FRANKLIN – Hunter Janes is well aware of what Franklin-Simpson is up against Friday when the Wildcats play Pleasure Ridge Park in the first round of the KHSAA State Baseball Tournament.

He knows of PRP’s tradition, its Division-I level pitching and grinding schedule through Region 6 in Louisville.

He likes that Franklin-Simpson could be seen as an underdog, even if the Wildcats have proven their worth this season.

“I definitely think we’re going to get overlooked a little bit in this tournament and we’re OK with that,” Janes said. “Everybody thinks they’re definitely going to come in and beat us.”

The Region 4 champion Wildcats, making their first state tournament appearance since 2000, will try to take down the state-power Panthers in the first round on Friday at 12:30 p.m. CDT at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington.

Franklin-Simpson (31-5) is back in the tournament after beating Logan County for the District 13 and Region 4 titles. The Wildcats and Panthers are the only two teams in this year’s state tournament to have won a state title.

Historically, that’s as far as their similarities go.

PRP (36-5) won its 21st regional title last week under coach Bill Miller, the state’s all-time winningest coach. The Panthers have won five state championships, third most in the state, and are back in the tournament for the first time since winning it in 2013.

Franklin-Simpson’s lone state title came in 1991 when the championship game was played in Owensboro. During the Wildcats’ 17-year state tournament drought, they enjoyed five district championships, but hadn’t won it since 2009 before beating Logan County on May 23.

Franklin-Simpson hopes Friday is the beginning of a new tradition in Simpson County, which starts by taking down one of the state’s best.

“They’re a tradition-rich program that coach Miller has built and been a part of for many years,” FSHS first-year head coach Kyle Gammons said. “Playing around that Louisville area is tough, but our region is pretty good baseball. We were one of only two (regions) to have four ranked teams (Franklin-Simpson, Logan County, Bowling Green and Warren East). We had to fight through some pretty good teams also.”

No. 5 PRP defeated Holy Cross (Louisville) for the District 21 championship before edging DeSales 1-0 to win the Region 6 crown.

The Panthers are highlighted by junior lefty Garrett Schmeltz, a University of Louisville commit with a 0.83 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. The No. 10 Wildcats on Friday could see Schmeltz (12-1), sophomore Dallas Glass (9-0, 1.17 ERA) or sophomore David Aguilar on the mound.

Junior third baseman Nick Rucker leads the Panthers at the plate out of the 3-spot with a .400 batting average, 31 RBIs and three home runs.

Gammons said PRP is sound on moving base runners effectively and isn’t afraid to consistently use the bunt for hits instead of sacrifices.

“They’re a threat to bunt all through the lineup minus the 3-hole hitter,” Gammons said. “If they catch your third baseman back, about one of seven guys will try to put a bunt down depending on the situation. For the most part, they’ll probably bunt early in the game and late when it’s tight, too.”

Sophomore Zach Sliger (10-1) will likely take the mound for Franklin-Simpson. Sliger leads the team with 70 strikeouts on a 1.76 ERA in 63 1/3 innings pitched. The Wildcats like their pitching depth with senior Ryan Dorris (4-2, 1.58) or junior Rylan Thomas (7-1, 1.42). Those three arms helped Franklin-Simpson give up the fewest runs (87) among Region 4 teams.

“We’re a really deep pitching staff and our closers do a great job, too,” Sliger said. “Our pitching has done great this year, but we’ve been swinging the bats hot this year. If we swing it like we have been, we should do all right.”

Sophomore catcher Jacob Curtis (.355) leads the Wildcats with seven home runs this year, his last going nearly 370 feet off the outfield wall at Western Kentucky University’s Nick Denes Field in the regional final. Third baseman Jordan Jones (.396) leads the team with 40 hits.

Should the Wildcats win Friday, they’ll play the winner of Highlands-Johnson Central in the second round on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CDT. The semifinal round will take place on June 16.

“Our bats are definitely pretty hot right now,” Janes said. “Having the chance to play for the community and have a chance to win a state championship is pretty awesome.”

Franklin-Simpson probable batting order: Kyler Pritchett (So., 2B, .296 batting average, 8 RBIs, 29 runs); Jackson Caudill (Sr., CF, .342, 19 RBIs, 40 runs, 2 home runs); Jacob Curtis (So., C, .355, 35 RBIs, 14 runs, 7 HRs); Jordan Jones (Jr., 3B, .396, 38 RBIs, 31 runs); Hunter Janes (Sr., 1B, .278, 23 RBIs, 28 runs); Dawson Gardner (Sr., DH, .354, 18 RBIs, 2 runs); Clay Spears (Jr., LF, .268, 15 RBIs, 22 runs); Zach Sliger (So., P, .167); Rylan Thomas (Jr., RF/P, .264, 11 RBIs, 28 runs).{&end}