NEW MIDDLETOWN — The Springfield softball team has been searching for some consistency this season. In their contest with Campbell on Saturday, the Tigers looked to be on the right track with a dominating 22-0 victory.

“Today was only the second time we have played in the past 12 days, so we have had some practice time and we are getting better,” Tigers coach Dan McKinstry said. “We understand things and we are making some plays, but it’s hard when you haven’t been able to play.

“I feel we have made progress even if our record doesn’t show it. Except for one game, we have been in every game. We could easily have four or five more wins, but some of it was just inexperience. We’re getting better at-bats, and understanding that you don’t have to swing at the first available pitch.”

The Tigers (7-9-1) pounded out 17 hits in the contest while also working 12 walks and having a couple of batters hit by a pitch to score all 22 runs in the first two innings of the game. While defensively, the combination of three Tiger pitchers limited the Devils to just one hit and fanned 11 Devil batters.

“I wanted Abby (Joseph) to pitch because she is going to pitch Tuesday in the tournament,” McKinstry said. “Our second pitcher Haleigh (McCalla) hadn’t pitched in about a week and then (Madi) Lesnak hadn’t pitched for almost two and half weeks because we had two catchers down and she had to catch. So that was the goal today, to get everybody to pitch and get everybody to play. You just never know when you may need people.”

Joseph, a senior, is taking every opportunity to prepare for the tournament.

“I was just making sure I had the right pitches and getting them where I needed them to go,” Joseph said. “Trying to get ready for the tournament coming up and practicing what I need to do.”

The Red Devils’ first-year head coach Paul Kish admitted that they lack any seasoned pitchers, so he is throwing out inexperienced players to attempt to do their best in a tough situation. So far the record, 2-14, hasn’t been what they want, but the team continues to show great spirit.

“I found out in November that we didn’t have any pitching. So we have three young ladies that have been working pretty good at it. It’s tough with girls who just started a couple of months ago. We usually do a lot better than this.”

Leading the way for the Tigers was Joseph who pitched just the first two innings, getting the victory while striking out six. She added four hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Carlee Bacon added three hits, including two doubles, and four RBIs, along with Madi Lesnak’s three hits and another four RBIs.

“She’s had a really good season,” McKinstry said about Joseph. “She is a model of consistency. At the plate, I think she has only struck one or two times and she is hitting over 500. She is a good leader and she plays well at shortstop and pitcher. As a coach, you are happy to have her on the team. It’s been enjoyable to coach her.”

Kish explained that the game was not a good showing of how well his team has competed all year.

“Against Champion, we made goals and we made seven of ten goals against them, so we do something like that just to keep them in the game. Some short-term goals to stay in the game.

“It was cold and wet. It was hard to keep them up (spirit). We have been doing pretty well with defense and we’re working on the pitching for next year. It will take a few years to get everything going.”

The Red Devils will try to bounce back on Monday when they have a nonconference game with East at Pemberton Park. They will face state-ranked Ursuline on Tuesday in a sectional first-round game.

The Tigers will return to league play Monday when they host Jackson-Milton in a makeup contest. They will host Conneaut on Tuesday in the tournament.