SPRING HILL — The fourth annual Farm Bureau Classic is going to have a new winner this year after Springstead knocked off defending champion Mitchell on Tuesday. The previously undefeated Mustangs were upset 7-2 by the Eagles in the tournament quarterfinals.
"We knew how good they were coming in," said Springstead coach Shawn Laferty. "But we pitched well, and that's the key to winning."
Springstead (10-2) started sophomore Jack Jasiak and the right-hander delivered with a solid performance. Jasiak threw five innings and surrendered two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four. He proved to be resilient as well.
With a 1-0 lead after the first inning, Jasiak surrendered runs in the second and third to fall behind 2-1. Derick Stager hit an RBI double in the third that gave the Mustangs (10-1) the lead.
In the bottom of the third, Springstead's offense picked up its pitcher. After Dakota Blevins was hit by a pitch with one out, Johnny Oliveira was intentionally walked. Joey DelGatto coaxed a walk from Mitchell starter Kyle White to load the bases.
"Our seniors had good at-bats," Laferty said. "You have to draw up the pitch count on good pitchers, and we've done that all year."
Dominic Marrone knocked a two-run double in the leftfield gap, scoring Blevins and Oliveira to recapture the lead for the Eagles. Luke Laferty followed with a sacrifice fly to right that made it 4-2, an advantage that Springstead never relinquished.
The Eagles advanced to the Farm Bureau Classic semifinals Thursday. Springstead will host Land O'Lakes with a spot in the championship game on the line.
"This tournament gets better every year," Shawn Laferty said. "You want to win it. Any coach that comes in here will tell you that."