STRATFORD DEFEATS MEMORIAL

Spartans Take Round 1 of Rivalry 3-2

Stratford took the home leg of its rivalry against Memorial by completing a thrilling comeback in its final at-bat. Keely Meeks gave up two early runs and then locked it down, throwing 77 pitches in 4 innings, striking out 8 and walking 1.

The Spartans probed the base paths in the early innings, with hits by Leila Vasquez and Bella Sulma and a walk by Mac York, but generated no runs. Stratford finally struck in the 3rd inning. Kellyn Schuchardt walked and made her way to third, tagged up, and scored on Vazquez’s fly ball to left. After Azalea Moreno was hit by a pitch, Meeks dumped a soft looper in front of the second baseman. By the time she corralled the ball, she had no play on Meeks at first, and attempted to cut down Moreno steaming for third. The throw was errant, and Moreno came all the way around to tie the game.

After Meeks held firm in the 4th, the Spartans came to the plate. Sulma reached base again on a throwing error that advanced her to second base. Olivia Hatler laid down a perfect bunt, and the third baseman’s desperate throw to first was wild, bringing Sulma in for the game-winning run!

STRATFORD TIES CY CREEK

Saturday Makeup Resolves Nothing

When Friday’s game against the Cy Creek Cougars was cancelled due to a scheduling imbroglio, the parties reassembled to play on a steamy Saturday afternoon. The Spartans emerged for the first time in the regular season without a win, as Cy Creek fought them to a 3-3 tie.

Brynn Teixeira pitched two solid innings, striking out 4 and exiting the game down 3-2. Emerson Hiler relieved her for the final two innings and denied the Cougars anything further.

The Spartans had 5 hits, by Anna Burgman, Leila Vazquez, Teixeira, Bella Sulma, and Nikki Hodge. Sulma’s was the key hit – a triple which she blasted over the center fielder’s head to drive in Hiler for the game-tying run.

STRATFORD ROLLS OVER NORTHBROOK

Visiting Spartans Cruise to 15-1 Victory

The Stratford – Northbrook game was never in doubt, with Jackie Gronauer providing a quality start, pitching 2 innings and allowing a single run, striking out 5. Keely Meeks pitched a final scoreless inning and struck out the side.

The Spartans needed only 5 hits to produce 15 runs; those hits were provided by Azalea Moreno, Olivia Hatler, Laura De La Rosa, Isla Hildebrand, and Nikki Hodge.

STRATFORD STOMPS JERSEY VILLAGE

Spartans Secure 14-1 Win

Stratford completed a week in which they outscored their opponents 29-2 with a 14-1 win against Jersey Village.

Brynn Teixeira started the game and pitched 2 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Keely Meeks pitched a scoreless 3rd, striking out the side and allowing the Falcons’ solitary run.

The Spartans had 8 hits, by Laura De La Rosa (2), Mac York, Leila Vazquez, Allie Richardson, Kenna Wong, Jackie Gronauer, and Olivia Hatler.