Before their first District games, on Sunday, March 9th, the Sophomore Baseball Spartans gathered to enjoy a barbeque-themed team dinner at the Treadway home (co-hosted by Banks, Fletcher, Croley, and Sandidge families). This was the first of three team dinners the Sophomores plan to have before noteworthy District games. Apparently the 10 pounds of pulled pork, 5 racks of ribs, and all the fixins’ worked, because the team showed up fueled and ready to win the next day against Cypress Creek.

Sophomore Home District Games

Stratford Sophomore Spartans vs. Cypress Creek Sophomore Cougars, Monday, March 10th

Led by tremendous pitching by Westy Bennett over 5 innings of work, the Sophomore Spartans were victorious over Cypress Creek. Bennett only allowed 3 hits and 2 runs, striking out 9 and walking 4. While there was some action on the base paths, the defense seemed to step up when needed to prevent runs, or Bennett came up with timely strike outs. Hudson Good closed the game in relief for one inning allowing no hits, just one walk and 2 strike outs. Two of Bennett’s 3 total hits occurred in the first inning, letting the Cougars get on the board first with a score of 1-0. The Spartans quickly answered in the bottom of the first after capitalizing on errors and scoring 2 runs. The Spartans tacked on another run in the 3rd when a single by Andrew Williams and reaching on error on a ground ball by George Fletcher drove in Williams. The back-and-forth battle continued when Cy Creek singled, scoring one run in the top of the 3rd. But yet again, the Spartans answered the call when a single to left field by Nate Sandidge scored in courtesy runner Hudson Good.

The bottom of the 4th inning showed promise as George Fletcher led off the inning with a single to centerfield, and then both Luke Carl and Jackson Seel walked, loading up the bases. Unfortunately however, tremendous defense by the Cypress Creek centerfielder catching a pop fly by Joel Torres and then throwing out George Fletcher as he was racing to home, led to disappointing double-play outs. The score remained Cypress 2, Stratford 4 until the top of the 6th when a wild pitch by Good scored in one run for the Cougars,  making it 3-4. Hoping to run out the clock and stay on top, the Sophomore Spartans capitalized on a hit-by-pitch on George Fletcher and a walk by Luke Carl, as both of them ended up scoring on wild pitches. Time expired with a final score of Stratford Sophomores 6, Cypress Creek Cougars 3.

Stratford Sophomore Spartans vs. Cypress Creek Sophomore Cougars, Monday, March 10th

A gigantic 9-run first inning set the tone for a dominant performance by the Stratford Sophomore Spartans against the Cypress Creek Cougars. They say hitting is contagious, and boy was it for the Sophomores who enjoyed hitting through the entire lineup nearly twice in the first inning alone. Clayton Croley, Hudson Good (x2), Clay Emery, Gus Green, and Peter Banks all recorded hits in the first inning, and many others reached on error or were walked on base. The 9-run cushion allowed starting pitcher Noah Kerr to remain relaxed and pitch 3, no-run innings, allowing just one hit, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Peter Banks came on in relief, allowing just 2 hits, 1 run, and 1 strikeout in 2 innings of work.

After the big 1st inning, the runs did not come in quite as vociferously, but the Spartans were able to tack on 6 additional runs over the course of the 5-inning game (ended by run rule). Additional hits were recorded by Connor Roe (x2), Noah Kerr (double), and Clayton Croley (his second of the day). Between the hot bats of the Spartans and the abundant errors committed by the Cougars, the Stratford Sophomores walked away with a resounding victory of Stratford 15, Cypress Creek 1.

The Stratford Sophomore Spartans continue District play on the road at Northbrook on Wednesday, March 19th.