INDIANAPOLIS – Franklin College scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to edge Hanover in a thrilling 7-6 baseball decision tonight at Victory Field.

Grizzlies junior catcher Jesse Wilson drove in shortstop Nick Stoia with the go-ahead run after Stoia tied with contest with a two-run double with two outs.

Earlier in the inning, junior pinch hitter Zach Osowski scored from third base on a passed ball and Jordon Klinedinst scored on a s sacrifice fly by Kevin Entwistle.

And all that happened after the Panthers doubled their lead from two runs to four in the top of the eighth.

With the comeback triumph, FC improved to 13-6 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference – moving to within 1-1/2 games of the league lead – and upped its overall record to 25-8. Hanover fell to sixth place in the HCAC at 9-9 and dropped to 19-14 overall.

The Grizzlies also avenged a one-run loss to the Panthers in Hanover on April 10.

Franklin scored its first two runs in the fifth on a two-run single by Wilson.

Freshman pitcher Ryan Kendall, who entered the game in the eighth inning, earned the win, improving to 2-0. Hanover reliever Alex Lantz (1-1) took the loss. 

Tonight's game marked the 11th time Franklin competed at the home of the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. The Grizzlies have won nine of those contests at Victory Field, including four straight over their chief rival.