Seahawks finish up season at 18-7

The Franklin County Seahawks wrapped up their 2022 season with an 18-7 record, as they fell to Chipley 10-3 May 10 in the regional semi-finals in Washington County.

Franklin County drew first blood, with a run in the top of the first, but the Tigers put two on in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.

The Tigers added one run in the second and another in the third, and then added two more in the fifth and four in the sixth to enter the final stanza with a 10-1 lead. The Seahawks added two in the top of the seventh. 

The Tigers put 13 hits on the board, and the Seahawks 11 but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. 

Sophomore Cody Abercrombie led the team by going 3 for 4, including a double, while scoring a run and driving one home. Senior Blakely Curry went 2 for 3, and junior Case Crum went 1 for 3 and scored a run.

Junior Evan Stanley went 1 for 3, with an RBI. Also banging out hits were senior Garrison Cook, senior Wil Varnes, junior Dane Mallon and senior Larry Winchester.

Winchester, Abercombie, Curry and sophomore Reece Juno each stole a base.

Abercombie pitched three innings, striking out six and walking two, and Crum struck out three in his two innings of work. Cook and Mallon split an inning of relief between them.

“The game was a microcosm of baseball,” said coach Kevin CoX. “Had we got a few timely hits in some key situations, the game could have turned out much different. That’s how it goes and you do nothing but tip your hat to Chipley. They swung the bat well. 

“To our credit and what makes me proud is we competed until the very last out,” said Cox. “The boys put up some runs and had things stirring in the seventh, and had a call or a few bounces gone differently, we might have gotten the tying run to the plate in the last and then anything could happen.”

Cox thanked the team’s seniors, Boone, Varnes, Winchester, Cook and Curry. “Y’all have raised expectations for Franklin County baseball,” he said. “Now the challenge is on for the next group to pick up the bar and raise it to a higher level. That challenge is on me and our team to want and expect more from you. 

“When a person’s commitment level matches their expectations, greatness can be achieved,” said Cox. “The 2023 team will look different and have to play differently but what’s not different is who you are playing for and what that means now.

“Thank you 2022 seniors,” he said. “That interlocking FC logo means something now…”