Franzen, Booth key playoff run

When the second-seeded Brookfield Bulldogs battle the top-seeded West Bend Seven-Ups this weekend for the Land O' Lakes Western Division title and the right to advance to the Grand Championship playoffs, two of the players who Manager Jason Booth will be counting on are Kris Franzen and Scott Booth.

Franzen, 29, is a self-described slap hitter, is an excellent center fielder, who bats second in the order. Booth, 32, Jason's cousin, bats third and makes a big target (6-feet, 225 pounds) at first base for the Bulldogs infielders.

Franzen, a Milwaukee Pulaski graduate, and Booth are in their sixth season with Brookfield. Franzen finished second in the race for the batting title with a .470 average, while Booth finished with a .403 average, while leading the team in homers and RBIs during the regular season.

"It feels good to be one of the top hitters," Franzen said. "Our division is the strongest in the Land O' Lakes and it feels good to be able put up big games when we need it; even when I don't have a big game. Guys have been picking it up."

Booth has been pleased with his batting average, since he is usually more focused with the power part of his game.

"I think everybody monitors their statistics and knows where they're at," he said. "I've never been a really big average guy. I strike out quite a bit because I'm more of a power guy. Having the average where it is this year is definitely something I'm proud of. It's not something that happens every year for me."

Jason Booth is happy to pencil in both players in his line-up.

"Kris has confidence at the plate and it spreads to our entire team," he said. "He is just one of those guys who goes out there and puts the bat on the ball. The whole team feeds off him at the plate. That's why I love him in the number two hole. (He's) a contact hitter, one of the fastest guys in the league. We rely on him for leadership, his confidence carries the team."

Booth has been pleased with the play of his cousin, who is coming off his second knee surgery.

"Scott has been a big surprise in the fact that he is making contact every time. He definitely doesn't get cheated up there with his swings. He's just been consistent all year. His power numbers have been way up and he's really been reliable coming off his second knee surgery."

The Bulldogs will host West Bend at 1 p.m. Saturday at McCoy Field.

With the veteran designated hitter Ernest Castro (.429), shortstop Jason Rutz (.347), catcher Brandon Reddinger (.302), third baseman Mike Jacobs (.300) and outfielder/designated hitter Josh Lemke (.348) joining Franzen and Scott Booth, the Bulldogs will have a formidable lineup to throw at the Seven-Up.