NEWTOWN – There is something special brewing for Franklin Township’s 8-10-year-old Little League All-Stars.

Somehow this group finds ways to make clutch plays at the right moment.

When the pressure has mounted throughout the postseason, Franklin Township has been at its best - delivering a key hit, a defensive gem, or big pitch.

Just like it had done throughout the District 18 tournament, Franklin delivered again in the opening round of the Section 6 tournament on Monday night.

The latest victim was District 20 champion Pennridge as Franklin Township found its offensive groove early, and made it standup for a thrilling 4-3 victory.

The win vaults Franklin into the winner’s bracket final of the four-team, double-elimination tournament where it will meet Holland, which knocked off Stroudsburg, 3-0. Holand, the District 30 winner, and Franklin square off today at 6 p.m., while Stroudsburg, the District 29 champ, and Pennridge will also meet today in a loser’s bracket game.

“The best way to describe these kids is resilient,” said Franklin manager Travis Hunsicker. “They just keep finding ways to win. They feel that confidence and it shows on the field.”

The Blood Hounds came out of the gate strong with a pair of two-run innings.

In the first, Myles Meek singled and sprinted to second on error on his hit, One-out later, Jakoby Andrews hustled out an infield single, as Meek, who stole third, pranced home with the first run of the game. After Miles Mann reached on an error, Jake Kistner picked up a RBI single.

The momentum carried over into the second for Franklin when it loaded the bases on walks, before Meeks uncorked a single to drive in two runs for a 4-0 lead.

Much to its credit, Pennridge pitching sparked the rest of the way. It called on three relievers to get the job done and they responded by retiring 12 straight batters before Andrews was hit by a pitch with two outs in the top of the sixth.

Meanwhile, Franklin manager Hunsicker was in a chess match throughout the game. Being mindful of the pitch-count rule and the amount of rest needed between outings as the number of pitches climbs, Hunsicker lifted starting pitcher Meek in the bottom of the third inning with Hanna Wheeler on third base and two out. Reliever Andrews wiggled free of danger with a superb defensive effort on a comebacker to the box.

“It’s all about the pitchers’ numbers,” Hunsicker explained. “We have an excellent group of pitchers and we’re trying to use them wisely - especially in these close games.”

Pennridge made it interesting late in the game when it scored three times in the fifth. Martin Wiren led off with a double - the only extra-base hit of the game. There was one out when Jackson Funk was plunked with a pitch and Grayson Orgno followed with a two-run single. A two-out error and a wild pitch brought Pennridge to within a 4-3 score. But relief pitcher Kistner steadied things and struck out the next batter to avoid further trouble.

“That’s how resilient these kids are, they find a way to get the job done,” Hunsicker said, tipping his hat to Kistner who bent but never broke.

AT THE PLATE … Franklin had just four hits - two off the bat of Meek, and one each by Andrews and Kistner. Pennridge was led by 9-year-old Jonah Los who collected two hits.

WEB GEMS … Steady shortstop Mann continues to impress in the field, coming up with four big defensive plays. Andrews made a pair of superb snags as well - one at first and the other on the mound.

BIG GAME TODAY … If Franklin Township wins today, it will be in grand position to capture the section championship, needing just one more victory and forcing the surviving team to beat it twice. A loss today means Franklin would need three more victories - without a setback - to capture the title.

Franklin Twp. 220 000 - 4 4 1

Pennridge 000 030 - 3 6 2

Meek, Andrews (3), Kistner (5) and Brungard; Funk, Alba (2), Wiern (4), Los (5) and Ambruch. W - Kistner. L - Funk.