FRANKLIN – Franklin-Simpson has options on who it can put on the mound in the KHSAA State Baseball Tournament on Friday against Pleasure Ridge Park in Lexington.

That fact alone is a big part of why the Wildcats (31-5) are headed to the state tournament for the first time in 17 years.

Sophomore Zach Sliger heads a rotation of three starters who all carry similar arsenals and could easily be considered the ace for Franklin-Simpson.

Sliger (10-1) will start for the Wildcats in the first round against PRP (36-5) at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on Friday at 12:30 p.m. CT.

“I know that if one of us isn’t having such a great day that someone can come back us up,” Sliger said. “We’ve got really deep pitching.”

No. 10 Franklin-Simpson rode to District 13 and Region 4 titles over Logan County on the arms of Sliger, rising senior Rylan Thomas (7-1) and recent graduate Ryan Dorris (4-2). Sliger leads the team with 70 strikeouts on a 1.76 ERA in 63 1/3 innings pitched. Dorris, the No. 2 starter, works a 1.58 ERA in 48 2/3 innings and Thomas has a 1.42 ERA in 52 2/3 innings. All three have a WHIP of 1.17 or lower.

The next pitcher with the most work this season is Cole Heinze at 17 1/3 innings of relief.

Sliger, Dorris and Thomas have combined to strike out 160 batters against 39 walks. Franklin-Simpson’s 87 runs allowed through 36 games is the lowest among Region 4 teams.

On top of all being right-handed, they all use the same pitches with similar delivery points.

“There’s not much difference in any of us,” Thomas said. “We all throw the ball about the same speed, we all have the same stuff. Zach has good stuff and RD and I have good movement. We all try to come out as hard as we can.”

Watching that trio work from the mound has been a luxury compared to past seasons, according to senior first baseman Hunter Janes.

“It’s been awesome,” Janes said. “I know especially last year and a couple of years before, we have that ace that we know is going to pitch well, but after that we’re always iffy, so we’re always alert and more nervous before when the ball is hit to us and we know that we have to make (that play) or otherwise a few runs are going to be given up that inning.

“This year we know with RD, Rylan and Zach, we know strikeouts are going to be big and they’re not going to walk people and give up easy bases. It’s easier on the defense because the stress level is lower because we’re more confident in them.”

Franklin-Simpson’s depth is on full display, especially in the postseason where it’s win or go home.

Against Logan County last week in the Region 4 championship game, Dorris was in a 3-0 hole through three innings before Sliger entered and allowed one run in the next four innings.

Should Franklin-Simpson win Friday, the second-round game will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT and the third won’t take place until June 16. For schools with multiple pitching options, the schedule works in their favor.

“No doubt that was the best-case scenario,” FSHS coach Kyle Gammons said about having multiple aces to use in the region final. “That’s how it can set up with everything working right, for sure.”{&end}