By Chris Webb

Division IV Minster (23-8) 6, New Middleton Springfield (19-7) 0           

The Division IV final carried a theme that was consistent throughout the tournament: a team jumping on the board early. But unlike the other three championships, pitching dominated the game between Minster and Springfield in the small-school division giving Minster its first baseball state title.

In the first inning, Minster, the designated visitors, opened the game with three consecutive walks as Springfield starter Brad Ferraro struggled to find the strike zone. With the bases loaded and no outs, a Craig Purpus sacrifice fly put Minster on the board first. Chase Paxon attempted to score from third on a wild pitch but was tagged out. The out at home wouldn?t halt Minster?s scoring as after a walk to re-load the bases, a two-out single by Ben Heitbrink drove in two to make it a 3-0 game and in the process, it knocked Ferraro, Springfield?s starter, from the game.

The three runs would be all that was needed for Minster.

Matt Chopp relieved Ferraro in that first inning and would pitch the next three without allowing a run, giving up only two hits while striking out three.

Minster starter Adam Niemeyer was just as impressive as the sophomore right-hander, who picked up the save in the semifinal win over powerhouse Newark Catholic, allowed just three hits without giving up a run in the four innings he pitched. When he was relieved by Austin Knapke in the fifth, the cruise control continued. Knapke pitched the final three innings without allowing a hit or run, while walking just two batters.

Three runs would be scored in the seventh by Minster off Springfield pitcher Nick Russell who relieved Chopp to start the fifth inning.  Ryan Hoying?s leadoff double re-opened the scoring while Purpus and Knapke added RBI-singles in the inning to add insurance runs.

Neither team saw a batter record a multi-hit game as Minster tallied just six hits while Springfield finished with three. The eight base-on-balls Minster drew keyed their offensive success with leadoff hitter Devon Poeppelman and three-hole hitting Niemeyer each scoring twice.  Joe Ohlin drew three walks alone for Springfield but was not able to cross home due to the stellar pitching of Niemeyer and Knapke. Ferraro received the loss while Knapke received the win.