Lucas Franco came into Saturday ready.

The junior didn’t know it, but when he walked into the locker room Saturday morning, head coach Brett Wallace told him ‘you have the ball,’ as Franco was given the start on the mound for the most important game in Cinco Ranch’s season so far.

Franco didn’t’ disappoint. He threw a complete game for the Cougars, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out three in Cinco Ranch’s 8-3 series cinching win over Stratford in the area round, also driving in three runs to lead the Cougars to their second straight regional quarterfinal appearance.

“I had no idea I was starting coming into today, but Wallace told me and I just said ‘let’s go,” Franco said. “I just got hyped up immediately. I knew we would get after it today, we all love to compete and I’m just so happy I was able to do my job out there.”

The Cougars scored eight runs in their game two win and kept things going by getting hot early in game three. Cinco got two runners on in the first and both moved into scoring position on a double steal. Zach Franco then hit a double and drove in both to get ahead early.

“It was awesome to get that in the first inning,” Lucas Franco said. “I told everyone beforehand that I wanted to pitch with a lead and go after guys, getting those two runs really let me do that and it set the tone for the whole game. That was huge for us.”

The game stayed that way through four innings and then Cinco broke the game open in the fifth. The Cougars started the inning with three straight singles and then Franco stepped to the plate and drove in all three with a double of his own before a sixth run came across on a throwing error. Cinco added two more runs in the sixth on bases loaded walks and Stratford scored three in the bottom of the seventh before Franco closed it out with a ground out.

“He’s a guy that always gets it done in the clutch and in a big moment like this you want the ball in the hands of your superstar,” Wallace said. “That’s Lucas. He’s come up in every big spot we’ve asked him to and I knew he would step up again today.”

The Cougars advance to play Memorial in the third round of the playoffs, times and dates to be determined for the series. Cinco played Memorial in last years area round and swept the Mustangs in two games. Cinco will be trying to advance to the regional semifinals for the second straight season.

“The chemistry with these guys is amazing,” Franco said. “I’ve had more fun with than with any team I’ve been a part of. Last year was amazing going four rounds but this year, winning with these guys is just different and I think we can make another run.”