18U Nationals showing progress in weekend split
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
By: Michael Willoughby
The Stratford 18U Nationals continued to show promise following a split in the doubleheader against the Hamilton Jr. Cardinals at Stratford National Stadium on June 27.
In the early afternoon game, the Nationals rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to win the game 4-2.
Hamilton got on the board on the wild pitch off Stratford starting pitcher Nolan Miller in the second inning, but the Nationals tied the game in the bottom half of the inning after a one-out wild pitch allowed Dawson Davidson to score from third base.
The score remained one apiece until the Cardinals broke the deadlock on a one-out double in the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth inning, a two-run RBI double from Cooper Yantzi put the Nationals ahead.
Miller pitched five and a third innings, allowed five hits and one earned run while walking out four and recorded six strikeouts. Alex Everett got the final five outs to secure the win for Stratford.
In the latter half of the doubleheader, Hamilton capitalized on Stratford's defensive miscues with a three-run third inning en route to the Nationals’ 9-4 loss.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead through the first two innings of play, but Stratford responded in the third inning with three unanswered runs to take the lead courtesy of Yantzi’s RBI single, Logan MacMillan scored on a passed ball, and Yantzi stole home from third base.
Hamilton scored four in the third, one in the fourth, to take a 7-3 lead. In the sixth, Everett’s RBI single put the Nationals within three. During the same inning, the Nationals had the opportunity to close the deficit with Owen Brooks at second and Everett in third, but Finley Newton lined out to a double play, ending the comeback effort.
With time permitting, the Cardinals scored two more in their half of the sixth, and the game was called after six innings.
In the last four games since the seven-game losing streak, the Nationals have a 2-2 record, outscoring their opposition 11-4 in the two wins.
After the game, Nationals head coach Mud Grasby discussed the turnaround but pointed out defensive errors in the second game of the doubleheader and expressed concerns about the shortage of players due to injury, which has been impacting the team's performance recently.
“Yeah, they're playing well. We seemed first game today we played flawless defence, and it showed with our win. We had clutch hitting at the right time. In the second game, we had one bad inning, where we made three errors, and it just festered from there, like we were in that ball game,” Grasby said.
“I know the score says we lost by five, but it wasn't a five-run ball game. We got four in one inning. We're coming around; we just have to get guys to come to the ballpark. When they come to the park, they're playing well, but the matter is getting everybody here. Having only 10 ball players today in this heat makes a big difference. It would’ve been nice if we got 13 or 14, but I got three guys hurt, so it is what it is.”
The Nationals will play against the Cambridge Cubs on June 30 at National Stadium (after press time), followed by hosting the 18U SMBA 2026 Tournament from July 3 to 5. Stratford is assigned to Group A with the Barrie Baycats, Kingston Thunder and Mitchell Astros. The four highest-ranked teams in the preliminary round will progress to the semifinals on the morning of July 5, with the championship game scheduled at the same venue later that morning.
Stratford Nationals Round Robin Group A Schedule
July 3 - Kingston (National Stadium, 6 p.m.)
July 4 - Barrie (National Stadium, 1:30 p.m.)
July 4 - Mitchell (National Stadium, 6:30 p.m.)
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