Strawley Leads Springfield In A Win Over Maryland

David Strawley led Springfield’s SAA 12U team in a no-hitter Thursday evening against Severn, Md. 

After four complete innings Springfield ended the game in an 11-0 victory.  

Strawley finished the game with seven strikeouts. After walking the first batter up to the plate, no Severn team member was ever safe at first base for the remainder of the game.

“My favorite pitch is my fastball and sometimes my curveball,” commented Strawley after the game. 

Up to bat first, Springfield took an early lead and never let up.  Thomas Toal, Nick Gorman, Thomas Quinn and Michael Smith all raced home to give the team a 4-0 start. Strawley finished the inning with two strikeouts. 

When asked what he is thinking while on the mound and staring down the opposing team’s batter, Strawley easily responded “I’m striking this kid out.”

Springfield continued to take advantage of every opportunity to steal bases, tag up on fly balls and score during the second inning.   Gorman and Quinn each had key hits to bring teammates Kyle Long and Smith into home plate. After two outs at first base and a strikeout, they returned to batting. 

“Well, we feel good and confident that our team dominated the other team,” Strawley said about his team’s overall performance.

If Strawley led the team on the field, then Gorman certainly led the team when they were up to bat. After scoring in the first inning and having a hit to advance Springfield’s winning margin in the second, Gorman hit an out of the park homerun bringing Toal around the bases to score as well. Connor Ringwalt and Andrew Paulus also scored runs that evening to bring the score to 10-0.

“We need to keep playing teams just like we played them today,” Gorman said. 

Following Strawley’s three quick strikeouts, Springfield picked up their bats one last time. Gregory Manning scored in the top of the fourth inning to give his team an 11-0 advantage. 

With only the bottom of the inning to finish out, Springfield made two quick outs and ended the game with Strawley’s final strikeout. 

“They know to take it one step at a time, there is a lot of time to play,” remarked head coach Rich Smith.

“Take it one game at a time and play like they are capable of playing and they will be fine.”  

Springfield is scheduled to play Bear, Del. today at 11:30 a.m, 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.