STRATFORD SPEARS SEVEN LAKES

Spartans Prevail in Saturday Edition 14-2

After a week of spring break, two companies of Spartans took up spear and shield against each other at the Front Yard on a sunny Saturday morning. The Stratford division would draw considerably more blood and leave its enemy in ruin.

Brynn Teixeira took the ball in the circle and showed that she had kept her weapon oiled, striking out the first batter she faced and tallying three more strikeouts over two innings. Two ground balls to Keely Meeks at first were the only balls in play, and Teixeira exited the game without conceding a hit.

Meanwhile her sisters struck this way and that, with Azalea Moreno making the deepest cuts with a pair of triples. Keely Meeks, Leila Vazquez, and Isla Hildebrand added singles. Teixeira herself collected two hits, the first on a perfectly laid bunt and the second on a grounder through the hole (which unfortunately found the trailing heel of Vazquez on her way to second).

The hits produced 14 runs, of which Anna Burgman, Meeks, Moreno and Nikki Hodge scored two each. Sofia Lozada, Emerson Hiler, Vazquez, Teixeira, and Hildebrand also crossed the plate.

The fiercest blow of all may have been struck by Olivia Hatler, but it was launched right at the leftfielder for a flyout.

Emerson Hiler pitched the final two innings and sealed the victory. She was aided by good infielding plays by Moreno at third, Emily Garza at short, Hildebrand at second, and especially Allie Richardson at first, who scooped a throw out of the dirt with runners on.

OUTLESS STRATFORD DEFEATS HITLESS CY FALLS 15-0

Spartan Dominance Approaches Theoretical Maximum

It is a softball truism that if a team’s pitchers throw a no-hitter, and its batters do not make an out, that victory is all but assured. These are the conditions that presented themselves at the Front Yard on Tuesday. The result was a 15-0 Stratford win over the visiting Cy Falls Golden Eagles.

Keely Meeks and Brynn Teixeira combined for the 6-strikeout, 3-walk no-hitter. The only moment of concern came in the top of the second inning, when the first Cy Falls batter sent a popup looping over the right side of the infield. But Leila Vazquez in right field had a jump and was charging hard. She made a diving effort, and Kier guided her hand to glove the ball just before it reached the turf.

Vazquez had herself a game, with two hits to go with the sparkling defensive play. The Spartans had 6 other hits, produced by Kellyn Schuchardt, Teixeira, Anna Burgman, Isla Hildebrand, Bella Sulma, and Emily Garza.

Runs were scored by Kenna Wong (2), Schuchardt (2), Emerson Hiler, Azalea Moreno, Vazquez, Hildebrand, Jackie Gronauer, Mac York, Sofia Lozada, Nikki Hodge, and Garza.

This week the Spartans host Memorial and Cy Creek.