FRANKLIN – Late-inning fireworks made for an exciting finish between two of the top teams in Region 4.

South Warren and Franklin-Simpson combined for 25 hits, but the difference was every Spartan collecting at least one hit without flinching at a Wildcats comeback.

South Warren watched a four-run lead get wiped off the board before responding with a three-run sixth inning to hold on and defeat Franklin-Simpson 9-8 on Monday night in Franklin.

The Spartans (21-9) built a three-run lead and a four-run lead on two occasions in the first three innings before a Franklin-Simpson (21-9) rally in the bottom of the fifth.

But South Warren reliever Clay Nohel closed the last 2 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and one earned run on four hits to hold off Franklin-Simpson, giving the Spartans their 11th straight win.

“We’ve been able to respond all year,” Spartans second baseman Sam Gage said. “We knew we could score runs pretty easily and we had confidence.

“Our offense and pitching is executing a lot better. It’s all coming together.”

Trent Rice’s two-run home run in the second inning mounted the Spartans’ 4-1 lead, then back-to-back RBIs from Jacob Lacey and Mason Day stretched the lead to 6-2 in the third.

Wildcats starter Donavan Alderson, one of 12 seniors recognized before the game, got stronger as the game went on and allowed his offense time to work Spartans pitcher Zack Beckner.

Beckner lasted 4 1/3 innings and was pulled for Noah Cranor after loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth on two hits and a single.

Just like that, Franklin-Simpson jumped into the lead with an RBI single from Ben Bayes, a hit-by-pitch, a single from Zach Witt and wild pitch from Cranor that scored the go-ahead run at 7-6.

Nohel came in for the last two outs.

“We could’ve laid down and our guys got better in the fourth, fifth and sixth and (Alderson) did a great job throwing up some zeroes and keeping us in it,” Franklin-Simpson coach Kyle Gammons said. “We battled and chipped away and chipped away and had some things finally fall.”

Alderson walked Day to lead off the sixth before collecting his fifth strikeout and forcing a ground out. But an error scored Day to tie the game and Gage’s RBI brought in the go-ahead run. Gage scored on a wild pitch to add insurance for a 9-7 lead.

Quentin Kitchens hit a lead-off triple in the bottom of the sixth and scored on Jordan Jones’ second RBI to make it 9-8.

South Warren stranded two in the top of the seventh, and Nohel held on to a one-run lead in the bottom of the frame. Franklin-Simpson left one on base while Kitchens grounded out to end it.

“You’ve got to be able to answer because a good team is going to (rally),” Spartans coach Chris Gage said. “They’re not going to roll over. For our team to keep battling back is good because they’re going to battle back.

“This team has done that all year. It’s so strange how teams have their own personality and character. One of the weaknesses of our team might be getting a three-run lead or a four-run lead and cruising for a little bit. Then teams come back and we have answered so far, knock on wood.”

Every Spartan in the lineup earned at least one hit, led by two apiece from Day and Jacob Lacey. Bayles and Alex Gilbert each finished 3-4 at the plate for the Wildcats, who host Bowling Green on Tuesday in the second of five games against Region 4 opponents to close the regular season.

Franklin-Simpson is scheduled to play Greenwood on Thursday, Allen County-Scottsville on Friday and South Warren again on Saturday.

“(I want to see) another performance like tonight, minus the errors,” Gammons said. “You’ve just got to come and compete and hit. Pitchers have to give us a chance to win and it’s a tough schedule the last week of the season, which is how I like to set it up. We could see any of these teams we play this week in the regional tournament if we get there, that’s why it’s like that.”

SW 042 003 0 – 9 11 0

FS 110 141 0 – 8 14 3

WP: Nohel. LP: Alderson.{&end}