Trailing by seven runs after the first inning might cause some teams to panic.

Not Franklin Township.

Franklin was able to chip away at its deficit, putting together a big third inning and a clutch fifth inning to escape McGarvey’s Field with a 10-9 victory in the District 18 10-12 Year-Old Little League Tournament loser’s bracket final on Wednesday.

“Since we dropped a tough one to Valley West, we’ve been playing one out at a time, one inning at a time and one game at a time, and that’s what our kids were able to do today,” said Franklin Township head coach Ben Moyer. “Down 7-0 after the first, these kids could have easily folded, but they didn’t, so credit to these boys for scrapping their way back into the game.”

Bobby Levins got Thorpe’s big first inning started with a single. That was followed by a lot of action on the bases that included three walks and a hit batter. Also coming through with hits in the first for JT were Kade Levan and Demetri Llewellyn. Levan, Brian Reese and Llewellyn all collected RBIs.

“We came out hot, and I was so proud of our kids for doing that tonight. That’s always big to get off to those good starts,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Bob Levins. “This was another back-and-forth battle, but this one just didn’t go our way. We had a good run in the tournament, and I’m proud of the way our kids played and competed.”

Franklin Township would start to chisel its way back into the game with runs in the first and the second. But JT answered right back, scoring two more runs in the third off RBI singles from Landon Schrantz and Parker Grant. A Lucas Knopf double got the inning going for Thorpe.

Trailing 9-2, Franklin Township made its move in the home third as it scored six runs. Three walks and a hit batter would contribute to the rally, but it was Korbin Ahner’s bases-loaded double with two outs that would serve as the swing in the momentum. Roman White also came through with a hit in the inning.

“That was a seeing-eye double for sure - one that scored a bunch of runs for us,” said Moyer. “Korbin has been great all tournament for us, and he came up with a big hit that cleared the bases.”

“Again, just another one of our kids who didn’t give up today and kept their head in the game and in the moment.”

The big third propelled Franklin Township to finish strong both offensively and defensively.

In the fifth, it would take its first lead of the game. Back-to-back singles by Brock Atwood and Brian Mriss, combined with several walks produced two runs to give FT a 10-9 advantage.

Franklin Township pitcher Owen Moyer, who entered in relief in the fifth, would then retire three straight JT batters behind some fantastic defense to close out the win.

“As long as you keep playing tough and keep competing, you’re never out of a baseball game, and I’m glad that our kids played with that mentality tonight,” said Moyer.

NEXT UP … Franklin Township now heads to Valley West on Friday at 6 p.m. for a meeting with the only other team remaining in the tournament. FT must beat undefeated Valley West twice to capture the District 18 championship. Valley West needs just one more win to capture the title.

Jim Thorpe 702 000 - 9 8 2

Franklin Twp. 116 02X - 10 7 2

W - Moyer. L - Levins.