FRANKLIN (SOMERSET) – Franklin High School lefty Ryan Mrotek was on the mound three years ago as a freshman, pitching against Ridge in the North 2, Group 4 final. He started in that game, went five innings and took the loss as the Warriors fell 5-2 to end their stunning run to a section final.
Mrotek was on the same mound Thursday afternoon as a senior and team ace. This time, Mrotek improved to 4-0 and the Warriors to 5-4 with a solid 6-2 triumph over Pingry (2-7-1) in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division game. Franklin is 5-2 and Pingry 2-5-1 in the division.
“We are just playing whoever is in front of us, we’re working hard at it and good things are happening,” said first-year coach Derrick Castillo.
Mrotek said the experience of throwing in a section final helped fuel his motivation to improve with the Warriors melding into a respectable program.
Mrotek struck out eight, allowed five hits and walked one in six innings. He also picked off a runner. Senior righty Mike Schiermeyer came over from shortstop to pitch the seventh.
Franklin beat Pingry 11-0 April 9 as Mrotek threw a mercy rule five-inning one-hitter.
“Today I think I could have thrown better, but the guys all hit, it was a good team win,” said Mrotek.
The Warriors scored three runs in the first. When the Big Blue cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth, Franklin answered with two runs in its half.
“We are doing the little things, we're working hard and we're getting some results,” Castillo said.
Castillo was with the junior varsity when former coach Nick Zucchero brought Mrotek up to the varsity in 2021.
“Nick saw something in Ryan, and he pitched in some big games for us,” said Castillo. “He had a good work ethic, works hard in the weight room, I like his pregame, his practices.”
Castillo took over for Zucchero, who took the season off after eight years to be with his wife, who delivered a son, Bodhi, on Thursday. Castillo has worked with most of the Warriors who were on the field.
“We are doing stuff that Nick did, and also stuff I’ve done and the kids have bought in,” Castillo said.
Senior Warren Bell is the other player who experienced the sectional final as a freshman.
Thursday, he was at first base against Pingry and had a run scored and RBI. Junior centerfielder Izaiah Robinson, a three-year starter, went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Left fielder Shayne Rooney and catcher Jacob Gordon had three hits apiece.
Right fielder Alex Payne had two hits and shortstop Kailar Ahn made several sound defensive plays for Pingry.
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