Box Score Franklin College spoiled the Little Giants' home opener Friday. The Grizzlies' offense erupted for 13 runs on 11 hits, 8 walks and 5 hit batter for the 13-4 victory 13-4 over Wabash. 

Freshman Josh Piercey  started on the mound for the Little Giants, but only lasted 4 innings while surrendering 6 runs on 7 hits.

“Josh was dealing with a smaller zone from the umpire, but they were too and that's something we have to adjust to,” Heac Coach Cory Stevens said. “The free bases he gave up were an issue and when you're not scoring runs ­­­— it just can't happen.”

Ten of the 13 free base runners by Franklin (5-3) scored on the afternoon.

Matt Bowman relieved Piercey, but the pitching struggles continued. Bowman surrendered 4 runs off a grand slam in  the sixth, the only runs he allowed in 1-1/3 innings of work. He also hit four Franklin batters.

“When pitchers are in a tough situations, the one thing they don't need to do is think about what they're doing,” catcher Tyler Hampton said. “They need to just relax. When I go out to the mound, I just try and reassure them they're alright and I think that's one of the biggest things about being a catcher.”

Wabash's offense didn't click today either. The 4 runs came on 9 hits and 5 walks while stranding 10 runners.

“I don't think our approach was all that good,” Stevens said. “I think we were swinging at breaking balls early in the count instead of focusing on fastballs. When we did put the ball in play, Franklin made some nice plays in the field.”

The sophomore trio of Hampton, Clint Scarborough, and Hayden Williams provided the runs for Wabash. Scarborough scored Robby Hechinger on a fielder's choice ground ball to second in the fourth inning. Hampton's RBI came on a double off the centerfield wall in the sixth. Williams drilled a two-run double to right-center in the eighth.

“I just go up there and try to relax,” Hampton said. “I try to get that fastball and I guess I was seeing it pretty well today.”

Hampton finished 2-for-4 on the day with an RBI. Montana Timmons also went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Tyler Owensby collected 2 hits in 4 at-bats with a walk.

Alan Corey and John Penn provided stability on the mound in the final 2-2/3 innings, only allowing 2 runs on 5 hits.
Jesse Williams highlighted the Grizzlies' offense with 4 RBI coming off the grand slam. He went 2-for-3 with 2 walks and 2 runs.

Friday's game began a busy Honor Scholar Weekend for Wabash. The Little Giants (2-5) play host to John Carroll University Saturday at 10 a.m. and Dominican University Saturday at 4 p.m. Wabash faces Dominican again Sunday at 2 p.m.  

“Playing a lot of games in a short amount of time is difficult, but it's part of the game,” Hampton said. “If you take care of your body the right way, you should be fine.”