The New Franklin baseball team fell to Salisbury but regrouped to defeat Northwest-Hughesville in game two of the Bulldogs’ annual varsity triangular on Saturday.

A seventh-inning comeback fell one run short against Salisbury in the opening game. The Panthers scored one run in each of the first two innings, and held New Franklin scoreless until junior Lane Hackman drove in a run with a double to right field in the top of the seventh. But a final strikeout ended the game with the Bulldogs trailing 2-1.

“Our pitching was outstanding,” said New Franklin coach Erich Gerding. “All of our guys did a great job. If we take away a few miscues early and swing the bats a bit better throughout the entire game, it might be a different outcome, but all in all really proud of the effort on the defensive side.”

Hackman led the offensive with two hits in four at-bats. Nolan McGowan and Noah Hackman each singled. But the Bulldogs struck out nine times to limit their offensive opportunities.

Sophomore Josh Marshall took the loss for New Franklin. He allowed two runs (1 earned) on three hits with no walks or strikeouts. Junior Justin Hundley struck out two batters in two shutout innings of relief. Noah Hackman allowed two hits but did not surrender a run in the final two innings pitched.

The Bulldogs quickly regrouped to win their second close game of the day, 2-1, over Northwest-Hughesville. This time, a double by Lane Hackman in the bottom of the seventh drove in the go-ahead run to give New Franklin the win in walk-off fashion.

New Franklin held a one-run lead until the Mustangs plated their only run of the game in the top of the seventh.

New Franklin rallied in the bottom of the final frame. Noah Hackman started the rally with a one-out single. An error allowed him to advance on a bunt by freshman Caylub Cox. Lane Hackman then sent a line drive to left field to send Noah Hackman home from second for the winning run.

“Wow, so proud of these guys. They really responded well to a slightly modified defensive lineup,” Gerding said. “Noah’s ability to get on in the seventh was huge, which allowed Lane to get the plate, who swung the bat well all day.”

Freshman Ryder Hopkins picked up the win in a complete game performance. He allowed one unearned run on just four hits with a walk and a strikeout. He threw just 73 pitches against 25 batters for an efficient day on the mound.

Lane Hackman again finished the game with two hits and one RBI. McGowan, Brandon Phillips, and Noah Hackman each singled.

“Brandon had a key two-strike hit to put us on the board and everybody stepped up today on the defensive side of the ball, which gave us a chance,” Gerding said.