Late rally ruins Springfield’s upset bid

For five innings Wednesday, No. 22 Springfield gave No. 6 Council Rock North all it could handle.
Then the middle of the Indians’ order had its say.

CR North posted three runs in the bottom of the sixth, spoiling the Cougars’ upset bid with a 4-3 win in the second round of the District One Class AAAA tournament.

Springfield had led 3-1, thanks to two hits and two RBIs from shortstop Brandon DiChicacchio and five strong innings by starter Mike Smith. The lefty got the better of Lehigh-bound Matt Hand, who also departed after five innings on the hook for the loss, while Springfield was looking at its second straight playoff win after going without one since 2005 before Monday’s win over Conestoga.

But the Indians rallied, chasing Smith and pushing across the game-winning run against reliever Dave Strawley.

Nick Gorman singled for Springfield (14-7) in the top of the seventh, but he was stranded on base, one of five Cougars left hanging in scoring position.