IN THE ZONE: Princeton Day School baseball player Paul Franzoni makes contact in recent action. Last Thursday, senior star catcher Franzoni hit a three-run homer to help PDS defeat Peddie 12-0 and improve to 4-2. The Panthers host the Hill School (Pa.) on April 19, host Hamilton on April 20, play at Princeton High on April 22, and then face Gill St. Bernard’s on April 24 at TD Bank Ballpark. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Heading across town to play at the Hun School last Wednesday, the Princeton Day School baseball team came out swinging.

Senior star catcher Paul Franzoni blasted a three-run homer over the fence in center field in the top of the first inning to give PDS a 3-0 lead.

The Panthers added another run in the second and pushed across one more run in the sixth.

But in between, PDS faltered in the field, making a number of errors which Hun turned into runs as it pulled away to a 10-5 win over the Panthers.

PDS head coach Brian Dudeck acknowledged that sloppy play negated his team’s good work with the bat.

“We got off to a good start but we made some mistakes,” said Dudeck.

“We got five runs and that should put us in a good position. We didn’t execute things that we work on in practice every day. These little things change the momentum of the game and turn the game.”

In Dudeck’s view, his players let the lapses get to them, struggling to turn the page.

“Instead of getting over those mistakes, we dwelled on our mistakes a little bit,” said Dudeck.

“You do that and the ball is coming your way.”

In his post-game message, Dudeck focused on getting the squad to move on.

“I told the guys to just think about it for another hour or two and think about what you can do different that you can do to help the team tomorrow,” said Dudeck.

“The good news is that we play Peddie tomorrow and we have an opportunity to come right back and show that we are a lot better than we played today.”

PDS took advantage of that opportunity, rolling to a 12-0 win over Peddie as Franzoni slugged another three-run homer and senior lefty Ryan Sparks struck out six and walked three in a six-hit shutout as the Panthers improved to 4-2.

Franzoni’s battling spirit has been a big plus for the Panthers this spring. “Even when Paul has not got hits, he has had really good at bats,” said Dudeck.

“He is continuing to fight, he is continuing to keep his chin up. He is not getting down.”

Dudeck is confident that his players will continue to give their all as the season unfolds.

“I like the fact that I have a great group of kids and they are going to keep battling, ” said Dudeck, whose teams hosts the Hill School (Pa.) on April 19, hosts Hamilton on April 20, plays at Princeton High on April 22, and then faces Gill St. Bernard’s on April 24 at TD Bank Ballpark.

“Whoever we play, they are going to battle. We have quality kids. If they come out and make plays that they are capable of making, we are going to be in every game.”