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It was a fitting end to an exciting series.

FRANKLIN It was a fitting end to an exciting series.

Heading into Game 3 after splitting its first two playoff games, both Franklin and Bellingham had reason to believe it was going to advance in the Central Mass. Senior Babe Ruth playoffs.

And in the series finale, both teams followed a familiar script with the outcome coming down to the wire.

Ian McSweeney of Bellingham and Bryan McGrath of Franklin both pitched complete games, but Franklin plated two runs in the fourth inning to win 2-0 and advance to play Medway in the South division of the playoffs.

Franklin will head to Medway to play Game 1 of the series at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

This was a mirror of the first time we played Bellingham this season, Franklin manager Phil Chisholm said. We have played these guys more than anybody the last couple years. We have played them in the playoffs every single year and every game is a battle.

Franklin did not have much success against McSweeney overall, but managed to get a few hits in the fourth inning.

Andrew Chisholm had a one-out single before Steve Ferguson struck out. Then Cam Benham singled to put runners on first and second base with two outs.

Cam Lupien then launched a double to center field, allowing both Chisholm and Benham to score what proved to be the decisive, and only, runs of the game.

The two runs came on the heels of Franklin threatening to score some runs an inning prior.

Lupien led off the inning with a single. Ferguson was then hit by a pitch and Matt Dumart walked to load the bases.

Colin Flaherty proceeded to line a ball right at Bellingham shortstop Sean Williamson, who caught it and then tossed it over to third base for a double play. Joe Corsi was then hit by a pitch to reload the bases before Mike Skaza flew out to end the threat.

The story of the game, however, was the pitching from both McGrath and McSweeney.

The Franklin starter struck out nine batters over seven innings while walking three and allowing three hits.

I was tired a little bit, McGrath said. But its a big game and you [have] to pull through especially in the playoffs here and you have to do it for the guy next to you. Thats what I did and got the win.

McGrath had to pitch as well as he did, because on the other side stood McSweeney, who went six innings while walking one and allowing two earned runs off of six hits.

He pitched very well tonight, McGrath said of his counterpart. That double by Lupien was nice, it got me some run support, and that felt huge going out there the next inning.

It was nice that Bryan could go the whole game, Chisholm said. It saved pitchers for the next series, and we also have Cam Lupien, who started Game 1 for us, got the big hit and drove in two runs for us. It seems like every game we have a different kid whos contributing, and when I pull guys off of the bench they are contributing as well. It just leaves everybody with a really good feeling.

Game 1 saw Franklin dismantle Bellingham in a 11-1 mercy-rule game, and then Bellingham bounced back to win a tightly-contested Game 2 by the score of 10-8. It was anyones guess to what would transpire in a win-or-go-home Game 3, but McGrath seemed confident going into the contest.

We know were a good team, McGrath said. We come out every single day and work hard in the infield and outfield, and were always ready to play. So, today, we knew we were going to win, to come in and get the W and thats what we did.

Falling in Game 3 ends Bellinghams season, but Bellingham manager Jeff Dunn was pleased with his teams effort and progress.

Franklin is probably the toughest team we faced all season, he said. Its unfortunate that were on this end. Obviously only one team can win, but I think we definitely progressed throughout the season and got better, and we really put up a tough fight against them

We really set the tone in Game 2 to set us up for this third game, and give us an opportunity to get to the next round.

Read more:
Franklin 2, Bellingham 0: Fitting finale in playoff series win for Franklin - MetroWest Daily News