Baseball: Francke’s hit wins it for Mater Dei, 6-5

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Kevin Francke drilled a pitch past a diving right fielder with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to drive in the winning run and lift Santa Ana Mater Dei over Anaheim Esperanza, 6-5, in a semifinal game of the National Classic at Cal State Fullerton.

Mater Dei (15-2), ranked No. 2 by The Times, will face No. 3 El Toro (15-2) in Thursday’s 7 p.m. championship game at Fullerton. It’s about as good a matchup as there could be, with both teams having quality pitchers still available.

Brian Frattali, who had three hits, led off the bottom of the seventh with a single. Stephen Lapchak followed with a bunt single against Frankie Patino. Tommy Colton struck out. Then Francke came through with his game-winning hit.

-- Eric Sondheimer