Aquinas blanks Cumberland in Division 3 semifinals
Aquinas shortstop Sean Dee and second baseman Ryan Ellingson celebrate after the final out of the game on Wednesday afternoon (Wisconsin Baseball Central).
GRAND CHUTE – Aquinas advanced to its second Division 3 state championship game in three years with a 7-0 win over Cumberland in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.
John Savoldelli turned in a strong outing on the mound and a powerful day at the plate for the Blugolds’ offense in the victory.
Savoldelli pitched a complete game shutout and struck out five while allowing six hits for Aquinas. He only walked one batter.
An all-around effort at the dish put the Blugolds ahead early, and they never looked back. They scored four runs in the second inning, highlighted by RBI singles by junior Nick Schlicht and freshman Jess Ondell.
The Blugolds added another run in the third on a solo home run by Schlicht that sailed over the left field fence.
Two more runs in the fourth completed the scoring for Aquinas. Ondell hit an RBI single and Jacob Savoldelli hit an RBI double to put the Blugolds up 7-0, which was far more of a cushion than John Savoldelli needed on the mound.
Schlicht finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and Ondell had three hits as well.
Kobe Berghammer led Cumberland with a 2-for-2 day at the plate.
Aquinas (20-10) will face the winner of the semifinal between Iola-Scandinavia and Laconia in the state championship game around noon on Thursday.
Cumberland ended the year with an 18-7 record.
