Springfield Extends Record to 2-0 in Cal Ripken Mid-Atlantic Tournament

Springfield’s SAA 12U team raised their record to 2-0 in the Cal Ripken Mid-Atlantic Tournament with a 6-4 win over Bear, Del.

“This was a huge game for us,” said pitcher, Michael Smith.  “They beat us twice last year, 6 to 4 and 12 to 1. So this was a big game.”

Springfield started off strong at the top of the first inning. Smith led the team throwing two strikeouts and completing a play to first basemen, Thomas Quinn. 

As Springfield picked up their bats in the bottom of the first, Nick Gorman continued to impress with his batting skills. After two outs Gorman followed his strong hitting game yesterday with a second out of the park home run today. The home run brought in lead hitter, Kyle Long, giving Springfield a 2-0 advantage. 

“It is just my swing working for me,” Gorman casually remarked after the game.

With a score of 2-1 going into the third inning, Springfield held Bear to zero runs at a crucial time. Second baseman, John Militello made the first out followed by a play from third basemen Connor Ringwalt to Quinn at first base. Gorman caught the ball in left field to make three consecutive outs for Springfield’s defense.   

“If we keep up playing like we are, then we will do good,” Smith said.

“If we keep playing like this than hopefully we will win.”

In the bottom of the third, Springfield advanced their lead to 5-1. As a result of doubles hit by both Quinn and Andrew Todaro, Gorman and Quinn scored. Todaro was brought in to home plate after a hit by Ringwalt.  

Yet even as Bear began to gain momentum in the fourth inning with players on second and third base, Springfield cut them off. At second base, Ringwalt had three key plays that resulted in the three outs that inning. After throwing out a player at first and home plate, Ringwalt finished the inning with another successful throw to first. 

With no runs scored in the fourth inning, Bear refused to give up without a fight, and responded with three runs.

When asked what the key moment in the game was head coach, Rich Smith, responded, “pitching.” And in the top of the fifth inning Michael Smith’s pitching continued to impress. Smith ended the inning with three strikeouts.

A hit by Gorman in the bottom of the fifth brought in Toal after stealing second and third base.

In the final inning, Springfield’s defense stepped up for a final time.  An out from Ringwalt to Quinn at first base followed by another of Smith’s strikeouts left the team one out away from the win. And with a pop up hit to right field, Andrew Paulus made the final out.

“They (Bear) were a very good team, a well coached team,” Smith said. “If we just play our game anything can happen.” 

Springfield is scheduled to play the western New York team, Ithaca, on Saturday at 10 a.m. and the eastern New York team, Hilltop, on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Quarterfinals will be held Sunday at 11 a.m., with semifinals at 4 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m.