By Trace Fowler

CENTERVILLE- No. 25 Springboro faced off against the No. 2 Ranked Centerville Elks on senior day. Centerville would turn to senior Cole Fitzgerald while the Panthers of Springboro countered with Rex Leuthke.

Centerville would break the scoreless game in the second with a sacrifice fly by Diamyn Hall (Lincoln Trail Recruit). Springboro would answer in the next half inning with a RBI double by junior Sean Kennedy, evening the score at 1-1 heading into the bottom half of inning number three.

Elks senior outfielder Ben Herlihy laced a one out double. Herlihy would advance to third on a misplayed ground ball and Fitzgerald would help himself with a sacrifice fly giving Centerville a one run advantage headed into the fourth.

Springboro would answer back in the fifth with a RBI single by Austin Woodby. Centerville junior reliever Derek Hendrixson would limit the damage and keep the score knotted 2-2. 

Hendrixson would draw a leadoff walk to force Leuthke to be relieved by Austin Reynolds. Hendrixson would move to second on a ground ball, third on a balk, and would score on a wild pitch giving the Elks a 3-2 lead.

The Panthers would storm back in the sixth starting with a single by Colton Fortner. Austin Reynolds would then make the impact play of the game by driving a fastball into deep right field that allowed Fortner to score from first. After aggressive base running and an Elks miscue, Reynolds found himself standing on third. Sean Kennedy would then add another hit and RBI to give Springboro the lead for good at 4-3.

Austin Reynolds would continue his phenomenal work in relief by shutting down the Elks potent offense over the next two innings and give Springboro the victory 4-3.

Hendrixson was touched up a little, yet still showed impressive tools that could make him a desirable prospect at the next level.

Springboro improves to (8-1) GWOC and (17-4) overall, while Centerville falls to (7-2) GWOC, (18-3) overall. Springboro will host Loveland for two tomorrow, first pitch 10:00 AM. Centerville will host GMC foe Middletown tomorrow beginning their double header at noon.