The Ropes Eagles played against the Albany Lions in the Regional Semifinal Round of the 2A Division 2 baseball playoffs in a onegame winner takes all series this past Thursday at the Ira High School Baseball Field, resulting in the Eagles securing the Regional Semifinal Championship with a 3-1 win across seven innings.
Albany got on the board first, adding a run in the third inning before Ropes responded with two runs in the fourth inning and a run in the sixth inning to edge out the Lions in the pitcher’s duel.
In the team statistics, the two teams tied at three hits apiece, Ropes bested Albany 2-4 in errors committed and Albany bested them 3-2 in walks.
Kade Franklin pitched a stellar outing for the Eagles, tossing all seven innings and holding the Lions to one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out 10 batters. Franklin lit up the strike zone, throwing 69% of his 102 pitches for strikes in route to earning the win.
He was supported by several standouts at the plate including center fielder Jaivyth Cruz going 1/3 with two runs scored and a run-batted- in, left fielder Branson Simental going ½, catcher Zach Ramirez going 1/3 and designated hitter Maddux Sierra with two walks and a run scored.
The win improves the Eagles to 26-5 overall and advances them to the Regional Final Championship against the Gruver Greyhounds.
The series will be a bestof three at Bushland High School. Game one and two are on Thursday, with game one starting at 12 p.m. and game two will be 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. If necessary, game three will be on Saturday at 2 p.m. with a coin flip deciding the home team.
(Photo from Ropes ISD)