FRANKLIN WALKS OFF GENTRY WITH LONG HOME RUN

Smashing a walkoff home run well out of the park Leix Franklin sent her senior teammates out with a 6-5 win in their final game at the Billy Kiersey Baseball/Softball Complex Tuesday.

The home run, her third of the year, capped a three extra base hit, four RBI day for Franklin, who also struck out 12 while allowing four hits and picking up her ninth win.

With Gentry in front 2-0 in the third Franklin (shown in the circle) came to the plate with two down and smashed a double that scored Roni Tillery, who had walked, and Layla Byrum, who had reached on a Lady Pioneer error.

After Gentry went back in front in the top of the fourth the Lady Bearcats (13-9) got a single from Karmen Kent to tie the game at 3-3. Cameron Parrish had singled and been sacrificed to second by Presley Walker to set the table.

Kylie Lunsford followed with another base hit but the Lady Bearcats would leave two aboard and settle for the tie.

Gentry went in front 4-3 in the top of the fifth but Franklin remedied that with a smash that score Swint after a leadoff walk. With Franklin at third after the throw, Ellie Smith delivered a sacrifice bunt to score Franklin and give the Lady Bearcats their first lead at 5-4.

The Lady Bearcats had a chance to add to the lead in the bottom of the sixth but had an infield fly and an out on the base paths in their sixth inning and the final out recorded with Franklin on deck.

Gentry tied the game again in the top of the seventh but that brought Franklin to the plate. She left no doubt.

The remaining regular season schedule for the Lady Bearcats has them at Gravette on Thursday and at Mansfield on Friday.