New Middletown Springfield rallies for 5-3 win

Zac Jackson, OhioHSsports.com, June 05, 2009 12:18 p.m.

COLUMBUS -- New Middletown Springfield got a boost from the bottom of its order and two big plays by leadoff man Travis Richey in rallying to beat Newark Catholic, 5-3, Friday morning in a Div. IV state semifinal game at Huntington Park.

The Tigers trailed, 3-0, entering the bottom of the fifth before a double by eight-hitter Brad Ferraro put runners on second and third and Richey drove them in.

Richey then stole second and scored to tie the game on Ronnie Bovo's single up the the middle.

The Tigers won it in the bottom of the sixth by starting with doubles from Bryan Visingardi and Dylon DeJane, who scored the final run when Richey was hit by a pitch with two outs and the bases loaded.

Senior lefty Todd Kibby went the distance, striking out seven.

Springfield will take on either Cincinnati Reading or defending Div. IV state champion Hamler Patrick Henry Saturday at 4 p.m.

Newark Catholic got a solid performance from senior Miles Richardson, who puitched five innings, scored twice and drove in another run. Before getting into trouble in the fifth he had just one other rough spot.