Springfield's Offensive Outburst Propels Them To The 3A Title Game

June 10, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Springfield 13, Limestone 0

JOLIET, IL – Six players in the Springfield lineup had multiple hits, helping the Senators dispose of Limestone 13-0. The victory advances No. 20 Springfield to the 3A Title Game where they will face No. 22 Lemont at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Springfield (34-5) pounded out 15 total hits in the victory and started the scoring with three runs in the top of the second inning. After the first three hitters reached base to start the inning, senior Luke Ketchum drove a sacrifice fly to center field scoring the first run of the ball game. Senior Jake Langellier followed with a two-run single to left-center field.

Leading 3-0 in the top of the third inning, Springfield had runners on second and third with one out and junior shortstop Trevor Minder at the plate. As Limestone pitcher, Tanner Rhoades, started his delivery, both runners took off and Minder laid down a squeeze bunt towards the right side of the infield. The runner scored easily from third and Rhoades only play was to first base. As Rhoades threw Minder out at first base, Ethan Klay, the runner at second base, never hesitated around third base and took off for home. The throw home from first was too late and Springfield scored two runs, making it 5-0, after three and a half innings of play.

The Senators offensive barrage continued with three in the fourth and they broke the game open for good with five more runs in the top of the fifth inning, making it 13-0. Austin Troemper (3-for-3) delivered a two-run double to left-center field in the five run fifth inning.

The Rockets of Limestone managed six hits off of Springfield senior starter Michael Lavin. The right-handed Lavin pounded the strike zone, only walking one, in his five innings of shutout work. Lavin, whose fastball sat 76-79 mph, routinely mixed in his breaking ball to keep hitters off balanced at 66-70 mph.

Limestone (30-8) looked like they had something going in the bottom of the second inning after Brady Boyd hit a ringing one-out double off of the top of the left-field wall. Unfortunately for Limestone, the following hitter Blake Marsh scorched a line-drive right at the second baseman who flipped it to the shortstop, who was standing on second, for an inning ending double play.

Tomorrow Springfield will attempt to deny Lemont of their second 3A State Title in the last three years.

STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS
+ RHP Michael Lavin (Springfield) – 5IP, 6H, 0R, K, BB
+ CF Luke Ketchum (Springfield) – 2-for-3, 2RBI, 2R
+ 1B Damian Pierce (Springfield) – 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
+ SS Trevor Minder (Springfield) – 2-for-2, 2RBI, 2R
+ 2B Austin Troemper (Springfield) – 3-for-3, 2B, 2RBI, 3R
+ SS Austin Wood (Limestone) – 1-for-3, 2B
+ DH Brady Boyd (Limestone) – 1-for-2, 2B