After tough finish, Franklin Regional turns attention to 2026 season

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Baseball season ended a little earlier than expected for Franklin Regional.

The campaign started well for the Panthers (10-9), but they ended the season on a six-game losing streak. Every one of the late-season losses came against playoff teams.

The Panthers entered the final two weeks of the season a game-behind first-place Plum, but they dropped two-game series to the Mustangs and Penn-Trafford and ended up in fourth place.

They lost to Bethel Park, 11-1, in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

“We knew the season would be a challenge,” Franklin Regional coach Bobby Saddler said. “There are a lot of good teams in Class 5A, and our section (1-5A) was very competitive. You could not take anyone lightly.

“Class 5A keeps getting better. The talented level is up, and the teams are well-coached.”

The Panthers had two players — senior pitcher Jonah Willochell and senior outfielder N.J. Ramchandran — earn all-section first-team honors. Junior shortstop Luke Williams and senior third baseman Ethan Raver were named to the second team.

“The season did not turn out how we wanted it,” Saddler said. “N.J. was only able to throw a few games. He was bothered by an injury. We were cautious. He’s going to Fairfield, and we wanted to keep him healthy for school.”

Ramchandran batted a team-high .396 with 17 RBIs. Willochell was 3-3 with a 2.74 earned run average.

Saddler will say good bye to five other seniors: center fielder Brady Yarabinetz, rightfielder Anthony DePaulo, second baseman Chas Lemke, rightfielder Christian Dunn and catcher Ryan Catello.

He will welcome back Williams, freshman outfielder Evan Meeker, freshman outfielder Liam Bernadowski, sophomore pitcher/infielder Nico Fioravanti, sophomore leftfielder Anthony Mitchell, sophomore infielder Thomas Verruggio, junior pitcher James Templeton, junior catcher Trey Muhitch, sophomore third baseman Luke Montgomery, freshman outfielder Tim Pirone and junior outfielder Tyler Quinn.

Williams batted .306 with 16 RBIs, Mitchell hit .328 and Bernadowski had a .286 average.

“I expect Tyler to make a significant jump,” Saddler said. “I am comfortable with what we have returning. I am looking forward to next season.

“We must continue to work hard so we can achieve our goals. We have to continue to work to get better and play better. It is going to be a grind.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional