BUDE – Led by a 3-for-3 performance by sophomore designatedhitter Cable McMinn, the Franklin High Diamond Dawgs conqueredSouth Pike 5-3 Thursday evening in “The Swamp”. McMinn plated threesingles for two RBI’s in the non-division contest.

“I had a good day,” said the soft-spoken McMinn. “I’m just gladwe won.”

McMinn and the Bulldogs got a solid team effort from theirstarting nine, Franklin was playing in their first game in over aweek due to wet field conditions.

“The rain caused us to change some games we had scheduled,” saidBulldogs head coach Johnny Daves. “Overall, we got a solid teameffort today. Offensively and defensively we played well.”

Franklin spotted the visiting Eagles a 2-0 lead in the firstinning off a Kelsey Island double. The Diamond Dawgs (5-6)rebounded in the second by scoring four runs off three hits. Juniorcatcher Ryan Hall, sophomore first baseman Dane Hodges and McMinneach plated RBI hits for the Dawgs that inning.

After a scoreless third, the Eagles and Bulldogs traded a runapiece in the fourth. Bulldogs junior pitcher Dann Griffin replacedstarter Baron Jones in the fifth, closing the game out with twostrikeouts.

Jones pitched four innings, allowing four hits on two walks. Hestruck out four. Griffin allowed one hit in relief.

For the Eagles, Island suffered the loss. He struck out threebatters and walked one.

At the plate, the Bulldogs were aided by a double and a singlefrom centerfielder Jasper O’Quinn. James King and Ryan Ratcliffeach added a double and a stolen base apiece. Jones collected twosingles.

Franklin resumes play Tuesday afternoon at Woodville againstRegion 7-3A rival Wilkinson County, beginning at 4 p.m. TheBulldogs travel to North Pike Friday.