By Chris Parker
Springfield Catholic’s run through the postseason finished one win short of a state title after the Irish couldn’t overcome a big first inning from John Burroughs in the Class 4 state title game.
The Bombers scored six first-inning runs, which was more than enough for their starting pitcher Bowen Brantingham who went 6.1 innings with 13 strikeouts in a 9-4 win.
“I told the kids from the second inning on, we won. It was just one big inning that kind of cost us tonight. We didn’t play our best. That is the way the game is. Baseball can be cruel. It can be absolutely the best game in the world,” Catholic head coach Courtney Spitz said.
The Irish plated three runs in the top of the second in the midst of a downpour of rain to cut the John Burroughs lead in half. Colin Soetaert and Logan Ripper walked back-to-back with two outs. Cole Schoen stepped up and hit a triple to center field and scored on a throwing error to account for all three runs.
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That is all the Irish would get until scoring a run in the top of the seventh inning.
Catholic felt like it was playing with house money. The Irish moved up a class this year and drew the No. 3 seed in their district, but still were able to advance all the way to the state championship game.
“I told them we weren’t really supposed to be here whether we were a three seed or a two seed, it doesn’t really matter. We bumped up a class. It is better baseball. They dug in and put the work in and willed themselves back to a state championship game,” Spitz said. “There are not too many kids in high school who can say they won a district championship every year they played, went to two final fours and played for two state championships. A tremendous group. I am so proud of these kids. I will never forget this, and they will never forget it.”
Catholic will say good-bye to a five-player senior class that features some all-time program greats including Ben Smith, Coleman Morrison, Logan Ripper, Hans Kaiser and Kurtis Lammers.
“The leadership and quality of kids that they are,” said Spitz of how he will remember the seniors. “They are great ball players. We see the success on the field. They are a great representation of their families and our school system. Going to two final fours and two state championships, those things are tangible, and you can see that, but they made us better every single day at practice. They made me a better coach and made the game fun. I (will) love those kids forever.”
Catholic finishes the season with a 21-8 record overall.
