Mansfield is now in sole possession of first place in the Hockomock League’s Large School Division in both hockey and boys’ basketball thanks to the efforts of the Hornet athletes in two highly successful games against Franklin Sunday, Jan. 30.

After an early-evening match in basketball, the Mansfield hockey team completed the day on a terrific note, knocking off Franklin 4-1 at Pirelli Veterans Memorial Rink on Sunday night. The win improved the Hornets to 11-1-1 overall, 8-1 in the league and 5-0 in the division, while the Panthers dropped to 9-2 overall, 7-1 in the league and 4-1 in the division.

Mansfield fell behind 1-0 in the second period, but scored four straight goals to get the win. Junior left wing Mike Blackman scored a pair of goals for the Hornets, while sophomore goalie Rich Shipman made 23 saves to get the win in net.

Following a scoreless first period, Franklin took a 1-0 lead at 2:24 of the second when Mark Teehan scored a power-play goal off assists from Nick Bertoni and Ryan Garland.

Mansfield tied the game at 1-1 when Blackman scored his first goal with 3:27 remaining in the second period with senior defenseman Connor McGowan collecting an assist.

The Hornets took the lead for good in the third when junior defenseman Jason Collins scored a power-play goal. Later in the period, senior left wing Tom Hurley gave his team some breathing room with a goal off an assist from senior captain Greg McCarthy.

After Shipman thwarted the Panthers on several attempts to get back in the game, Blackman completed the scoring on an empty-net goal with two seconds left.

The Hornets are scheduled to get back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Aleixo Arena in Taunton to face Attleboro in a Large School Division contest at 6 p.m.