Katy ISD JV Tournament: March 8-10

The Stratford JV Spartans headed to Katy this past weekend to compete against several strong teams in the Katy ISD JV Tournament.

Stratford JV Spartans vs. George Ranch JV Longhorns

On Thursday, the JV team traveled to Seven Lakes HS to compete against the George Ranch Longhorns in their first game of the tournament. The Spartans started off the tournament strong with a comeback win over the Longhorns, 6-5. The Longhorns had the lead at 5-0 until the Spartans flipped the game in the top of the fifth inning, scoring six runs on two hits to take a 6-5 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Brandon Phillips that drove in two runs. Will Tacker, Luke Tamez, and Sammy Salas each collected one hit during the game, with Salas driving in 2 runs. Levi Lease started on the mound for the Spartans, and Zach Christie earned the win for Stratford, surrendering 3 hits, no runs, and striking out 3 in 2 ½ innings pitched.

Stratford JV Spartans vs. Needville JV Bluejays

Friday evening’s doubleheader started off with a battle against the Needville Bluejays at Paetow High School. Unfortunately, despite outhitting them, the Spartans fell 7-5 to the Bluejays in only their second loss of the season. Ranes Denman started the Spartans off strong with no hits, no runs, and a strikeout in the first inning, and the Spartans went on to take a 1-0 lead in the first after 2 walks and a wild pitch by the other team. It was back and forth with the Bluejays up 2-1 in top of the second, and then the Spartans recaptured the lead 4-2 in the bottom half of the inning when the team drew a few walks and errors by the other team and Ryan Lamon singled on a line drive that brought in 2 runs. The Bluejays went on to score 4 runs in the third, shifting the lead back to their side 6-4 and then increasing their lead 7-4 in the top of the 5th. But the Spartans weren’t out of this game yet, and they attempted a big rally in the bottom of the 5th with a line-drive triple from Zach Christie followed by a line-drive double from Chris Johnson, driving in Christie for a run. William Coates also singled to try to keep the rally alive, but the Spartans ended up falling 7-5.

Stratford JV Spartans vs. Paetow JV Panthers

In the second game Friday night, the Spartans came out swinging! Brandon Phillips started the game as pitcher and earned the win, giving up only one hit and zero runs over 3 innings and striking out three. Then Carsten Vasut pitched 2 ½ innings of shutout ball for the Spartans in relief, allowing zero hits and striking out five Panthers. The Spartans' hitting and scoring spree started in the top of the 3rd when Jack McAfee singled on a line drive, Zach Christie brought in a run with a sacrifice fly, and then Brandon Phillips later doubled, driving in a run and bringing the Spartans to a 2-0 lead. The Spartans then went on to build their lead with hot bats and 5 more runs in the 5th inning. In the 5th, Jack McAfee doubled, then Brandon Phillips singled to bring him in. Cody Hanlen singled, scoring 2 more runs for the Spartans. Jackson Fulweber doubled, scoring another run, and Ranes Denman doubled, scoring yet another to make it 7-0 Spartans. In the final inning of the game, Cole Youngblood doubled and went on to score the Spartans' final run, making it 8-0. In addition to outstanding pitching and defense, the JV Spartans amassed 11 hits this game with Phillips, Hanlen, McAfee, and Denman each collecting 2 in this victory.

Stratford JV Spartans vs. Seven Lakes JV Spartans

It was a cold last game of the Katy tournament against the Seven Lakes JV Spartans, with a blustering wind and freezing parents. Stratford fell to a solid Seven Lakes team, 9-1. Luke Tamez had a massive hit to the fence to drive in the only run for Stratford. Ryan Lamon also collected a hit, but it was not enough to come back against a strong Seven Lakes team.

The JV Spartans will take the field again on Monday, March 11 for the start of District play in a doubleheader versus Cy Fair at CFHS. Games are at noon and 2:00 pm. Come cheer on your Spartans if you are in town!