Jackson’s knuckleball helps Franklin Regional close out win over Gateway
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Thursday, April 5, 2018 | 8:45 PM
In addition to being one of the best prep golfers in the state — a talented Division I college prospect with a lot to offer from tee to green — junior Palmer Jackson also is one of the top pitchers for the Franklin Regional baseball team.
Jackson has been known to pull off heroic shots on the golf course, even taking risks with tournaments on the line.
Situational baseball is no different to him.
Teeming with confidence, Jackson came on in relief in the top of the seventh inning and helped the Panthers close out a 3-2, section-opening victory over Gateway on Thursday at muddy Haymaker Park in Murrysville.
Jackson's flair for the dramatic became evident when Gateway put runners on second and third with two outs. A walk and a throwing error by Franklin Regional (3-1, 1-0 Section 3-5A) had the Gators (1-1, 0-1) in business.
The Panthers had just missed turning a double play, too.
But Jackson didn't panic: He got bold. Facing senior No. 3 hitter Justin Stancovich, Jackson forced an 0-2 count and then pushed the envelope with his go-to pitch: a slow-motion knuckleball.
Jackson dealed, the bottom dropped out and Stancovich fanned at the delivery to end it.
Back to golf — it is Masters week. This was Jackson attempting a flop shot off a thin lie to a downhill pin with a one-shot lead on the 18th hole.
More like a white-knuckler. But not to the easy-going Jackson, who calmly earned the save.
“My dad taught me that pitch in Little League,” Jackson said. “It's my favorite pitch. I wouldn't want to face it.”
The Panthers took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on a run-scoring single by junior Shane Sciorilli that scored freshman Tim Quinn with two outs.
But senior Mike Vojnik's hit in the fifth made it 3-2.
Panthers' starter Alex Frey, who struck out seven and earned the win, left after the sixth and 102 pitches.
“Our guys really trust each other,” Franklin Regional coach Bobby Saddler said. “Having that trust in our pitching staff, we knew we could count on Palmer to come in and help us out in that situation. He said, ‘Coach, I got this.' ”
With a few players out with injuries — right fielder Tom Kegerreis and left fielder David Baird among them — Saddler went to his bench.
Bronson Ianno took advantage of a start in left, going 3 for 3 in the win.
“I wasn't expecting to play,” Ianno said. “I was a JV guy in Florida. I just wanted to go out there and try and help the team.”
Jackson pitched six scoreless innings and earned a win during the team's spring training trip to Florida. He said the road-hardened Panthers found some early chemistry while getting in actual game action. Many teams have seen limited action with the unrelenting wet weather and cold in WPIAL territory.
“Going to Florida helped us a lot,” Jackson said. “Gateway is one of the better teams in our section so to get this win was pretty big.
“We knew it would be a low-scoring game. I just love pitching and supporting the team and helping the team get a win.”
Freshman Louie Kegerreis drove in a run in the first inning for the Panthers, and it was 2-0 after a throwing error allowed Ianno to come home in the fourth.
“Our guys didn't back down from the challenge,” Saddler said. “Any time you can get a win, no matter how it happens, it's a win. We did a nice job capitalizing on some mistakes.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.
Tags: Franklin Regional, Gateway
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