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Tigers win on Bovo’s hit
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
NEW MIDDLETOWN
With the tying and winning runs on base and only one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Springfield’s Ronnie Bovo just wanted to put the ball in play.
Bovo did just that, blasting a double to the left field fence that scored Cody Pitzo and Nick Russell, giving the Tigers a 4-3 victory in an Inter Tri-County game against Columbiana.
After Joey Ohlin struck out to start the Tigers’ seventh, Pitzo reached base on a throwing error and promptly stole second base. Russell then beat out an infield single.
The hit put runners on first and third, and after Russell stole second base, Bovo stepped up with the game on the line.
“I just wanted to put the ball in play, hit it somewhere,” said the junior shortstop and team’s number-three hitter. “I got a fastball up and in, just where I like it, and ripped it.”
Bovo’s hit ruined an impressive outing by Columbiana pitcher Josh Saverko.
Saverko came into the game in the second inning after the Clippers’ starter, Jeff Davidson, developed a tight back.
Saverko pitched flawlessly until the seventh inning, giving up only two hits before Columbiana coach Scott Knox relieved him after Russell’s infield hit.
“Josh did a great job on short notice after Davidson had his back tighten up in the first inning,” said assistant coach Jerry Ensley. “Josh didn’t give up much at all but we thought he may have been tiring and with their two best hitters coming up we made the move to go with the left-hander.”
Columbiana (8-6, 5-2) scored a run in the first inning when leadoff hitter Andrew Burdick reached on an error and scored on a triple by Davidson.
Davidson was stranded at third on a terrific effort by Springfield (9-4, 5-2) pitcher Jim Behnke (2-0) who got the next three hitters on a groundout, strikeout and pop up to end the inning.
Springfield took the lead briefly in the bottom of the first inning when Dylan DeJane blasted a two-run homer over the 350-foot sign in left center field.
DeJane’s blast scored Russell who reached base on a single.
Columbiana tied the game in the second inning when Kyle Schaffer reaced on an error and scored on a fielder’s choice by Burdick.
Burdick got his second RBI and gave the Clippers the lead when his single scored Schlueter in the fourth inning.
“Behnke’s pitched really well for us this year,” said Springfield coach Bob Beam. “Our defense made a lot of errors and that gave them all their runs.
“Usually against a good team like Columbiana you’re not able to squeak a game out when you make four errors. But Behnke kept his composure and did a real nice job.”
The two teams meet again this afternoon, this time at Columbiana, with first place in the league standings on the line.
“We’re looking forward to getting right back out there and facing them again,” said Ensley. “Tonight they got the better of it.”