By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
SPRINGVILLE – Monday was senior night at Springville High School for the baseball team and they welcomed the Gadsden City Titans to town in a game that was more like a heavyweight fight than a baseball game, getting the 3-2 win to send the seniors out with a win in their final game at home.
Springville Baseball players celebrate.
Photo by: Cricket Jones
The first inning would be scoreless by both teams as the pitchers and defenses battled it out, like they would much of the night. In the bottom of the second, Springville would draw first blood when Asa Morrison doubled to get on base and pinch runner Cade Gleason was driven in by a Kade Willis line drive to center field.
The third inning would be a replay of the first with both teams unable to get across the plate. Springville would go up 2-0 in the fourth when Morrison got on base once again, this time with a single, and Gleason pinch ran for him again, being driven in by Grant Martinez on a line drive to left field.
Gadsden city would mount a comeback in the fifth inning, putting 2 runs on the board and holding the Tigers scoreless to make it 2-2 heading into the sixth.
Springville would answer with a run of their own in the sixth inning as Ty Harrison, who was pinch running for Willis who reached base on an earlier single to right field, was brought home for what would be the winning run when Tanner Oakes hit a grounder that was mishandled by the Titans’ third baseman, allowing Harrison to cross the plate. Neither team would score in the seventh, securing the 3-2 victory for the Tigers to end the regular season and send the seniors out with a win.
It was pitcher by committee for the Tigers as 5 different guys saw time on the mound allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and striking out 7 batters collectively. Zach Brown and Tanner Oakes led with 3 strikeouts each.
Kade Willis and Grant Martinez each had an RBI at the plate, going a combined 3 of 5 hitting.
“Winning on senior night is always good,” said Springville coach Jonathan Ford. “It had several important implications. When you are able to win, it’s great and when you are able to honor your seniors and let all of them play, that makes it that much more exciting. Also, it was our eighth straight victory. I am super proud of these guys for bouncing back the way they have after a tough spring break and we are super excited about hosting Boaz on Friday.”
Regarding the playoff game against Boaz, Coach Ford said, “Coach Adam Keenum does a great job there and has for a long time. He’s got a very tough group with several really good hitters and some good arms as well. We will have our work cut out for us. But I like where our guys are headed going into the weekend and I really hope our community can come out and support these guys Friday night and make it an amazing atmosphere.”
Springville ends the regular season at 19-12 before hosting Boaz in the first round of the playoffs on Friday.
