Baseball: Sidney can’t keep up with Springboro in district semi

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CENTERVILLE — Sidney looked like a team on a mission early in a Division I district semifinal baseball game against Springboro at Centerville High School on Tuesday. However, that mission was thwarted and the season halted abruptly by Springboro 13-3 in six innings.

The No. 8 seed Yellow Jackets (17-9), coming off of their sectional final upset of Troy, loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning against Panthers starting pitcher Luke Burroughs and managed to score three runs. They batted around in that first inning, but did leave the bases loaded.

Definitely the kind of start to the game that Sidney coach Tom Goffena was hoping for.

“It was a great start, but I knew that wasn’t going to be enough against this team,” Goffena said.

Those numbers began with a run in the first inning and six more in the second inning when the No. 5 seed Panthers (20-8) batted around themselves in part by recording five hits for the big early lead.

That chased Sidney starting pitcher Gavin Roberts, who was fresh off of his sectional opening six-inning, two-hit scoreless seven innings against Fairborn. In this one, Roberts unofficially gave up six runs on four walks and two hits. Mitchell Davis and Carson Taylor came in relief, but experienced similar results.

Sprinboro’s first five hitters in their line-up were all-GWOC performers this season and they delivered.

Goffena knew what they were dealing with.

“They put up numbers all year,” Goffena said. “There’s not too many teams that have held them down.”

All of Sidney’s runs came in the first inning when Roberts led off with a single to left field. E.J. Davis tried to bunt him over, but the pitcher fielded it and fired it to second base for what appeared to be an out.

However, the umpire ruled that Springboro shortstop Zach Gardner did not have possession long enough and Roberts was safe at second. Carson Taylor followed with a single to load the bases and nobody out. Jack Davidson then beat out a ball at first base when the pitcher covering the base bobbled the throw and Roberts scored. After a Gardner error that plated another run, Davis walked with the bases-loaded for the third and final run.

Springboro got one back in the first inning with the help of two walks, a throwing error and one hit. However, it was the second inning that proved costly for the Yellow Jackets, but it wasn’t without its controversy.

Leading off the inning, Roberts was able to entice Springboro catcher Ethan O’Bryan to pop out to third base on a full count pitch. However, after the out was recorded, the call was reversed. Instead, evidently, the base umpire ruled a balk on Roberts, but no runners were on base to advance.

Usually, when a balk is called, the runners on base get a free pass to the next base. A balk can also be called a ball when thrown to the plate. So, on that pitch, instead of a pop out, it was recorded as a base on balls.

That event put Roberts in a jam because a walk and a hit later the bases were loaded and Davis was in. Springboro tacked on six in that second inning, four more in the fourth inning and their final two in the sixth innings.

After that big first inning, Sidney only managed three more baserunners the rest of the way off Burroughs, who gave up five hits and only one walk.

Davidson, Roberts and Taylor each had a hit and scored a run, and Aiden Booth singled and stole a base.

Springboro totaled twelve hits and took advantage of ten Yellow Jackets walks.

Goffena was proud of his team’s efforts, especially his pitching staff.

“I’ll put my pitching staff up against anyone’s,” Goffena said. “I know the numbers don’t say it tonight, but in every level of baseball everybody has a bad game. It’s just one game.

“It wasn’t the pitching that lost this game, these guys are good. I’m proud of our guys.

“After the success we had last year, people were doubting if we could win 10 games, but our guys still came out and had this type of season. I’m very proud of how they fought every game. I’m very proud of our guys.”

With eyes on the future, Goffena likes what he sees.

“The good thing is, we are only losing one of these pitchers.”

For Sidney, seniors Jack Davidson, E.J. Davis, Donavin Johnson, Parker Stewart, and Carson Taylor played their last game in the black and gold.

Springboro advances to the district finals on Thursday again at Centerville, where they will meet the No. 1 seed in the Cincinnati sectional in Moeller at 5 p.m.

Sidney’s Aiden Booth swings during a Division I district semifinal against Springboro on Tuesday in Centerville.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9969-3.jpgSidney’s Aiden Booth swings during a Division I district semifinal against Springboro on Tuesday in Centerville. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Carson Taylor jumps in an attempt to catch a throw to first as Springboro’s Mark Schaaf approaches at Centerville on Tuesday.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9735-3.jpgSidney’s Carson Taylor jumps in an attempt to catch a throw to first as Springboro’s Mark Schaaf approaches at Centerville on Tuesday.Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Gavin Roberts pitches against Springboro at Centerville on Tuesdasy.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9771-3.jpgSidney’s Gavin Roberts pitches against Springboro at Centerville on Tuesdasy.Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Jack Davidson scoops up a bunt as Springboro’s Mark Schaaf runs towards home at Centerville on Tuesday.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9826-3.jpgSidney’s Jack Davidson scoops up a bunt as Springboro’s Mark Schaaf runs towards home at Centerville on Tuesday. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Mitchell Davis attempts a tag as Springboro’s Zack Gardner slides into home at Centerville on Tuesday.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9859-3.jpgSidney’s Mitchell Davis attempts a tag as Springboro’s Zack Gardner slides into home at Centerville on Tuesday.Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Mitchell Davis waits for the throw as Springboro’s Ethan O’Bryan runs towards first during a Division I district semifinal on Tuesday in Centerville.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9952-3.jpgSidney’s Mitchell Davis waits for the throw as Springboro’s Ethan O’Bryan runs towards first during a Division I district semifinal on Tuesday in Centerville. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Aiden Booth is tagged out by Springboro’s Zack Gardner at third base in Centerville on Tuesday.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9981-3.jpgSidney’s Aiden Booth is tagged out by Springboro’s Zack Gardner at third base in Centerville on Tuesday.Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney’s Aiden Ike chases a ground ball as Springboro’s AJ Ewing runs towards second base during a Division I district semifinal on Tuesday in Centerville. The Yellow Jackets, which won the Miami Valley League Valley Division for the second consecutive season, finish 17-9 overall.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/05/web1_DSC_9922-3.jpgSidney’s Aiden Ike chases a ground ball as Springboro’s AJ Ewing runs towards second base during a Division I district semifinal on Tuesday in Centerville. The Yellow Jackets, which won the Miami Valley League Valley Division for the second consecutive season, finish 17-9 overall. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Yellow Jackets finish 17-9, are set to return much of roster

By Casey Matteson

For the Sidney Daily News

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Bryant Billing has worked as the sports editor of the Sidney Daily News since 2017. He worked as a reporter and later as an editor for a weekly newspaper in Springfield from 2007 to 2012, managed a Springfield-based website called TopBillingSports.com from 2012 to 2016 and then worked as a freelancer for Cox Media Group Ohio newspapers (including the Dayton Daily News) from 2016 to 2017 before joining the SDN.

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