Ron Franklin wins national American Legion baseball awards

The American Legion announced its annual baseball awards Wednesday, and Pedal Valves third baseman/outfielder Ron Franklin received a pair of the highest national honors.

The 2019 American Legion Baseball Slugger Award goes to Franklin, who compiled a .600 batting average in national competition. The Archbishop Rummel product helped Pedal Valves (Destrehan Post 366, La.) capture the Louisiana and Mid-South Regional titles on the way to the Legion World Series. The Cardinals went 3-0 in pool play in the series befire falling in the single-elimination semifinals in Shelby, N.C.

Franklin also received the Click Cowger RBI award.

American Legion Baseball lost a dynamic leader during the 1970 season. In his memory, the National Americanism Commission established the Dr. Irvin L. (Click) Cowger RBI Memorial Award. The recipient of this annual award, is the American Legion Baseball player who is credited with the most runs batted in by the official scorers at the respective Regional tournament and World Series.

Franklin took the Cowger honor by tallying 15 RBIs in national Legion competition.

Two Pedal Valves teammates, Stephen Klein (De La Salle and Delgado) and Kolby Bourgeois (Lutcher), joined Franklin on the 2019 American Legion World Series All-Tournament Team:

Designated Hitter: Zach Sandy, Fargo Post 2, N.D.

Utility Player: Zack Kluvers, Fargo Post 2, N.D.

Catcher: Chandler Ibach, Fargo Post 2, N.D.

First Base: Blake Anderson, Fargo Post 2, N.D.

Second Base: Bruer Webster, Idaho Falls Post 56, Idaho

Third Base: Ron Franklin, Destrehan Post 366, La

Shortstop: Alex Cortez, Idaho Falls Post 56, Idaho

Outfield: Trevor Marsh, Ranolph County Post 45, N.C.

Outfield: Andrew Gregerson, Idaho Falls Post 56, Idaho

Outfield: Kolby Bourgeois, Destrehan Post 366, La.

Pitcher: Caden Christenson, Idaho Falls Post 56, Idaho

Pitcher: Stephen Klein, Destrehan Post 366, La.

Pitcher: Taylor Parrett, Fargo Post 2, N.D.