Franklin Regional rallies in 6th, defeats Kiski Area
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Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 8:38 PM
Franklin Regional’s Luke Williams starts a sixth-inning rally against Kiski Area on Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Luke Williams scores the winning run in the sixth inning against Kiski Area on Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Luke Williams steals second base as Kiski Area’s Dimitri Spagnola is late with the tag Tuesday.
Kiski Area’s Zach Hald scores against Franklin Regional in the sixth inning Tuesday.
Franklin Regional starting pitcher Jonah Willochell throws against Kiski Area on Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Chase Lemke scores against Kiski Area in the third inning Tuesday.
Franklin Regional third baseman Ethan Raver tags out Kiski Area’s Lucas Klimkowski on Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Brady Yarabinetz drives in the winning score with a two-run hit against Kiski Area on Tuesday.
Kiski Area’s Tylar Hanley is tagged out at home in the sixth inning Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Luke Williams celebrates his RBI double against Kiski Area in the third inning Tuesday.
Kiski Area starting pitcher Jonathan Walker throws against Franklin Regional on Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Chase Lemke laces a hit against Kiski Area in the third inning Tuesday.
Franklin Regional’s Ethan Raver pitches to Kiski Area in the seventh inning Tuesday.
A little patience went a long way for Brady Yarabinetz and Franklin Regional.
After Kiski Area tied a tight baseball game in the top of the sixth inning, Yarabinetz took advantage of an opportunity to put the host Panthers back in front to stay.
It resulted in their third straight win and kept them perfect in Section 1-5A play.
The senior center fielder sent a low line drive so perfectly straight down the first-base line it would have made the chalk guy jealous. The hit scored junior Luke Williams and senior N.J. Ramchandran, and the Panthers posted a 3-1 victory Tuesday at Haymaker Park.
“It was a two-strike approach,” said Yarabinetz, a La Salle commit. “I just wanted to get something past the infielders and try to score one (run). It worked out for us.”
Said Panthers coach Bobby Saddler: “Good teams find a way.”
Senior Jonah Willochell was suddenly the pitcher of record again, and he picked up the win for the Panthers (6-1, 3-0). Senior Ethan Raver worked a scoreless seventh for the save in the two-game series opener against the winless Cavaliers (0-4, 0-1).
The game was Kiski Area’s first section game of the season, and it played the Panthers tough.
“Big decision in the sixth. I hate to walk anybody intentionally, so we went right at (Yarabinetz),” Kiski Area coach Mike Manning said. “He knocked one down the line. Credit to him. I think (the count) was (3-1), and it was a slider away.”
Franklin Regional came in averaging 11 runs but found it challenging to produce offense against Cavaliers starter Jonathan Walker, a senior right-hander who allowed five hits and two earned runs in five innings.
“Johnny Walker can put us on his back and take us wherever he wants to take us,” Manning said. “He can gut out any performance.”
Kiski Area was outscored 26-3 in its first three games, but the Panthers refused to take their opponent lightly.
“It was a battle, a grind,” Saddler said. “That’s what you expect in section. Kiski Area has expectations to win the section (too). You’re going to get the best in section.
“Brady executed the approach with a great (at-bat). He knew what to do before he stepped into the box.”
Willochell struck out nine and walked three in six innings for the Panthers, who took a 1-0 lead into the sixth.
Williams, a Virginia commit, went 2 for 3 with an RBI double.
He knocked in senior Chase Lemke in the third before junior John Deluca made a diving catch at short and tagged second while still on his stomach for an inning-ending double play.
In the sixth, two walks and two stolen bases had the Cavaliers in business with no outs.
With runners at second and third, Lucas Klimkowski sent a pop fly to right. Senior Christian Dunn made the catch but dropped the ball before he made a relay throw to second.
The umpire ruled the play happened in transition, after the putout had been made. Sophomore catcher Zach Hald tagged up and raced home and the sacrifice fly tied it.
“The ball was on the ground, and the defender was on the ground,” Manning said. “We were off to the races. Our guy was surprised.”
Saddler said the right call was made.
The Panthers overcame an early error to settle in defensively.
Williams made a highlight play for a putout.
“We have to be resilient. That is the test of a good team,” Saddler said. “Mentally, we had to reset and we did. Luke is a dynamic player, and he made a great play.”
Senior Dominick Hand relieved Walker in the sixth. Walker threw 77 pitches.
Williams was already at first after a single, and he stole second and third before Ramchandran, a Fairfield commit, walked.
Yarabinetz smacked a 3-1 pitch down the line, and the Panthers went ahead.
Raver, a La Roche golf commit, took over for Willochell, who reached 93 pitches. The closer recorded a strikeout and a walk before a single put two men on for the Cavaliers.
But Raver struck out sophomore Andrew Varner and got Deluca to ground out to end it.
“We played solid in the field, Jonah pitched a good game and Ethan was solid at the end,” Yarabinetz said. “Getting the first game (in a series) gives you confidence going into the next game. It’s good knowing you beat their best (pitcher).”
Deluca had two hits to lead Kiski Area.
Game 2 is set for noon Wednesday in Allegheny Township.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Franklin Regional, Kiski Area
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