New Franklin, seeded second, drew a blank against fourth-seeded Pilot Grove, 9-0, in Wednesday night’s Class 1 District 7 championship held at Battle High School in Columbia.

Despite defeating the Tigers 4-2 earlier in the season on April 30, the Bulldogs couldn’t drive a run across the plate.

“It was a very disappointing end to a great season. Defensively, we were not very good, and they were,” said New Franklin coach Erich Gerding.

Pilot Grove went ahead by three runs in the top of the second, all scored with two outs. An error led to three consecutive singles and a three-run lead before Bulldogs starter Easton Gerding got out of the inning with his second strikeout of the game.

Two singles and a walk, aided by a wild pitch, allowed Pilot Grove to score two more runs in the third inning. The Tigers added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to put the game away.

Meanwhile, the New Franklin lineup produced just three hits and reached base on two walks. While the Bulldogs struck out only once against the Tigers’ freshman pitcher, Tyson Martin, they couldn’t knock the ball through the infield.

“We did a good job of putting the ball in play but just couldn’t find any holes,” Coach Gerding said.

Senior catcher Nolan McGowan, junior second baseman Josh Marshall, and sophomore right fielder Caylub Cox each singled. Sophomore left fielder Ryder Hopkins reached when he was hit by a pitch.

Gerding took the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs after surrendering three runs (0 earned) on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings. Marshall gave up six runs (4 earned) on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in three innings of relief. Sophomore Jonah Bishop pitched the final two shutout innings without issuing a walk. He struck out one batter.

The Bulldogs finish the season 12-7 overall and bid farewell to three seniors: Lane Hackman, McGowan, and Landon Shaw.

“I’m very proud of this group this year and the way they handled themselves. They showed a lot of heart. We are really going to miss Lane, Landon, and Nolan. They are awesome people,” Coach Gerding said.

With its first district title since winning back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022, Pilot Grove, (13-9) advanced to the Class 1 state sectional against District 8 winner St. Elizabeth (15-7) Monday night at St. Elizabeth. The Tigers fell 11-0 to end their season with an overall record of 13-10.

St. Elizabeth, last year’s state champion, has now won 10 straight district titles and is hunting for its fifth Class 1 championship in seven years.