King Philip walks off Franklin in 2-1 win

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Warriors make Div. 1 semis

Wrentham, MA - June 9 - King Philip’s Cam Hasenfus pumps his fist after ending the third inning during a baseball game against Franklin. PHOTO BY MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

Wrentham, MA - June 9 - King Philip’s Conor Alvezi scores as he runs towards Franklin’s Joey Goguen during a baseball game. PHOTO BY MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

Wrentham, MA - June 9 - King Philip’s Conor Alvezi steals second base as Franklin’s Jack Sullivan raises his arms to stop the play during a baseball game. PHOTO BY MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

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By Brendan Connelly

Correspondent

WRENTHAM >> Alex Lutfy found himself in a position athletes always envision themselves in, and he delivered in the clutch.

The senior connected for a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday, as No. 4 King Philip punched a ticket to the Div. 1 baseball semifinals with an unforgettable 2-1 victory over Hockomock League nemesis No. 12 Franklin.

“You can’t make that feeling up,” Lutfy said afterward. “It’s like Christmas morning. I don’t know how else to put it. Probably the greatest thing I’ve ever done.”

The victory sends King Philip to the Final Four for the third time in four seasons. The Warriors (20-4) were also propelled by their ace, Cam Hasenfus. The senior fired a complete game, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out four.

King Philip struck in the bottom of the first, as Drew Hanlin grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate a run from third. Right out of the gate, the Warriors had a 1-0 edge.

However, this game didn’t turn into a slugfest. Hasenfus engaged in a duel with Franklin standout Zach Winer. While both pitchers had minor hiccups as things progressed, they each seemingly found their way out of trouble time and time again.

When the fourth inning rolled around, the Panthers (14-11) answered. Drake McAlpine lined an RBI single to center, as Franklin knotted the score at 1-all.

Later on in the bottom of the sixth, it appeared King Philip had a chance to break things open as the Warriors loaded the bases with two outs.

With the pressure mounting, Winer reared back and fired home his final strikeout of the day to end the frame. The senior let out a roar in celebration as his teammates mobbed him at the dugout.

After Hasenfus stranded a runner in the top half of the seventh, the Warriors came to the plate, looking to walk things off. They loaded the bases, as fans began to stand in anticipation. With two outs, Lutfy stepped to the plate.

Maybe it was fate. Sunday night, Lutfy had a dream where he was in precisely the same spot.

“I did,” laughed Lutfy. “I’m not going to lie. I did. … I was hoping it would happen. I was ready.”

Lutfy launched a deep shot to left. The tumbling catch attempt came up short, and the Warriors stormed the field in pandemonium.

“(Lutfy) said he wanted it from the beginning of the inning,” Hasenfus said. “He got it, and he got the job done. It’s unbelievable. He’s a great teammate, great player. It was unreal.”

Winer carried Franklin all game, tossing six innings while allowing one run on two hits and five walks to go with seven strikeouts.

The win sets up a bout with No. 8 Braintree in the semifinals for King Philip.

“We battle Franklin every year,” said King Philip coach Jeff Plympton Jr. “They’ve had our number for quite a while. This year, we got our first two wins against them, probably since 2016. We didn’t want to lose this one. If we won those two, we had to win this one.”