single to right-center, but Delleo's at-bat marked Xaverian's final run in the game.
'We believe in passing the baton, and everybody's got to do their job,' Brown said. 'Everybody has to be able to execute.'
Franklin celebrates a second-round win over Xaverian.
Photo courtesy of Hunter Smith (@smittvisuals)
Division 4 State
Lynnfield 3, Stoneham 1 —
Senior Madux Iovinelli allowed four hits and struck out five in six inning sand junior Drew George supplied a three-run double as the second-seeded Pioneers (18-4) sent 18-seed Stoneham (8-14) home in the second round.
Uxbridge 7, Clinton 0 —
Cody Veneziano tossed a shutout for the ninth-seeded Spartans (15-5) as they ousted the No. 8 Gaels (13-5) in the second round.
Division 5 state
Charlestown 3, Bromfield 2
— Junior Criss Luna sealed the win game for the Townies (15-5), sending a home run into left field on the first pitch of the bottom of the 11th inning, ending a stretch of seven straight scoreless innings to cap a second-round win over No. 10 Bromfield (17-3).
'There was a lot of pressure,' said Luna, who drove in all three of the Townies' runs. 'I'm already hurt; I was nervous.'
The winning homer was his seventh of the season and the fourth on the Bunker Hill Community College field.
After falling behind 2-0, the Townies rallied in the third inning, evening the score on Luna's two-run single to left field.
'I think these guys have had it all year– I know what they're capable of,' said coach Mayron Ramirez.
Charlestown now prepares to face second-seeded English High in the quarterfinals.
Globe correspondent Auzzy Byrdsell reported from Bunker Hill Community College.
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