Cats hold off Spartans for 5-3 win

The Connersville Spartans took on EIAC rival Franklin County on Monday evening. The lead changed several times through the game but back-to-back two run innings for FC was enough to escape with a 5-3 win. Brant Ertel took the mound for the Cats and earned the win, striking out 12 Spartans and walking none. He allowed eight hits but only one of the three Connersville runs was earned. Ertel now has 18 strikeouts in his 10 innings of work this season. Brayden Lykins started the game for CHS and picked up three Ks in his four innings. Lykins has three starts under his belt now and has 12 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.

The Wildcats got on the scoreboard first with Eli Butt scoring on an Ertel single. The Spartans tied it up at 1-1 in the second inning with a Brady Cloyd base hit that scored Zander McHenry. CHS scored again in the third when Chanler Fox reached on an error and Braxton Myers knocked him in. Connersville was up 2-1 going into the bottom of the third inning. Lykins walked Chase Burton in the bottom of the third and Ertel ripped a double, scoring Burton to tie the game. Xander Rodriguez then doubled on a 2-2 count, scoring Ertel and giving the Cats a 3-2 lead.

Ben Becker got on base to start the bottom of the fourth inning for FC, Avery Harrison drew a walk, and Garrett Kuntz singled to load the bases for the Cats. Becker scored on a wild pitch by Lykins and Butt picked up an RBI on a sac fly scoring Harrison.

The Spartans added a final run in the top of the seventh when Myers singled with Kolton DeBoard on second base. DeBoard scored to make it 5-3 in FC’s favor, but Ertel retired the final two CHS batters on seven pitches, earning two strikeouts and getting the Cats their second win on the season.

Ertel went two for three for FC with two RBIs.

The two teams will be in action again on Thursday in Connersville for a 6 pm game.