Staff photo / Brian Yauger. Springfield pitcher Haleigh McCalla throws a pitch toward home plate. McCalla struck out 18 Newton Falls batters in their sectional bracket final Wednesday evening at Springfield High School.

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Minus a handful of stumbles to really tough teams, Springfield’s senior class has run rampant through the team’s schedule.

That continued on Wednesday, as the Tigers picked up their first tournament victory, dispatching Newton Falls 9-1 in a sectional bracket final matchup.

“We’re senior-laden,” Springfield coach Mike Rubovsky said. “Haleigh (McCalla) out there throwing 18 strikeouts, Madi Lesnak at first base, she had two big hits, Sami McKim at third base, she’s got two big hits, Emily Gerthung, she’s hitting like .458 right now, just really on a tear, Gianna Piccuta has like seven (hits in) her last 10 (at-bats). Those six girls on top are just, it’s just a real pleasure to see them coming together as a team.”

McCalla has turned stellar performances into a routine this season. Wednesday she had another, sitting down 18 Newton Falls batters.

“We really trust her when she’s out there,” Rubovsky said. “Today we didn’t let off the gas pedal. Sometimes when she’s out there, not saying that we sit back and watch, but (for us) to score nine runs against a girl that was pitching really well – she didn’t really walk anyone, she was throwing some good stuff — so with Haleigh on the mound and we’re scoring 9 or 10 runs, it’s a really good feeling.”

Springfield racked up the runs early in the contest, most notably a Jacey Mullen inside-the-park home run. Matching her jersey number, Mullen rounded the bases three times in the win.

The lone run surrendered by Springfield came in the top of the seventh.

It’s been a season of growth for Newton Falls. They entered the season with very little varsity experience.

“In the beginning of the season we were young, but we had to chunk through and we were just looking at every game one at a time and what we can do to get better,” Newton Falls coach Kristina Baker said. “We wanted to play better together and find that little combination. We never quit fighting this season, and that’s all I wanted them to do. We did what we needed to do to get better.”

No. 24 Newton Falls picked up a tournament win earlier this week, topping No. 14 East Palestine 4-2 to advance to the sectional bracket final. For a team only losing three seniors, that experience is invaluable.

“It’s huge,” Baker said. “You want them to get a taste of that tournament time. We have quite a few girls that don’t play other sports, so for them to come in here and get that first tournament win — we told them it’s a brand new season, you have a chance every night to go out (and win). It could make them a little more hungry for it next time when you get (a chance in the tournament.)”

Up next, Springfield takes on Mathews in a Division IV District semifinal matchup after the Mustangs took down Lordstown 10-5.

“We’re excited, we like to play good competition,” Rubovsky said.

Springfield also has a make-up game with Western Reserve on Friday.

First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on Monday at Jackson-Milton.

byauger@tribtoday.com