STRATFORD MEMORIALIZED 3-0

Spartans Hang Tough but Fall to Rivals for Second Time

For the second time this season, Stratford used a solid defensive effort to keep the Mustangs close, but they could not break through offensively. The Spartans allowed one run in each of the first three innings, which was enough for Memorial to secure a 3-0 victory.

The Mustangs put the ball in play all afternoon, but were denied a crooked number by terrific fielding by the Spartans. In the first inning, after a lead-off double, Mia Hutchison - starting at second base with Caroline Chamberlain making her debut at catcher - got early action with a grounder that she tossed to Allie Richardson. Keely Meeks and Sophie Donnel each made a defensive out, allowing only the lead-off batter to score.

In the second inning, Meeks and Darcy Broaddus (twice) converted grounders to Richardson. In the third, Donnel, Hutchison (snuffing out a line drive), and Chamberlain (emerging from her unfamiliar position behind the plate to run down a pop-up) limited the Mustangs again.

In the fourth inning, Hutchison did more impressive infield work, getting the final two outs for the Spartans.

Offensively, the only Stratford base runners were Donnel and Mariah Estrada, each of whom managed a walk.

STRATFORD JV TAKES DOWN JV

Batting, Defense Form JV to Go For JV

The Spartan batters and fielders joint-ventured to go for the jugular vein against Jersey Village in the season’s final JV game.

Stratford started slowly, as good defense by the home Falcons set down the Spartans in order. After Jersey Village’s lead-off batter walked, the Spartans got two outs on a tricky line drive handled by Caroline Chamberlain and a sky-high pop-up tracked down by Darcy Broaddus. Jersey Village then drew first blood on a run scored via passed ball before Sophie Donnel caught a fly ball to end the inning.

Keely Meeks led off the second inning with her first of two hits and eventually scored on a passed ball, tying the game 1-1. In the bottom of the second, the Falcons threatened by putting the lead-off batter on first again. A pick-off attempt by Shayleigh Thomas scooted through into right field and the runner broke for second; however, Dulce Soto was charging hard in right field and came up with a laser to Broaddus, who tagged the runner sliding into second. With that threat abated, Allie Richardson ended the inning herself by gloving a wicked spinner up the line and tagging first base.

In the third inning, the Spartans broke the game open, with Soto, Broaddus, Donnel, Chamberlain, and Meeks scoring runs. The Spartan outburst was fueled by an effective slap-liner by Soto, a double in the gap mashed by Donnel, a grounder legged out by Chamberlain, a liner to the left by Meeks, and a clutch double by Laura de la Rosa.

Jersey Village did not give up, answering with three runs of their own to make the score 6-4. After Stratford failed to plate any runs in the fourth, they faced a scenario rarely encountered this season: the opposing team with the clock running down and a chance to win. Meeks induced a ground ball back to her own number and struck out the last two batters to secure the win and end the season.

Stratford JV completed their season with a 9-5 record, going 5-2 down the stretch. Congratulations to the players and Coach Salinas,  and thanks to all the fans. We look forward to seeing everyone next season, at which time…

We shall report.