Bova keys Western Reserve’s run to state


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While ace pitcher Nick Allison gets more attention, Western Reserve shortstop/No. 2 pitcher Tristan Bova (23) has played a key role in the Blue Devils’ run to the Division IV state semifinals.

By Curtis Pulliam

cpulliam@vindy.com

Berlin Center

Like any teen, Tristan Bova fell in love.

Only it was with baseball, not a person.

“Eighth-grade year we went undefeated, 21-0,” said Bova, who had two big hits in Friday’s regional final win over Cuyahoga Heights. “We won the championship and beat our rival four or five times. I think it was the way my class banded together. Right then and there I knew baseball was kind of like one thing we all had in common.”

While there are seven seniors on this year’s team, most of the attention has been focused on senior starting pitcher Nick Allison.

That’s fine with Bova.

“I wish nothing but the best,” Bova said “I would love to see him go play somewhere. That would be incredible.”

The buzz around Allison is something that Bova has not let affect him or his teammates this season.

“We had a list of goals,” Bova said. “One was to win the ITCL [Inter Tri-County League], one was to win districts, and one was a deep playoff run. We didn’t say how deep, but we just wanted to make a deep run.”

Bova, the team’s second pitcher and starting shortstop, has been a key part that run.

Bova had a great regional, pitching in Thursday’s semifinal in place of Allison. Bova threw for five innings and gave up three runs in a 5-2 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, only knowing minutes beforehand that he would get the start.

Head coach Ed Anthony, whose team has won 15 straight, knows how important Bova is to his team’s success.

“He’s been big for us,” Anthony said. “When Nick Allison experienced some soreness [in his elbow] there, he stepped in the district and also the regional. He carried us with his pitching.”

On Friday, jumping back into his normal role at shortstop, he had a RBI double to drive in the Blue Devils’ first run. His next at-bat, Bova hit a single, driving in what turned out to be the winning run. If that wasn’t enough, Bova made a sparkling defensive play in the top of the seventh against Cuyahoga Heights for the first out of the inning.

“And then Friday, he also carried us with his leadership, his offensive and defensive input,” said Anthony. “He is definitely deserving of any accolades they give him. He’s supplied a lot of leadership for me.”

Bova, who is hitting .287 on the year, also been fantastic in the other two phases of the game. Pitching-wise, he is 7-1 with an ERA under 2.00. Additionally, Bova has only committed three errors all year at shortstop.

Bova, a three-year starter for Anthony’s squad, hit .350 his sophomore year and .380 last season. While his hitting numbers may be down, Anthony believes Bova, who hits in the No. 8 hole, has been overlooked.

“Bova’s kind of flew under the radar a little bit,” Anthony said. “He’s had a great season.”

Even with his numbers and praises from Anthony, Bova doesn’t think he will play college baseball.

“I don’t know if it’s in the cards for me,” Bova said, who has had a few looks from colleges. “I’m not sure what I want to do yet.”

For now, though, Bova is more concerned about one thing: capturing a state title.

“Just being there in itself is incredible,” Bova said. “For us to win a state title, if we were to win it, I think that it would be incredible for our program, putting us on the map and incredible for the community.”

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