Hiler’s One-Hitter Secures 11-2 Victory

Emerson Hiler made the most of her first start in the circle, allowing the visiting Cy Creek Cougars two runs on a solitary hit. The first run was scored by the game’s leadoff batter, who reached first on a walk. After a ground out to Anna Burgman at shortstop, Wookie Grunenberg took down back-to-back batters from her position at third base, one of whom sacrificed herself to bring in the run, briefly giving the Cougars their only lead.

The Spartans went to work, with Kenna Wong and Grunenberg quickly occupying first and third. When Grunenberg stole second, the Cy Creek catcher made a show of throwing down to second to induce Wong to break for home, yet she fired it to the pitcher instead. We’ll never know if Wong would have survived the tricky play because the pitcher was caught off guard as well and the ball streamed out to second base, allowing Wong to ease across the plate. Allie Richardson then hit a bullet to right center field, scoring Grunenberg and manufacturing a 2-1 lead.

The Cougars’ second inning started with a ground ball to third, upon which hilarity ensued as the infield committed three errors and the batter came all the way around to score and tie the game. Hiler then took matters into her own hands by striking out the side.

Stratford broke it open in the second inning, as Isla Hildebrand took a pitch off the hip with all of the evasive intent of a granite block and Mackenzie York ran out a bunt single. Sophia Lozada singled sharply to right to score Hildebrand, and Burgman wore a pitch to load the bases for Wong, who drove in a run by walking. After Grunenberg’s Texas-leaguer found grass to score Burgman, Richardson walked and Bella Sulma produced a two-RBI hit for the second game in a row.

The top of Cy Creek’s order came up and hit three balls hard, but outstanding defensive plays were made by Cacey Valencia, Hildebrand, and Hiler, all of whom converted outs to Richardson at first.

The Spartans piled on as Hildebrand walked and scored off the bat of Leila Vazquez, followed by walks to Dulce Soto and Shelby Thibodeaux and a final RBI produced by Wong on a laser to right center. Finally, Laura de la Rosa legged out a grounder to third and Riley Naman was hit by a pitch as time expired.

The JV Lady Spartans next travel to Northbrook on Tuesday, March 5th.