The Frankfort Wildcats run-ruled the Jefferson County North Chargers 13-1 in five innings to capture the 1-2A Regional Championship. JCN reached the championship game for the first time in program history after defeating the Doniphan West Mustangs 7-4 in the semifinal, while Frankfort advanced with a 13-3 win over the Onaga Buffaloes.

JCN came out swinging early as Brody VanDyke led off the game with a single, and Cash Warner followed later in the inning with a one-out double. However, the Chargers were unable to capitalize, leaving both runners stranded. JCN also stranded two more runners in the second inning.

Frankfort broke through in the bottom of the second inning when Luc Smith grounded out, allowing Peyton Adams to score the game’s first run. Henry Ketter followed with a two-run single before eventually coming around to score on a wild pitch. Despite recording just one hit in the inning, the Wildcats plated five runs to take control of the game early.

Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the fifth inning, when JCN finally broke through offensively. Ryker Gigstad led off the inning with a double and was immediately driven home by an RBI single from Brody VanDyke to put the Chargers on the board. Frankfort pitcher Wes Anderson quickly shut down the rally, striking out the next three batters to end the inning.

The Wildcats answered dominantly in the bottom of the fifth, exploding for eight runs on five hits to end the game by run rule. The inning was highlighted by senior Wes Anderson, who blasted the first varsity grand slam of his high school career to seal the 13-1 victory.

The moment was especially meaningful for Anderson and the Wildcats’ senior class. Before this season, the group’s only state tournament appearance together came last year in basketball, where they were eliminated in the first round. Simply reaching the state tournament for the first time in school history was already a major accomplishment for Frankfort, but the Wildcats are now shifting their focus toward competing for the Class 1-2A state title.

Anderson earned the win on the mound for Frankfort, finishing with eight strikeouts. The Wildcats scored 13 runs on seven hits while leaving just two runners on base. JCN finished with one run on four hits and stranded six runners.