'Soaking it up': New Albany 12U baseball relishes run to Little League World Series
Editor's note: Updates with Thursday's game being shown on ESPN rather than ESPN2.
New Albany manager Tim Bush knew his 12U baseball team had potential because he had won back-to-back state titles with the majority of the players on the roster.
But even Bush didn't expect the level of success New Albany has enjoyed since opening play July 1.
The Eagles have advanced further than any previous New Albany team, qualifying for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The squad is comprised of all-stars from throughout New Albany.
“We knew we were good,” Bush said. “We were back-to-back state champs. We knew that we had a really good foundation. ... To even have success at regional for us was crazy — it was just amazing. We’re just soaking it up and doing anything we can to try to scrape out some wins for New Albany and for central Ohio.
“Our goal is try to get a couple of wins (at the World Series) and do the best we can for our community and our state.”
Champions of the Great Lakes region, New Albany opens play in the 20-team double-elimination tournament at 7 p.m. Thursday against El Segundo (California), the West regional champion. The game will be televised on ESPN.
“The team from Southern California is really good,” Bush said. “We’ve been scouting them. We’ve watched their games and we have our work cut out for us.”
The winner plays again Monday. The loser returns to action Saturday.
The tournament, which concludes Aug. 27, features 10 teams from the United States and 10 international teams.
New Albany is the first Ohio team to qualify since 2010, when Hamilton West Side competed. Hamilton also represented the Great Lakes region in 2007.
New Albany previously advanced to the regional tournament in 2018, losing in a semifinal. A team from Mount Vernon lost in a regional final in 2008.
Ben Clark, a 2023 graduate of New Albany High School, was a catcher and pitcher on the 2018 team and a key contributor during the high school team’s Division I state title run in 2021. He visited practices this summer to meet with the players.
“This is a talented group,” said Clark, who will play at Oakland University. “They’ve put a lot effort and hard work in, so it’s pretty easy to see that when you go to practices. They seem very respectful and they know what they’re doing.”
Bush guided the 10U and 11U teams to state titles the previous two seasons. There are no regional or World Series tournaments for the two younger age groups.
New Albany (12-1) has received solid pitching and timely hitting in its run to Williamsport.
Kevin Klingerman, a seventh grader at Columbus Academy, went 3-0 in regional play and did not allow an earned run. He gave up three hits in 11⅔ innings with 18 strikeouts and five walks.
Owen Nardell (P/SS/2B) also has provided key contributions on the mound.
“It’s been a journey, a grind,” Nardell said. “We all pull for each other. We’re all great teammates. We all contribute.”
Leadoff batter Henry Bush (SS/2B/P), the manager’s son, batted .800 in the state tournament and .500 in regional play, while Eddie Bloch (CF/2B/P) batted .750 during the regional.
“This is such a good group of players,” Bloch said. “Our team chemistry is great. We’re all good friends. ... To get this far is crazy.”
Others on the 12-player roster are Alex Behaein (OF), Jake Gilmer (OF), Lincoln Luffler (1B), Cole Mueller (3B), Nolan Pettinger (1B), Hunter Sayre (C), Beau Spangler (OF/P) and Austin Sturmi (OF).
New Albany has played without pitcher Blake Stall, who is out with an arm injury.
The Eagles went 4-0 in the state tournament, beating Hamilton 8-6 in the final on Mueller’s walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth.
After losing to Elmhurst (Illinois) 8-4 in the five-team regional tournament Aug. 7 in Whitestown, Indiana, New Albany beat Elmhurst 4-0 in the final last Thursday as Klingerman went the distance on the mound.
“The reason New Albany has more success than these other programs around central Ohio is because we have a very good marriage between travel (ball) and Little League,” Bush said.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Little League World Series: New Albany relishes run to Williamsport
