By Fred Kroner
Nolan Franzen teamed up on a five-hitter on Monday (Sept. 19) as top-seeded St. Joseph Middle School captured a Class 2A IESA baseball regional championship at Salt Fork with a 9-2 victory over second-seeded Westville.
The Panthers overcame a 1-0 deficit with a two-run fourth inning.
Franzen worked five innings, allowing one earned run while walking one and striking out seven. Miller finished up with a two-inning hitless stint, fanning one batter.
Eli Garrett paced the offense, going 3-for-4. He drove in two runs and also scored twice.
Miller and Tripp Palmer also collected two hits. Miller and Willis Canamore each crossed home plate twice.
St. Joseph (17-6) returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 24) in a sectional championship game against an opponent to be determined. During its current four-game winning streak, the Panthers have yielded just two runs.
