BUDE — Facing a loaded bases situation with no outs, and histeam up only two runs in the top of the seventh inning, mostfreshman pitchers would melt under the pressure. Not ColtonLaird.

The Franklin County freshman right-hander knew the stage was setfor something big to occur, and he didn’t let Wesson spoil hismagical night. Laird struck out the next three Cobra batters hefaced, and left Wesson runners stranded as the Bulldogs claimed ahard fought 8-6 Tuesday night triumph over Wesson. It was FranklinCounty’s first home opening win, since 2003.

Laird, who played on Brookhaven’s 13 and 14-year old Dixie BoysWorld Series team last summer, would not be denied his firstvarsity win. He struck out 11 Wesson batters. His dynamic play wasaided by a five-run fourth inning explosion by the Bulldog offense.Franklin County led 8-2 heading into the fifth inning.

Wesson, paced by the hot bats of Micah Davis and Jonathan Grace,plated three runs in the fifth inning, to cut the Bulldogs lead to8-5. The Cobras added a run in the seventh, before Laird shut themdown.

“Colton pitched a great game,” said FCHS head coach Jeremy Loy.”He was a Bulldog on the mound for us tonight.”

Laird threw 121 pitches, walking only two batters. He became thefirst Bulldog to win his freshman debut on the mound, since ColbyBeach in 2000. Beach is currently a junior at Western Kentucky.

“He (Colton) had good command of his pitches tonight,” addedLoy. Laird left batters hanging with a near 80 mph fastball.

“Overall our whole team played good, we hit the ball better andmade plays. We had six stolen bases tonight.”

Franklin County (1-2) got a triple, a single, and a stolen basefrom senior centerfielder Dane Hodges for 2 RBI. Senior secondbaseman Ryan Ratcliff added three stolen bases and two singles foran RBI. Cable McMinn, Ryne Tutor, Matthew Lofton, and John PaulSullivan each hit safely.

For the Cobras (1-2), Grace absorbed the loss, striking out fourand walking one.

At the plate, Grace had a double and a single for an RBI.Outfielder Alan Stegall also finished with a double and a single.Davis added two singles and stole a base.