Springfield starts fast to knock off Columbiana, 5-3

By Chuck Housteau

STRUTHERS — There was an agreement in principle by both coaches that Columbiana’s two regular season victories over Springfield played no role in Thursday night’s Division IV district baseball championship game at Cene Park.

Springfield avenged the losses by turning back the Clippers 5-3 to capture the title and earn a trip for the second straight year to the regional tournament in Lorain.

The Tigers (26-4) will face the winner of the North Robinson District May 28 at 2 p.m.

Columbiana coach Scott Knox blamed a first inning throwing error that allowed three Springfield runs as the reason his Clippers couldn’t take down the Tigers for the third time this year.

Springfield coach Bob Beam said that his team was finally healthy after overcoming some early season illnesses and injuries.

“We really didn’t have our full team until the beginning of May,” Beam said. “We started winning some big games when we got everyone back and it becomes a confidence thing when you get to games at this level.

“I’m not saying that we would have beat them in the regular season with all our guys because they are a great team but it makes a difference at this point of the year.”

The point became clear when the Tigers jumped on Columbiana and sophomore pitcher Jeff Davidson for three runs in the first inning.

Travis Richey and Ronnie Bovo opened the game with singles and both came around on a throwing error on a grounder by Todd Kibby.

Kibby came home from third to score when Bryan Visingardi was thrown out attempting to steal second base after reaching on a walk.

Richey, who started for the Tigers on the mound, said the rally went a long way in steadying the nerves for him and his teammates when they took the field in the bottom of the inning.

“It was a huge relief to score those runs right at the start,” said Richey who also helped pitch his team to victory Wednesday night against Mathews. “We’ve been waiting for this game and we were so excited. Those runs helped settle me down.”

Richey pitched four strong innnings, giving up three runs on four hits before turning over the game to Kibby.

The duo has been the key to Springfield’s success for the past two seasons and their efforts together stopped a potent Columbiana offense.

Kibby allowed two hits in the last three innings to get his second save of the year and preserve the win.

“We just wanted to come out and play our best and whatever happened happened,” Kibby said. “Today everything fell our way.

“As a senior I didn’t want our season to end tonight. We have some unfinished business at regionals.”

The Tigers dropped a 7-0 decision to Gilmour Academy in last year’s regional championship game.

With the score tied at 3-3, Springfield took the lead in the fifth inning when Matt Semach opened with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brad Ferraro.

One out later Richey singled home Semach with the go-ahead run.

Springfield added an insurance run in the sixth when Dylan DeJane’s double off the left field wall chased home Visingardi who had led off the inning with a single.

“Our pitchers were unbelievable tonight,” Beam said. “Especially after using both of them [Wednesday].

“Anytime you come in and you’re not fresh it’s tough but Travis was lights out for the most part and Todd was throwing as hard as I’ve seen him all year.”

Columbiana’s bright spot was leadoff hitter Erik Kissel who had four of the Clippers’ six hits, including a double, and an RBI.