Franciscan 18, Chatham 17 - Nine Innings
 
Franciscan Lineup
Patrick Wallace 3B, Austin Horan CF, Chris Furka SS, Joshua Costello 1B, Kyle Ferrance RF, Brendan Burke C, Joshua Speaker DH, Peter Falconite 2B, Daniel Halsey LF & Pitching - Ryan Neely

Chatham Lineup
Swartz CF, Shawley 1B, Lehman C, Clark RF, Palmer DH, Miller 2B, Marshall SS, Griener 3B, DeLuca LF & Pitching - Costellic
 
How It Happened

The Franciscan Barons would make a 10 run comeback, as they trailed 10-0 heading into the home half of the third inning. Barons beat the Cougars by the score of 18-17. For the Barons Joshua Costello hit his first home run of his career, a two run shot in the third inning. Austin Horan would deliver a three run home run in the bottom of the 8th to tie this one at 17-17. Then Costello would drive home the winning run in the eighth with a two out double.

Ryan Neely would make his 2021 debut for the Barons as the starting pitcher, but it would not go as he had planned. Chatham would score five runs off of him in the first inning. The Chatham Cougars would score five more runs in the top of the third to chase off the starter Neely an close the book on him with ten earned runs. 

The Baron bats would wake up in the bottom half of the third. Patrick Wallace would draw a walk to lead off the inning, and then Austin Horan would deliver a double. Chris Furka would continue the damage, by driving in two runs on a double of his own. Joshua Costello would continue the run, by delivering a 370 foot bomb over the left center field fence. The two run shot was the first homer for Franciscan since 2011. Kyle Ferrance would then single to right field, and Brendan Burke would be hit by a pitch. Coach Rick Carver would go to his bench, and Michael Maynard would deliver a two RBI single to left field. Wallace would come to bat again, for the second time this inning, and deliver an RBI single. Horan would then drive in Wallace, and just like that it was a 10-9 game, with the Cougars still leading. 

In the fourth, the Barons were able to tie it up at 10-10. Brendan Burke would hit a double, and then Michael Maynard continued his strong game by driving him in on a single. Chatham would retake the lead by scoring a pair of runs in the top half of the fifth inning. Horan would draw a walk in the home half of the fifth, and then advance to third on the double by Chris Furka. Josh Costello would then put a charge into another ball, that would fall just short of the fence, but deep enough to score Horan on a sacrifice fly. 

With the Cougars leading 12-11, they would plate another three runs in the top half of the sixth to stretch their lead back up to four runs. The Barons would respond in the home half of the sixth with three runs of their own. The first three Barons would reach base to load the bases full with no outs. Wallace would reach on a fielder's choice to score Burke. Austin Horan would then single in Joshua Speaker. Furka would then drive in Wallace, but unfortunately after Wallace scored Horan would get thrown out at third. 

The Cougars would score two more runs in the top half of the seventh, to set their lead at 17-14. The Barons would be down to their final six outs and trailing by three runs, as they entered the bottom of the 8th. The Cougars would walk the first two batters for the Barons, James Becker and Michael Maynard, which would lead to a pitching change. Then Daniel Halsey would fly out to center, and James Becker would get doubled off at second base. With two outs, Patrick Wallace would get hit by a pitch to let Horan come to the plate with a pair of runners on base. Austin Horan would connect on a high breaking ball with a no doubter home run over the left field fence to tie this one up at 17-17. The Barons were not done yet, as Chris Furka would draw a walk in the next at bat. Joshua Costello would then deliver a line drive right down the left field line, that would score Furka who was running on contact.

Patrick Wallace would then come in to close this one out for Franciscan. After two ground outs, the last batter would drive a liner right at the pitcher Wallace, and it would find his glove for the final out. 

At the Plate
-34 hits on the day combined by both teams.
-Austin Horan and Chris Furka would each register four hits for Franciscan.
-Horan in his second start of the season, drove in a team high five runs. 
-The top four hitters, Wallace, Horan, Furka and Costello, combined for 15 RBIs
-Michael Maynard came off the bench and went 2-3 with 3 RBIs.
-Barons batters drew 10 walks in the game.
-Lehman drove in a team high five runs for the Cougars.
  
On the Mound
-After using three pitchers in two games yesterday, it would take five pitchers to get through nine innings.
-Starter Ryan Neely would go 2.2 innings in his season debut.
-Joseph Hurlbert would come in for Neely in relief, and give the Barons three strong innings while allowing two earned runs.
-Daniel Halsey delivered a strong 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, that would help him earn his first win of the year.
-Patrick Wallace would earn his second save of the year with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth. 
 

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Chatham 8, Franciscan 6 - Eight Innings
 
Franciscan Lineup
Patrick Wallace 3B, Austin Horan CF, Chris Furka SS, Joshua Costello 1B, Michael Maynard 2B, Joshua Speaker DH, Dylan Robb C, Noah Smith LF, James Becker RF & Pitching - Jacob Whitmore 
 
Chatham Lineup
Swartz CF, Miller 2B, Lehman DH, Clark RF, Couchman 1B, Marshall SS, Cuello LF, Griener C, Paulson 3B & Pitching - Akers

How It Happened
The Barons would reset after their marathon comeback victory, to face the Cougars in a nonconference seven inning game. 

Chatham would once again get off to a fast start, plating a pair of runs in the first inning, but the Barons would answer back in the bottom of the first inning. Patrick Wallace singled to the shortstop to lead off the inning. Austin Horan reached base after getting hit by a pitch, putting two runners on base. Joshua Costello would then drive a single into left field, scoring Wallace. Michael Maynard would then deliver a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Horan and tying the game at two.

Franciscan would strike again in the second inning. Noah Smith would reach base on error and James Becker followed with a single to put runners on first and second. After a wild pitch advanced the runners into scoring position, Wallace would smash a double into left field, bring in two runs for the Barons. Chatham would chip away at the deficit scoring runs in the third and sixth inning to tie the game at four. 

The Cougars would score a run in the seventh inning taking a 5-4 lead. Franciscan would find their backs against the wall, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Wallace would reach base after getting hit by a pitch and Horan followed with a double off the left field fence, scoring Wallace and tying the game at five sending the game into extra innings. Chatham would score three runs in the top of the eight inning, and despite plate a run in the bottom of the eight, Franciscan would fall 8-6. 

At the Plate
- Patrick Wallace led the Barons offense going 2-3 with a double driving in two RBI's
- Joshua Costello went 2-4 driving in a RBI
- Austin Horan drove a double into left field tying the game in the seventh inning
- James Becker was 2-3, scoring a run for the Barons
  
On the Mound
- Jacob Whitmore pitched 5.0 innings allowing three runs on 10 hits while recording three strikeouts 
- Chris Furka, Patrick Wallace, and John Pennefather all pitch an inning in relief

Up Next
Franciscan will have their first home Saturday doubleheader of the season, as Thiel comes to town next weekend. This will be the first time the Tomcats and Barons have played each other in baseball. Both games Saturday will count towards conference records, with the first being seven innings and the second being nine innings. 

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