By Chris Parker
Springfield Catholic baseball is back in a state title game thanks to eight strong innings on the mound from Ben Smith and a walk-off hit from Logan Ripper. The Irish beat Excelsior Springs 3-2 to advance to the Class 4 state championship game.
The teams were knotted 2-2 after seven innings sending the game to extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Smith, a Mizzou signee, got a fly out and a pop out for the first two outs of the inning. He completed his career on the mound for Catholic with a three-pitch strikeout to send the game to the bottom of the eighth where Smith was set to lead off.
“He struck that guy out to end the inning and he was juiced up. I said (to him) let’s get your mind right. I need you on base,” Catholic head coach Courtney Spitz said.
Smith walked to the plate knowing he needed to make something happen.
“The coaches told me before the at-bat I have to do something to get the other guys going,” Smith said. “We knew that guy was predominantly fastballs on the mound, and I knew I was going to get fastballs. I felt confident and I just swung my hardest.”
What Smith did was rip a double to deep left field to electrify the Catholic fans and dugout. Quinn Northrup came on to run for Smith. After a strikeout, walk by Ben Ruter and another strikeout, Logan Ripper walked to the plate with two on and two out and the game on the line.
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It brought back memories of the state quarterfinal against Nevada game where Ripper came through with a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give Catholic the only two runs of the game.
“I love that pressure. It puts me in a spot where I have to get something done and I just love it. I love that sense of do something. It gets me riled up,” Ripper said. “It is more or less a tunnel vision. It is nerves but a lot of tunnel vision. You are focused on what the pitcher wants to throw and you see the ball and jump on it.”
Ripper was able to hit the ball just over the second baseman’s glove into shallow centerfield to bring Northrup home and set off the celebration.
“He (Ripper) is a confident kid. He wants that spot. As I said when he hit that home run against Nevada, he is swinging the bat really well. He has been swinging the well for two or three weeks. I love his approach at the plate and the swings he has been putting on baseballs. Just happy that a senior gets up there in that moment and delivers for our ballclub,” Spitz said.
Catholic will face John Burroughs for the Class 4 state championship at 7 pm on Thursday in Ozark. The Irish finished runner-up in Class 3 last season.
“To get bumped up a class and still make it to the state championship means a lot to us as a program and it shows what we are really all about,” Smith said. “(Coach Courtney) Spitz preaches success every single day. We have gone out here and shown that.”
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
The Irish, ranked No. 5 in the Class 4 state rankings, know they will have their hands full with No. 2 ranked John Burroughs.
“We were here last year. We know what it is like to come out and play a state championship game. We are going to face a good arm on the mound, but I think that we have the confidence going into that game that we are going to do our best and we are going to leave it all on the field, and that is all that really matters,” Smith said.
“Our guys want it more (after getting) a little taste of last year and falling short,” Spitz said. “We are going to go up against a great ballclub tomorrow and it is going to be a tough game for both teams. I feel like pitching is going to be the key (with) two great arms on the mound.”
Wednesday’s game was the last time that Smith will take the mound for the Irish. His final game was a gem throwing eight innings with nine strikeouts yielding two runs.
“To have a kid like (Smith) come through your program is once in a lifetime. He is different. He always has been different. He is our leader. He is our go-getter. He is the guy that if I had to win one game on the mound, I would go to him,” Spitz said. “I can’t wait to see what he does with his career because he is a phenomenal person and even better ball player.”
