Springfield cruises into regional title game 13-1

By Jon Moffett

The Tigers pounded out 11 hits in rolling over Buckeye Central in five innings.

LORAIN — The Springfield High offense has caught fire this postseason, and it showed no signs of going out Thursday.

The Tigers defeated Buckeye Central, 13-1, in a Division III regional baseball semifinal, at the Pipe Yard. Springfield accumulated 11 hits over the course of the five-inning game.

“We’re just coming together,” said Springfield freshman shortstop Ronnie Bovo. “We’re playing as a team. We have a game [today] and we can’t let up.”

Bovo finished with two hits, two runs scored and was hit by a pitch.

Springfield (24-5) will play Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (23-4) today at the Pipe Yard in the regional final at 2 p.m. Gilmour defeated Ashland Mapleton, 4-0, in Tuesday’s other semifinal.

Similarly to what they have done throughout this postseason, the Tigers took command of the game early, scoring 11 runs in the top of the first inning. The first eight Tigers reached base safely, as Buckeye Central starting pitcher Abram Kaple, a junior, struggled to make an out.

Kaple allowed 10 earned runs on seven hits in his one inning of work. He finished the day with two walks, while hitting another, and one strikeout.

Leading the Tigers was junior third baseman Bryan Visingardi, who finished with two hits, five RBIs, and three runs scored. His base hit drove in the first two runs of the game. He came around to score on a base hit by sophomore first baseman Dylan DeJane.

DeJane finished with three hits, including a double and a triple, three RBIs and a run scored.

On the mound for the Tigers was right-handed junior Travis Richey (8-0). Richey was nearly flawless on the day, with a hit batter as his only black mark. He finished without allowing a hit in his three innings, striking out three.

“Travis is a great pitcher,” said Springfield coach Bob Beam. “He’s pretty good for a little guy [5-foot-7]. He’s got some good stuff.”

Richey, along with fellow standout pitcher Todd Kibby, helped out with the offensive production. Richey had a base hit and scored a run, while Kibby, a junior, added a walk, two runs and was plunked once.

Buckeye Central junior reliever Brent Hays was asked to come in and stop the bleeding for the Buckeyes in the second inning. Hays allowed two earned runs on four hits. He struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.

Thursday’s win marked the fourth consecutive tournament game that Springfield has won by at least 10 runs. Beam wasn’t surprised by his team’s offensive explosion.

“We’ve got some guys who can really hit the baseball,” he said. “We have some big aggressive kids on this team. You really can’t ask for more than that.”

moffett@vindy.com