Northampton used a seven-run second inning to erase an early deficit before scoring two runs in the fifth to edge Franklin Township, 9-7, in Connie Mack baseball at Walnutport on Friday.

Franklin Township led 5-0 before Northampton sent 11 men to the plate in the second inning to take a 7-5 lead.

“This team is really resilient,” said Chad Werkheiser, Northampton manager. “We did it last year when we were down at states, getting behind, and these kids never quit. These kids know the game. They are solid kids and they know the situation. Down by five, you know, do not do anything stupid on the bases and, as a team, we are just going to pick each other up.”

In the first inning, Franklin Township’s first two batters reached and came around to score, making it 2-0. Northampton loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning with one out, but Franklin Township pitcher Pierce Goida retired Kayde Ibarra and Luke Stopey to end the threat.

After Franklin Township added three more runs in the top of the second inning, Northampton got on the board. Chase Werkheiser led off the inning with a walk, then Garrett Allabach also reached base. Dane Spengler’s single scored Werkheiser for Northampton’s first run. After a walk to Chase Bodnar loaded the bases, Ty Rutzmoser walked in Allabach for Northampton’s second run.

Northampton made it 5-3 when Matt Buskirk singled off of Braylon Hunsicker, who came on in relief for Franklin Township to score courtesy runner Garrett Bealer. William Burrell singled to score Bodnar, making it a one-run game.

With the bases still loaded, Kayde Ibarra singled to score Rutzmoser and Buskirk, giving Northampton its first lead at 6-5. They added one more run when Franklin Township committed a throwing error attempting to turn a double play, allowing Ibarra to score for their seventh run.

Franklin Township came right back to tie it with two runs in the third inning at seven.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning. Relief pitcher Mason Martisofski singled. Courtesy runner Bryton Kovach went to second on a sacrifice bunt, then advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring the go-ahead run on a Rutzmoser single.

Northampton added an insurance run when Josh Carrasco tripled home Rutzmoser.

After that, Northampton left the rest to their pitching staff. Martisofski and Nate Kovach pitched 4 ⅓ innings of scoreless relief after Buskirk started and pitched 2 ⅔ innings.

“We are loaded on the pitching staff right now,” Werkheiser said. “We have a lot of guys that can come in and do the job.”

The win moved Northampton to 8-1-1 on the season, continuing their strong start.

“I think our team could do a little bit better with hitting, so once they get that going, I think we will have faster starts,” Werkheiser said. “But again, our pitching staff is one of the best in the Valley, I think, and hopefully that can carry us pretty far in the season.”

Northampton was scheduled to play at Southern Lehigh on Monday. They will visit South Parkland on Friday.