18U Nationals ends losing streak in a split week

The 18U Stratford Nationals finally ended their seven-game losing streak on June 17 in a 7-2 win on the road against the Ancaster Angels in Ancaster.

After a scoreless first inning, the Nationals pounced on the Angels, scoring five runs in the second. With two outs, Ethan Priestap scored on a double steal, putting the visitors up 1-0. After a walk to Finley Newton, Dawson Davidson drove home two runs with a double, allowing Logan MacMillan and James Robinson to score and give the Nationals a 3-0 lead. Alex Everett’s two-run RBI single put the Nationals up 5-0 before the end of their half of the inning.

Ancaster scored with a run in the fifth, but Cooper Yantzi’s groundout in the sixth allowed Robinson to advance from third, increasing the Nationals' lead to 6-1. Davidson then scored on MacMillan's hit by pitch with the bases loaded, making it 7-1 for Stratford. The Angels scored a run in the seventh, but Robinson and Stratford's defence held the lead, securing a 7-2 victory.

Everett pitched over four innings, striking out six while giving up one run on three walks and three hits in 108 pitches. He also led the Nationals with two RBIs and was tied for the team lead with two hits. Robinson finished the game with six strikeouts, four walks and one hit allowed, along with one run given up.

On June 19, the Nationals played against Guelph Royals Team 1 at Stratford National Stadium. They regained balance in the fourth inning thanks to Ethan Priestap's RBI single, which brought Yantzi home with two outs, and an error by Guelph's defence, enabling MacMillan to score from second base.

Guelph scored four runs in the fifth inning to establish a commanding lead, adding two more insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings to secure a 10-2 victory over Stratford.

Stratford’s Reed Bowles pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out six.

On June 27, Stratford is set to play a doubleheader at National Stadium, facing the Hamilton Cardinals in both games.