Stratford Spartans vs. Northbrook Raiders, March 26th

The Varsity Spartans traveled to Northbrook Tuesday to face off against the Raiders. It would prove to be a pitchers' duel the entire game. Carson Craft started the game for Stratford and was later relieved by Caden Cooper in the bottom of the 3rd. Northbrook would push a run across early in the third to make the game 1-0. Cooper would come on in relief and throw 4 2/3 of scoreless relief, while striking out 8. The Spartans would break through and tie it at 1 in the 6th. After a Braxton Wakefield single (2-3, 2RBI), Ethan Gentil would ground out to bring him home, tying the game at 1. In the top of the 7th, Luke Zilafro would lead off the inning with a double to the LCF gap. A Ford Givens sacrifice and three free passes to Adam Gilbert, Caden Baker, and Rian Healy would set the stage for Wakefield once again. He would single home Gilbert and Baker to break the game wide open and put the Spartans up 4-1. Stratford would add another on a wild pitch to score Healy to make it 5-1. Cooper would hold the Raiders at bay in the 7th and secure his 3rd win of the season, taking the Spartans' District record to 3-2.

Stratford Spartans vs. Northbrook Raiders, March 28th

Game 2 would be a quick turnaround on a short week for both teams. Stratford would strike quickly in the bottom of the 1st for a quick 3-0 lead. After a Rian Healy double, Braxton Wakefield would single to bring home Healy. Before a Blake Barry walk, Wakefield would make it 2-0 by scoring on a wild pitch. Henry Braniff would conclude the scoring in the first with a hard-hit single, bringing home Barry. Northbrook would tie the score at 3 in the top half of the second inning. The Spartans again jumped out in front in the 3rd when Barry singled and came around to score on a Raider error, making it 4-3 Spartans. Thomas Cloud would give way to the bullpen in the 4th and hand the ball to Walker Sage. The Raiders would add single runs in the 4th and 5th inning to take the lead 5-4. Stratford would answer in the home half of the 6th inning. Caden Baker started a big 2-out rally with a single. A Healy walk would bring Wakefield to the plate. A line-drive double would score Baker and Healy to give the Spartans a 6-5 lead they would never relinquish. Barry would double home Wakefield, followed by a Braniff single to score Barry. This would increase the lead to 8-5 and prove to be the winning margin. Drew Emery would come on in the 7th to retire the Raiders, giving the Spartans the series sweep to improve their 17-6A record to 4-2.

This week’s Varsity Baseball Schedule

Stratford Spartans vs. Spring Woods Tigers @ The Backyard, Tuesday April 2nd, 7:00 pm

Stratford Spartans vs Spring Woods Tigers @ Spring Woods HS, Friday April 5th, 7:00PM