KEYSER, W.Va. — Top-ranked Frankfort kept the pressure on and played a clean game, and that allowed it to have an early night.
The Falcons scored a run in every inning, exploded for five in the sixth and didn’t make an error over the final five frames to cruise to a 14-2 romp of Mineral County rival Keyser in six innings.
“Did a great job at the plate today in situational hitting,” Frankfort manager Matt Miller said. “When we got guys in scoring position, we found a way to get them in, whether it be a sacrifice fly or a hit. We did the things we’re supposed to do with the plate.”
Frankfort (2-1) played situational baseball early, as three of its first five runs came via sacrifice flies. The Falcons later got their bats going in a big way racking up 12 hits over the final four frames.
Rhett Sensabaugh got the win on the mound and he led Frankfort with three hits and scored three times.
Blake Jacobs (Charleston signee) was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs, Lanson Orndorf (Charleston) was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs, Carson Durst doubled and drove in a pair, Peyton Durst racked up three ribbies, Gunnar Bradshaw had two RBIs, and Jesus Perdew singled twice.
Frankfort held a 14-1 edge in hits and made three fewer errors (4-1).
Keyser’s No. 9 hitter Layne Zacot singled in the third inning for the club’s lone hit. The Golden Tornado (1-2) were no-hit in their prior contest in a 14-3 loss to Allegany Tuesday.
“We played a lot better defensively today than we did yesterday. Pitching was a little better,” Keyser manager Scott Rohrbaugh said.
“They’re having trouble bringing what they’re doing up here in the cage to the field. Some of the guys look totally different in the batter’s box down here than what they do in the cage. … We just have to keep working that and try and get better.”
Sensabaugh, a right-hander, was the winning arm, allowing two runs on one hit in four innings with five strikeouts and three walks.
Frankfort got some bullpen work for left-hander Braeden Laffey and the right-handed Orndorf, who both put up a scoreless inning of relief. Orndorf struck out the side in order and Laffey fanned a pair.
“Normally, we let Rhett finish today, but we cut him down at 70 (to be available this weekend),” Miller said. “I thought Rhett did a good job with throwing strike one, but that’s something we really need to improve on. We’re getting behind batters too much.”
Lucas Williamson was dealt the loss for Keyser, though the Tornado defense didn’t do its pitching any favors.
The Golden Tornado committed three errors during a five-run Frankfort sixth inning that allowed the Falcons to secure the mercy-rule win.
Frankfort heads to South Harrison on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Keyser will look to bounce back in a home twinbill against Robert C. Byrd on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do yet, but we’re nowhere near panic stage yet,” Rohrbaugh said.