All good things must come to an end.

A shorthanded Franklin Township team faced league champion Northampton for a spot in Saturday’s Connie Mack championship, but its tournament run came to an end with an 11-1 loss Friday evening at Living Memorial Park in Coopersburg.

The Mud Dawgs capped an 18-7 season with a trip to the state tournament’s final four.

Missing four starters, Franklin Township shuffled players into unfamiliar positions while others took on larger roles than usual.

“It was tough to go out there with this lineup, but it’s what we had,” said coach J.C. Deitz. “I knew they would all play hard, but with guys playing out of position, it throws a lot off. Anytime you take four starters out of a lineup, you’re in trouble.”

Even with those challenges, the Mud Dawgs came out fighting.

Braylon Hunsicker, batting in his usual leadoff spot, jumped on an 0-1 pitch and grounded a single through the middle to start the game. Hunsicker moved to second and, with two outs, Grant Birnbaum singled to left to score him for a 1-0 Franklin Township lead.

Hunsicker also got the start on the mound, but Northampton answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Konkrete Kids added another run in the second for a 3-1 lead before both teams traded scoreless innings until the bottom of the fourth.

Northampton took advantage of a wild pitch and a fielding error that contributed to three unearned runs in a five-run fourth inning, extending its lead to 8-1. Hunsicker pitched into the fifth inning and finished with five strikeouts.

The Konkrete Kids added two more runs in the fifth before ending the game via the 10-run rule with another run in the sixth to complete the 11-1 victory.

Northampton’s Nate Kovach was impressive over six innings, allowing just four hits while walking none and striking out five.

“You have to hand it to Northampton, too. They were league champions, and they’re a really tough team to play even at full strength, so you have to recognize that,” said Deitz.

Franklin Township finished the state tournament with a 4-2 record, advancing to the final four before suffering its only two losses to Northampton.

“I just have to hand it to all of the guys. They went out there all season and really played well for us. We were one of the better teams all season and showed just how well we could play here in the tournament,” said Deitz. “We can certainly be proud of our performance, and the guys who were here today can be proud that they tried to pull this one out.”

PLANNING AHEAD… Deitz, who also coaches Lehighton’s varsity team, was pleased not only with the team’s summer but also with what he saw from many of his players during the high school season.

“I told them to take the month of August off from baseball, and then we’ll get back at it in September,” said Deitz.

Franklin Twp. 100 000 - 1 4 7

Northampton 210 521 - 11 13 1

W - Kovach. L - Hunsicker.