HOLLAND — It’s not how many hits you end up with, it’s when you get them.

Franklin Township gave perennial power Newtown all it could handle in Sunday’s Section 6 opener, actually out-hitting the District 30 champions.

But Newtown combined three of its six hits — including two for extra bases — and a walk during a four-run fourth inning that proved to be the difference in a 5-2 victory.

The loss drops Franklin into Monday’s loser’s bracket contest against Stroudsburg.

“Franklin Township had a great gameplan,” said Newtown manager Brad Hamilton. “They played us deep. We have some good, strong hitters and they were able to keep a lot of balls in front of them. In that (fourth) inning, we were able to find some gaps and get some runners on base and start what I call the carousel.”

With the District 18 champs holding a 2-1 advantage after three frames, things unraveled in the fourth. Greyson Gage led off the inning with a ringing double to right-center and moved to third on a wild pitch. Gavin Caudill worked a walk and promptly stole second. Rocco DaBronzo followed with an RBI single to tie the score and send Caudill to third.

A fielder’s choice grounder off the bat of Brody Gage brought home the go-ahead tally. Ryan Uhl drilled another double to deep center, sending Gage to third. Another ground out brought home the fourth run of the inning to make it 5-2.

“They hit the ball well, and we expected them to,” said FT manager Ben Moyer. “We expected them to have good pitching, and they had good pitching. I mean, we wanted to come in and compete and I think we did a great job of competing.

“I was also proud of our kids in the batter’s box. We only had two strikeouts in the game. We played well, they just played a little better today.”

Franklin did threaten later in the contest, putting runners on second and third with one out in the home fifth. Brody Hunsicker hit a line shot that Newtown’s third baseman snared. A pop-out to second ended the uprising.

“We had a line drive there at third base, if it’s six inches further to the right that’s two runs and it’s a whole different ballgame,” said Moyer. “We had some bloopers that they went and caught, too. Give them credit, they played great defense.”

FT wasn’t too shabby in the field either.

Miles Mann dove in foul territory to catch a line drive for the first out of the game. In the second inning, Newtown loaded the bases with no outs prompting Moyer to bring in Ethan Laible to pitch. Laible got a strikeout and then second baseman Roman White fielded a grounder and fired home for a force out. Another grounder got Franklin out of the inning.

“We put him (Laible) in a tough spot, but he came in and got the outs we needed,” said Moyer. “And then we were able to put some runs up in the bottom of the inning. All in all, I think pitching-wise and the defense, we made plays. Our outfielders went and caught the balls. Overall, I’m happy. Obviously, I’d be happier with a win but I think we proved we’re right where we belong.”

After getting out of that jam, Franklin used the momentum to grab a lead.

Jayce Hunsberger opened the home second with a line shot off the pitcher’s glove that he beat out for a hit. After a sacrifice bunt, Colby Solt and Myles Meek both had swinging bunts that resulted in a run and a 1-1 score. Jakoby Andrews then crushed a ball over the left fielder’s head for an RBI double and a 2-1 advantage.

“I thought that was a moment that could have turned the game for Franklin Township,” said Hamilton. “It was a great inning for them to come up with bases loaded and no outs and come out of it with nothing. And then they scored their runs.”

HIT CHART ... Franklin Township had seven players collect hits, finishing with nine in the game compared to Newtown’s six. Solt and Andrews each had two, with Laible, Owen Moyer, Mann, Hunsberger and Meek all contributing one.

PITCH COUNT ... FT used four pitchers in the game, trying to manage the pitch count. Moyer and Laible can return to the mound Tuesday, while Mann and Meek are available Monday.

DELAY ... Both teams had to sit through a nearly one hour delay when thunder and lightning rolled through the area during the middle of the fifth inning.

Newtown 100 400 - 5 6 1

Franklin Twp. 020 000 - 2 9 1

Wexler, Hamilton (4), Neeld (5) and Esteves; Moyer, Laible (2), Mann (4), Meek (5) and Spotts. W - Wexler. L - Laible.