New softball coach Maddie Uschock has her first win at Franklin Regional.

Franklin Regional snapped a five-game losing streak to open the season by blanking McKeesport, 10-0, in six innings.

It was the maiden victory for Uschock, the former Hempfield ace pitcher.

Another win followed as the Panthers roughed up Gateway, 14-3.

Williams a draft pick?

Franklin Regional shortstop Luke Williams can fire a baseball more than 90 mph across the diamond.

The senior has skills that college scouts have coveted for a few years. He is primed to play in the SEC at Vanderbilt, but those plans could change if a major league team drafts him this summer.

The possibility is gaining traction.

Williams’ name is popping up on national draft boards, with some outlets projecting him as a top 50 prospect.

The College Baseball Show recently released its top 100 high school prospects for the MLB Draft in July and Williams is No. 29, listed as a shortstop and outfielder. JustBaseball.com also lists Williams at No. 29 among the prep prospects.

“I’ve talked to nearly every team,” Williams said. “I’ve done in-home meetings where they come to your house, zoom calls and workouts. I’ve seen projections of where I’m at; I think the highest I’ve seen was in the 30-40 range.

Williams’ speed, big bat and “twitchiness” — a popular buzzword among scouts — has him primed to lead Franklin Regional in his final prep season and make a jump to the next level.

“I don’t pay too much attention to it, though, and am focused on finishing this season strong and winning a WPIAL championship.”

Willilams came back strong from torn ligaments in his ankle. The injury occurred in the Panthers’ WPIAL playoff game. Williams was wearing metal cleats on a turf field.

His brother, Jake, played at the Division I level, taking a gap year before playing four years at Yale.

Jake is getting married soon and Luke will be his best man.

“I have to get my speech ready,” Luke said.

The address will likely involve baseball. How could it not?

Willliams may have to get a different speech ready if he makes the big leagues.

Lacrosse teams win

Grant Novotny fired in eight goals, Cole Stackiewicz added six and Christian Gesuale had three apiece as the Franklin Regional boys lacrosse teams trounced Gateway, 21-2.

The Panthers girls also were victorious, 14-3 against Greensburg Salem as Leah Wagner scored four goals and Isabella Ioannou had three.

Hockey stars

Penguin Cup and Pennsylvania Cup champion Sean Goodman of Penn-Trafford scored two goals and added an assist to help the Blue Team to a 4-2 win over Gold in the PIHL Class 2A hockey all-star game. Guerin Gardner added two goals and Jonathan Holtzman had two assists for Gold.

Brendan Yohe had a goal for Franklin Regional in the Gold’s 7-3 loss to Blue in the 3A game.