Travis Hunsicker called it a team win.

And he was right.

The Franklin Township mentor watched his squad win in all phases Monday night, turning back Valley East 7-5 to open play in the District 18 Little League 10-12-year-old Tournament.

“One-through-nine offensively we stepped up, we hit the ball, put the ball in play,” said Hunsicker. “Defensively, we made some great plays. There were a couple of fly balls to the outfield and we made some fantastic grabs. Overall, a great team win.”

Franklin jumped out to a 7-0 lead through three-and-a-half innings as starter Chase Llewellyn held Valley East hitless until the bottom of the fourth inning.

Braylon Hunsicker opened the top of the second inning with a leadoff walk after being down in the count 0-2, and eventually took third base when Brock Atwood laid down a bunt to move into scoring position.

Franklin pushed across four runs in the inning, with Hunsicker scoring on a wild pitch, Atwood (3-for-4) racing home on an error after a third strike, and Noah McGinley crossing the plate on Cash White’s infield single.

White (3-for-4) advanced to third base after a pair of wild pitches, and eventually stole home after a swinging strikeout to push the lead to 4-0 as Franklin made Valley East starter Frank Fallabel throw 38 pitches in the inning.

“We had a great approach at the plate,” said Travis Hunsicker. “He threw hard, and when we got some balls (to hit), we put them in play.”

White delivered an RBI single in the top of the third inning to score Brian Mriss, who singled and reached second base on an error, and push Franklin’s lead to 5-0. Atwood came through with a two-run hit to plate Parker Rodgers and Alex Bedocs to make it 7-0 in the top of the fourth.

Franklin’s defense did its part to keep Valley East off the scoreboard.

Atwood nailed a runner stealing third base to end the second inning, and Bedocs made a nice running grab in right field in the bottom of the fourth inning to keep Valley East hitless to that point.

“We talked about it from the beginning that our defense is going to win us games,” said Hunsicker. “Our defense and pitching. We work hard, the kids put in the time and ... they’re out here giving 100% every day. That’s all we can ask.”

Llewellyn pitched into the fourth inning, striking out three.

Valley East pushed across five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“It was a tough game,” said Valley East manager Dave Pedri. “We spotted them seven runs, but I’m really proud of the kids. We battled back. Franklin Township is a good team, and hats off to them.

“We maybe had a little bit of a slower start than I would have liked, and coming back was difficult. But fighting back was the big thing, and I hope that they remember that if they keep fighting, they’re going to get there.”

Valley East got RBI singles from Bella Boyle, Hunter Ziller and Fallabel in the inning to trim the deficit to 7-5. The inning ended as Fallabel tried to stretch a single into a double after the run had scored.

White finished off the win, striking out two over the final two innings without allowing a hit as Franklin continued to make great plays defensively, with Atwood throwing out a runner at second base for the second out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Valley East finished with just four hits in the contest, all in the fourth inning.

“We have depth on the mound,” said Hunsicker. “When your number is called, you have to step up and perform, and we did that tonight.”

WEB GEM

... Franklin got great pitching and defense on the same play in the bottom of the second inning, as Llewellyn grabbed a hard line drive off the bat of Michael Eckrote for the first out.

HITTERS

... In addition to White and Atwood, who had three hits, Rodgers and Llewellyn both added two hits and walked once, while Bedocs and Mriss also added singles.

UP NEXT

... Franklin will play Tri-County/Weatherly on Friday at McAdoo, while Valley East will take on Hazle Twp. on Wednesday.

Franklin 041 200 - 7 12 1

Valley East 000 500 - 5 4 2

Llewellyn, White (4) and Atwood; Fallabel, Lagowey (3) and Eckrote, Natt (3). W - Llewellyn. L - Fallabel.