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Baseball: Springstead wins Farm Bureau Classic crown

 
Published March 25, 2017

BROOKSVILLE — Springstead's Kevin Tomas has been the Eagles most consistent relief pitcher this season. But he found out just before Friday night's Farm Bureau Classic final against Central that he would get his first start of the season.

No big deal.

Tomas threw five innings, allowed three hits, one earned run and struck out 10 to help Springstead win 4-2 over Central for the baseball tournament championship. Springstead improves to 12-2 with their third regular season win over the Bears this season. In the tournament, the Eagles did not allow more than two runs to any of its four opponents.

"I knew I was going to pitch but I didn't know I was going to start," Tomas said. "Bodhi (Sbashnig) was supposed to start but he overslept. So I got the start. I was a starter last season and I like being a starter actually. I didn't expect 10 Ks. I know all those kids. I know they can hit the ball."

It was Springstead that came out swinging. In the first inning, Dakota Blevins and John Oliveira each got one out singles off Central starter Kestler Harbuck. Then Joey DelGatto ripped a double to score both runners.

In the second, Springstead struck again. Brett Maharaj led off with a double and two outs later Max Glenn doubled to score Maharaj. An infield error on the next play scored Glenn to make it 4-0. Turns out, that was all the runs Springstead needed.

Central relievers P.J. Moss and Adam Palma kept the Eagles off the board for the rest of the game. The Bears (8-5) made it interesting when they picked up a run in the fifth off Tomas. Jonathan Allion had a two out RBI single that scored Justin Okaska to cut the lead to 4-1.

In the sixth it became 4-2 when Ian Peacock led off the inning with a hit by pitch. He then scored on a single by Trevor Adler. Central put two on with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Eagles reliever Dominic Morrone got a fly out to second to end the game. Morrone was named the tournament's most valuable player.

"When you get four right away you think things are going to open up," Springstead coach Shawn Laferety said. "But their pitchers settled down and we were probably trying to jack the ball too much. But our defense has been good pretty much all season."