By Carl Holcomb
Class AA Frankfort and Class A East Hardy duked it out in one final state tournament tune-up game in Short Gap.
The teams combined for 26 hits and the Falcons swooped back to a winning roost soaring over the Cougars 11-10 in eight innings.
This was a showdown of two top tier teams in the Mountain State as East Hardy (21-11) is the Class A defending state champion and Frankfort (22-7) won the Class AA state championship in 2024 and finished as the Class AAA state runner-up last season.
The fans were treated to smashing fun and wild antics on the field as both teams prepare for a trip to Huntington for state tournament games at Marshall University’s Jack Cook Field.
The Cougars entered the Falcons roost and the final state tournament tune-up game turned into a hitting celebration with 26 combined hits.
These Potomac Valley Conference teams hope to keep the momentum going into Huntington.
East Hardy will face PVC and Region II rival Pendleton County on Saturday in Class A action, while Frankfort battles Region II counterpart Lincoln in the Class AA state tournament opener on Monday.
It was a back and forth shenanigans with hits and slides all around the base path to keep the fans entertained.
Some fans had their own version of Randy’s Ridge sitting on the hillside which looked like a true Falcons Perch above the left field fence complete with large wooden chairs and other fans covered the hillside along the first baseline just above the designated bleachers for the visiting Cougars.
“Frankfort is one of the best teams in the state. I picked them up for a reason. I feel like our tune-up games have been what I wanted. We went up to Doddridge County and held them to two runs in the win, but didn’t hit as much as I would have liked. We went up to Class AAAA Martinsburg last night and played a tough game right there with them. Frankfort beat Jefferson earlier in the season and we hit with them. I am proud of our team. We did well against their two and three number pitchers,” East Hardy skipper Tyler Mongold remarked.
“I was kind of afraid matching up against Pendleton County. Coach Sam Yokum and I were talking how we just didn’t want that matchup having faced so much of each other already. It is what it is and how coaches vote. We have to go down there and take care of business and beat all the other teams to win another championship and that’s what we will try to do.”
East Hardy snatched a 2-nil edge in the opening frame starting off with a leadoff single by Evan Hamilton who would be sent home by his twin brother Mason Hamilton with a well placed RBI double into right field.
After two quick outs, Dayton Dove notched an RBI single for the 2-0 lead as Hamilton trotted home.
Frankfort responded in the bottom half of the first inning pushing ahead 4-2.
The Falcons swooped fast to load the bases as East Hardy pitcher Dayton Dove issued a leadoff walk to Lanson Orndorf, then Blake Jacobs and Jaxon Hare connected for singles to juice the bases.
Cole Shanholtz plated the first run on a sacrifice fly caught by Cougars center fielder Levi Price.
Frankfort’s Jesus Perdew tied the game with the help of an error.
Gunnar Bradshaw gave the Falcons a 4-2 edge when ripping a two-run producing double.
East Hardy rallied for a 5-4 lead in the second inning.
Frankfort pitcher Carson Durst issued a walk to East Hardy’s Mason Wilkins, then Patrick Mills executed a bunt with a Falcons slit decision throwing out Wilkins at second base.
Evan Hamilton tapped a single into center field, then Mason Hamilton smoked an RBI double in the same vicinity.
Price recorded an Rbi groundout tying the game for the Cougars.
Sisler sliced an RBI single into left field to put East Hardy ahead 5-4.
Kaden Barrett smashed a single into center field as Sisler slid safely into third base beating the throw and waving before getting up full of dirt, but left aboard as Barrett was caught stealing.
Dove allowed two base runners on a single and walk in the second inning, but the Falcons failed to score on a strikeout and pair of induced groundouts.
East Hardy’s Eli Combs was hit by a pitch with one out in the third inning and stranded on two groundouts.
Dove pitched a strikeout, then Bradshaw reached base on an error.
Frankfort tied the game at 5-all as Rhett Sensabaugh connected for an RBI single in center field.
Evan Hamilton snatched a pop up and Patrick Mills made a leaning backwards catch reminiscent of last year’s state championship game to end the frame.
East Hardy came up empty in the fourth inning, despite a walk to Mason Hamilton as Sensabugh pitched a strikeout and jammed for a pop-up.
The Hamilton twins turned a double play and Mills caught a fly ball to quiet the Falcons in the fourth inning.
Frankfort grabbed an 8-5 advantage in the fifth inning as Perdew hit an RBI single (Shanholtz error) and Durst smacked a two-RBI single (Bradshaw single).
“That was ugly, but a good game between us. We battled and did a great job coming back. East Hardy has one of the best top of the lineups we have seen this year and they did some damage here today. Both of these teams have a good shot the next two weeks in Huntington. I am glad we drew Lincoln, because we know them. They have a good defensive team, but we just need to be locked in on Monday,” Frankfort coach Matt Miller noted.
The Cougars pounced back to equalize the game in the sixth inning and eventually forced extra innings, 8-all.
Mills started off with a sharp grounder up the middle for a single then Evan Hamilton crushed a double into center field.
Mason Hamilton garnered an RBI single on a laser just past the shortstop.
Evan Hamilton scored on a pickoff error and Levi Price tied the game on an RBI single launched into left field sending Mason Hamilton across the plate.
In the eighth inning, the Cougars jumped ahead 10-8.
Evan Hamilton smacked a single into center field, then Mason Hamilton’s shot was corralled in left field on the warning track.
After several unsuccessful pickoff moves, Hamilton swiped second base and took third base on an errant throw, before brought home on Levi Price’s dagger in right field.
Sisler crushed an RBI double and was thrown out trying to extend the play for a triple, but had the Cougars up 10-8.
Frankfort rallied for the win with bases loaded hit by pitch and free pass on balls.
Orndorf received a walk from Mason Hamilton,
Then Jaocbs reached on a fielder’s choice prior to Hare and Shanholtz knocking back-to-back singles to load the bases.
Perdew notched an RBI groundout, then Bradshaw was intentionally walked.
Sensabaugh was beaned to plate the tying run and Durst drew the game winning RBI walk-off walk, 11-10.
East Hardy and Frankfort head to Huntington to represent the Potomac Valley Conference at the state tournament and hope to keep the hit parade momentum shining.
