Wildcats even series

Cameron Keup threw a complete game and Payton Simmons delivered the key hit in the sixth inning in Franklin's 5-3 win over Davis. The win helped create a four way tie atop the Delta Valley Conference.

It wasn't always pretty, but in the end, Franklin-Elk Grove evened the season series with Davis after a 5-3 win on Tuesday. Senior Cameron Keup threw his third complete game of the year in scattering three hits. As one of just four seniors on the roster, Keup is bringing much needed experience in addition to his pitching prowess.

"He's been huge for us. He is one of four seniors we have on our team. We're really young this year," Franklin head coach Bryan Kilby said. "He's been big. He's been a staple on the mound, but also big in our team with senior leadership."

Keup is a strike thrower with 91 pitches to complete seven innings. He attacks well with his fastball and has control on his breaking ball to keep hitters honest.

"The big key is keeping the fastball low and trying to get a bunch of groundball outs and not trying to do too much," Keup said of his outing. "I locate the fastball and I like to throw the curveball to keep them off balance and keep their timing off."

After Matt Trask had a RBI single into centerfield in the top of the first, Keup helped himself with a two RBI single with two outs and two strikes. The hit put Franklin up 2-1 and the Wildcats wouldn't trail the rest of the afternoon. Sophomore Zachary Tresemer produced a sacrifice fly to centerfield to give the Wildcats a 3-1 advantage against Davis starter Brett Bloomfield.

Keup retired 11 straight batters before allowing a leadoff single in the fifth to Nate Curtis. Catcher Hudson Forrester followed with a double into right-centerfield after working the count from 0-2 to 3-2. He later scored on a double play groundball to tie the game at three.

With the game tied in the sixth, junior Payton Simmons came up with runners on first and second with one out. He provided the eventual game winning hit with a double down the left field line after Franklin struggled to move the runners over with a bunt. The hit complemented a good day in the field, including a sliding catch in the top of the sixth.

"Payton has been struggling a little offensively. He's been really good defensively. I told him before the game I think you are going to have a huge game for us offensively. He was swinging the ball really well in practice," Kilby said.

The No. 9 ranked Blue Devils (7-4-1) and No. 14 Franklin (9-4, 4-2) will conclude their regular season matchups on Thursday.

Other highlights

Elk Grove made it a four way tie in the DVC with a 7-4 win over Grant. It is the second win for the Thundering Herd over the Pacers as the two teams will finish up their series on Thursday. Grant senior ace Cameron Avila went five innings and gave up five runs (one earned). He surrendered six hits and three walks while striking out six batters.

After surrendering a first inning home run to Angelo Bortolin, Mitty scored eight runs in the second inning en route to a 14-6 win. Luke Rasmussen went 3-for-3 with three RBI. Tommy Hudson, Chris Zapata, Trent Scharrenberg and Kyle Mora each had two RBI. "He's a legitimate player in the middle of the order. For three years he didn't have much protection. This year we're a little deeper, plus he's a year older, matured a lot," Mitty head coach Bill Hutton said of Rasmussen to the San Jose Mercury News.

Valley Christian avenged an earlier loss in a 4-3 win over Bellarmine. Theron Kay picked up the win to improve his season record to 4-3. Senior Bryson Brigman had two doubles. The Warriors' win, along with St. Francis beating St. Ignatius (4-1), kept the top of the West Catholic Athletic League in a three team gridlock.

In the first of two games, College Park shutout Northgate (4-0) behind junior Chris Brown. He allowed five hits while striking out three. The Thursday matchup appears to be junior Joe Demers of College Park against senior Spencer Johnson of Northgate.

Pac-12 signees dueled on the mound at Oakdale with Manteca picking up the 3-0 win. Oregon bound lefty Jake Corn threw a five hitter with three walks and nine strikeouts for the Buffaloes. USC signee Bryce Dyrda suffered his first loss of the year after allowing just an unearned run during his first 25 inning heading into Tuesday. Manteca's Lucas Vaughn had two RBI in the win.

The top two teams in Division V, Head-Royce defeated Valley Christian-Dublin (10-0) behind an impressive two-way performance from junior Nico Hoerner. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. On the mound, he struck out 11 batters in five innings. Senior Sami Tuqan had a home run and three RBI for the Jayhawks.