HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Through two games at the Class AA state tournament, Frankfort’s pitching plan has gone according to script and their offense has produced timely hits to secure a spot in Saturday’s championship game. The Falcons erased an early deficit to defeat Independence, 4-1 in the second Class AA semifinal Thursday evening.
Lanson Orndorf delivered a complete game victory in No. 2 Frankfort’s 6-1, quarterfinal win over Lincoln on Monday. Thursday, it was Jaxon Hare’s turn. He collected all 21 outs in a 103-pitch performance. Hare retired the first batter he faced in each of the seven innings and he allowed only three baserunners in the final four frames. Hare yielded just three hits and he struck out five.
“Our pitching staff has carried us all season. Jaxon did a great job getting another complete game. That’s 2-for-2. Everything is to plan so far. We are going to have a really tough one against Logan,” said Frankfort head coach Matt Miller.
“He gets ahead of hitters. That’s what he does. He is our strike thrower. We know what we will get out of him. He gets soft contact. He hides the ball well with good movement. He did a great job today.”
No. 3 Independence (29-10) took a third-inning lead when Brady Williams tripled to centerfield and a throwing error allowed him to score. However, the Falcons used a run-scoring single from Jesus Perdew to even the score in the bottom of the third.
Frankfort (26-7) took a lead they would not relinquish with a sacrifice fly from Hare and an RBI single from Gunnar Bradshaw in the fifth. Hare added an RBI single in the sixth to complete the scoring.
“Our players are great. I have the best coaching staff in the state. I love these guys. Our kids work so hard. The credit goes to them. They have been in three straight [championship games]. We should hopefully try to do our best to get another one.”
Eight of nine batters in the FHS lineup had at least one hit. Blake Jacobs led the way with a 2-for-3 effort.
With four days rest, Orndorf will be available to pitch in Saturday’s title game against the Logan Wildcats. LHS defeated No. 1 Wheeling Central Catholic, 6-0 in the opening semifinal.
“A great pitching performance from Lanson and the best hitting performance all year.”
Chance Moore went the distance on the hill for the Patriots. He allowed three earned runs and struck out four batters.
MetroNews broadcast interview from Luke Wiggs with Frankfort head coach Matt Miller after FHS’ 4-1 win over Independence in the Class AA semifinals: #wvprepbase pic.twitter.com/0j2lrYPRwz
— Joe Brocato (@joebrowvm) June 12, 2026