New Franklin claimed its fourth straight win on Saturday with a four-run shutout at home over Central Activities Conference and area rival Glasgow.

The win notched the Bulldogs’ sixth in eight games, with the final stretch of the season looming before the Class 1 District 7 postseason tournament begins on May 14.

The victory also gives New Franklin an edge as the district tournament approaches. It marked the second win in a row over a district team after edging Pilot Grove 4-2 three days prior, leading up to the tournament seeding. The Bulldogs play another crucial pre-district game at Sweet Springs on Thursday.

For Glasgow, the game snapped the Jackets’ two-game win streak after lopsided wins at Prairie Home with Bunceton (11-0) and Madison (12-2) at home. The loss was also the second for Glasgow out of two against Class 1 District 7 teams.

New Franklin scored one run in the bottom of the second and three in the third on the way to the 4-0 win. Bulldogs second baseman Josh Marshall was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the second. He then scored on a Glasgow error committed on a ground ball by senior Landon Shaw.

Another hit batsman by Glasgow pitcher Bronson Foster turned into a run in the bottom of the third. Senior Nolan McGowan eventually scored after three consecutive walks to give the Bulldogs the first of three runs in the inning.

New Franklin scored two more runs after a pitching change put Glasgow junior Blake Fuemmeler on the mound. Shaw grounded into a fielder’s choice on an 0-2 pitch that scored sophomore Jonah Bishop. An infield error then led to another New Franklin run as freshman Easton Gerding crossed the plate.

New Franklin drove in two of its four runs on five total hits but left eight runners on base. McGowan led the Bulldogs with two hits in three at-bats with a run scored. Senior Lane Hackman, Gerding, and sophomore Ryder Hopkins each singled.

New Franklin walked twice and had four hit batsmen.

“I would have liked to see us be able to take advantage of some traffic on the basepaths and get more guys in,” said New Franklin coach Erich Gerding. “We left too many on, but we hit several good balls right at people, but we did make some things happen by putting the ball in play with two strikes. We have to keep grinding.”

Hackman earned the win on the mound, striking out 11 batters in 6.1 innings. He allowed five runs and walked one batter but didn’t give up a run.

Marshall mopped up the final two outs with a strikeout before inducing a ground-ball out. “Lane pitched great, and Josh did some good work,” Gerding said. “The defense was excellent behind them. Good to end a tough week with a W.”

Glasgow also ended the game with five hits but couldn’t drive in a run. Foster led the Jackets with a 2-for-3 performance as leadoff hitter. Fuemmeler, junior Owen Colvin, and Junior Andrew Cropp each singled.

Foster was credited with the loss after surrendering four runs (2 earned) on one hit and three walks in 2.1 innings. He plunked four batters and struck out one.

Fuemmeler pitched 3.2 shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks with one strikeout.

Glasgow, now 5-10 overall, defeated Class 3 Brookfield 10-5 at home on Monday. The Jackets play their final CAC game tonight (Wednesday) at Community. They return home next Tuesday for the regular-season closer against Monroe City.

New Franklin lost a heartbreaker to Class 2 Westran at home on Monday night, 7-6. The Bulldogs hope to regroup against district opponent Sweet Springs on Thursday before closing the regular season at home against area rival Harrisburg on Monday.