North Manchester, Ind. - Manchester used timely hitting and steady pitching to pull away in the middle innings and hold off a late push from Franklin, earning a 10–6 conference victory Monday afternoon at Gratz Field.
The Spartans scored in five different innings and totaled 13 hits, capitalizing on key opportunities to maintain control throughout the contest.
Manchester's offense was paced by Max Horner, who went 4-for-5 with four RBI and two doubles. Horner delivered multiple run-producing at-bats with two outs and provided the biggest swing of the afternoon with a two-run double in the eighth inning to give Manchester breathing room. Joel Kennedy was equally impactful, finishing 3-for-3 with a two-run home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Franklin intentionally walked Kennedy three times, but he made the visitors pay in the third inning with a two-run homer that opened the scoring.
Evann Schmidtendorff contributed in all phases, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base while handling the Manchester pitching staff behind the plate. After a scoreless first two innings, Manchester broke through in the third as Kennedy's home run put the Spartans on top. The lead grew to 4–0 in the fourth, highlighted by Horner's sacrifice fly and an additional run that came home on a bases-loaded walk. The Spartans continued to apply pressure in the fifth inning, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and a clutch RBI single from Horner to push the advantage to six runs.
Franklin answered with a pair of runs in the fifth and threatened again late, but Manchester responded in the eighth with a decisive rally. Schmidtendorff drove in a run with a single before Horner rifled a two-run double to right-center to cap the three-run frame. On the mound, Jake McGrath delivered a strong start for Manchester, working seven innings while allowing five hits and three earned runs. McGrath struck out four and earned his second win of the season, repeatedly pitching out of trouble with help from the defense behind him.
The Manchester defense turned multiple double plays throughout the afternoon, with the infield providing steady play that helped limit Franklin's scoring chances. Franklin made one final push with runs in the eighth and ninth innings, but reliever Quinton Black limited the damage and recorded the final outs to secure the Spartans' 10–6 victory.
