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By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Clever Blue Jays advanced to the Class 3 District 10 championship game.
The bad news was Springfield-Catholic junior hurler and University of Missouri commit Ben Smith and his counterparts were waiting … on their home field!
Smith allowed one hit and the offense plated 10 runs in the 10-0 final Wednesday — marking back-to-back-to-back district crowns for Smith and company.
“We are building a program here that builds upon winning,” Smith said. “We have been in a lot of district championships in the past, and we just keep trying to tack on.”
Smith said intense practices help for a seamless transition come game day.
“We are disciplined,” he said. “We work our tails off every day. I owe to it Coach Spitz and the coaches, and the team, for really building what we have.”
Smith owns the tempo — with his frame standing tall and his intense bulldog laser vision creating a dominating presence.
Oh, and the fastball is coming in at about 91 mph.
“He is one of the best, all around” Catholic skipper Courtney Spitz said, speaking on the junior’s presence as well as his professionalism.
With the trifecta of district titles, the Irish know there is a bullseye on their backs each and every time on the diamond.
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Spitz said it seems to be a motivator.
Added Spitz: “That is what we talk a lot about. If you want to be successful, then people are going to have a target and you have to play up to those expectations. These kids come to work every day, and they demand the best of themselves, and that makes it fun to coach.”
The Irish now await Tuesday, May 24, when they play host to Hartville at the Class 3 sectionals. Time is TBD.
Hartville will throw its ace, Missouri State commit Brody McNiel.
As for Spitz’s senior class, the win means at least one more time suiting up in the green and white.
“These kids have been with me from the beginning. I have only been at Catholic for five years. Just an awesome group to be around,” Spitz said of the senior class. “I am just so happy for them. They have been through some success, and they just wanted to add on top of it. Not a better group to lead us.”
Irish offense
Smith helped his own cause, driving in the first run in the opening frame.
A bit of foreshadowing, for sure, given his performance on the bump, as he struck out 14 in six innings.
In the second, the Irish plated five runs, with RBI by Ben Ruter, Galligos, Leonhart, and two RBI by Jack Schoen on his single.
In the fifth, after the first two reached via singles, Ruter connected for the sac fly, and Logan Ripper then scored on the fielder’s choice.
In the sixth, Coleman Morrison (who also has committed to the University of Missouri), drove in a run.
The final run came with bases loaded and a fielding error by the Jays on the final play.
Clever, starter Corbin Allie took the loss.
For Clever’s skipper, Justin Snider, this marks the end of his time at the helm of the Jays.
Snider has accepted the athletic director and assistant principal job at Miller High School.
Snider led his Blue Jays to two Final Four appearances (2011, 2012) and three district titles (2011, 2012, and 2019) during his tenure.
