Delmar Stadium hosted the Stratford Spartans and the Lamar Redskins in the first of three playoff games on Wednesday. The Redskins came into this game after defeating the undefeated Bellaire Cardinals and Stratford is coming off a 7-0 win against Nimitz. Both teams needed to secure this first win to gain the advantage going into game two. Stratford was able to play solid baseball and get the win, now going into game two having home field advantage.

Both teams were left stranded on the bases in the first two innings but in the third inning Stratford found their rhythm and was able to cross the plate. Stratford’s John Sorsby started the scoring by hitting a double to the fence and getting the first runner in. With a Spartan on second and third base A.J. Daggett connected with the ball to get the runners on base in and close the inning with Stratford leading 3-0.

In the fourth inning Lamar’s fielding stopped anymore Stratford runs. The bottom of the fourth saw a controversial call that stopped Lamar from getting two runners on base after a double play. This allowed Stratford to hold the lead going into the fifth inning.

The Spartans again made contact with the ball in the fifth inning as Sorsby hit a hard grounder to third base to get a double followed by a walk to get two runners on base. Then Jake Miller stepped up to the plate and aimed for the 340 marker on the fence. Miller blasted the ball over the left center fence and got a three-run homerun. Lamar switched pitchers and was able to hold them to only three more runs in the top of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth Stratford did not allow a Redskin to get on base and finished the inning with a score of 6-0.

In the sixth inning the Spartans’ Travis Smith worked his way around the bases and was hit in by Miller. Once again in the bottom of the sixth Stratford fielding in the infield and outfield would not allow a Redskin to score. The seventh inning was a quick three up and three down by both teams to seal the Spartan win with a final score of 7-0.

Lamar’s Daniel Gonzales had two singles. Stratford’s Jake Miller had 2 singles, 4 RBI’s, a run scored and a homerun. Sorsby had a double, 1 RBI, and two runs scored. Smith had 2 singles and two runs scored. Daggett had a single, 2 RBI’s and a run scored and Stratford’s pitcher, Barrett Loux finished the game with 8 strikeouts.

The Remaining games are:
Fri 5/4   7 pm @ Stratford
Sat. 5/5  1:00 @ Jersey Village (if necessary)

**Pictures by Hassan Abushaaban

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