Sectional 12 Preview: Franklin Central vs. Mooresville
Sectional 12 Preview: Franklin Central vs. Mooresville
Can the Flashes spring the upset?
The postseason begins Wednesday night in Sectional 12 at Center Grove as Franklin Central opens tournament play against Mooresville in a matchup that, on the surface, appears straightforward.
Mooresville enters at 20-7-1, ranked No. 34 in Indiana, while Franklin Central arrives at 11-16 after navigating one of the toughest schedules in the state inside the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
But sectional baseball has a habit of ignoring regular season expectations.
And there may be more to this matchup than the records suggest.
The Case for Mooresville
The Pioneers have been one of the more productive offensive teams in the state all season.
Team totals:
.355 AVG | .471 OBP | .548 SLG | 208 runs in 28 games
Mooresville averages 7.6 runs per game and features a lineup with production throughout.
Leading the way is senior Adam Biddle, who enters postseason play hitting:
.427 AVG | 32 H | 27 RBI | 10 doubles | 4 triples | 4 HR | 1.359 OPS
He is joined by another dangerous senior bat in Tyler Denny:
.400 AVG | 33 runs | 20 RBI | 10 doubles | 5 HR | 1.266 OPS
Sophomore Brody McGaha has been equally impressive, batting .444 with a 1.207 OPS while striking out only five times all season.
The depth may be the most impressive part.
Mooresville has six regulars batting .323 or better, creating pressure throughout the order rather than relying on one or two stars.
Defensively, the Pioneers have also been strong:
.972 fielding percentage and only 0.8 errors per game.
Franklin Central’s Path
Franklin Central does not match Mooresville statistically.
The Flashes hit .238 as a team, averaging 5.0 runs per game, but they do possess several impact bats.
Sophomore Lane Armstrong leads the offense:
.338 AVG | 16 RBI | 3 HR | .520 OBP | 1.069 OPS
He is supported by Trey Bashaw:
.344 AVG | 20 RBI | 5 doubles | .872 OPS
and Brayden Mahoney:
.344 AVG | .467 OBP | .926 OPS
The challenge for Franklin Central will be finding enough production around that core against a deep Mooresville staff.
The Pitching Question
This may ultimately determine the game.
Mooresville possesses one of the most dominant arms in the sectional in senior Hudson DeVaughan:
19.1 IP | 0.00 ERA | 46 K | 2 BB | .078 OBA
Those numbers are absurd.
The complication?
Many observers expect DeVaughan may be held for a likely second-round matchup with top-ranked Center Grove.
If that happens, Franklin Central may instead see either:
Kooper Schmitt
35.2 IP | 2.75 ERA | 49 K
or freshman Levi Welty:
31 IP | 2.48 ERA | 4-2
Both are quality options, but neither carries DeVaughan’s profile.
Franklin Central counters with several intriguing arms of its own.
Max Craddock may give the Flashes their best chance:
35.1 IP | 4.75 ERA | 18 K | .291 OBA
Meanwhile Andrew Jimenez brings swing-and-miss ability:
40 IP | 53 K
If Craddock starts and keeps the game low scoring, Franklin Central could remain within striking distance.
Battle Tested?
One factor that deserves attention: schedule strength.
Franklin Central’s 1-13 HCC record jumps off the page, but the HCC again proved to be one of the strongest conferences in Indiana baseball.
The Flashes also showed they could compete outside conference play, going 9-2 in non-conference games, including wins over Cathedral, and Southport.
Common opponent results also provide some intrigue:
Vs. Avon
Franklin Central: 1-1
Mooresville: 0-1
Vs. Southport
Franklin Central: 2-0
Mooresville: 1-0
The gap may not be as large as records indicate.
What Franklin Central Must Do
Avoid the big inning against a lineup averaging nearly eight runs per game.
Limit extra-base hits. Mooresville has produced 54 doubles and 19 HR.
Get a quality start from Bradshaw or another frontline arm.
Keep Armstrong and Bashaw involved offensively.
Drag the game late.
If this becomes a bullpen game in the sixth or seventh inning, pressure shifts.
Prediction
Mooresville enters as the deserved favorite.
The offense is deeper. The metrics are stronger. The season body of work is better.
But sectional baseball rarely follows scripts.
If Franklin Central avoids DeVaughan and receives a strong outing from Bradshaw, the Flashes have enough pitching and enough battle-tested experience to make this uncomfortable.
Projected winner: Mooresville
Upset alert level: Moderate