Stratford Nationals Weekly Recap: Both teams head for final stretch of regular season
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Michael Willoughby
On July 23, the Stratford 15U Nationals started their final road trip of the Intercounty Baseball Association (ICBA) regular season with a single-day doubleheader in Guelph against the Plawiuk Royals.
In the first game, Stratford got into an early 4-0 lead through an inning and a half with RBI singles from Landen McCann and Dexter Powell in the first, Jackson Goebel in the second and a Guelph defensive error that allowed Goebel to score from first base for the fourth run.
But the Royals responded with ten unanswered runs off the Nationals starter, Goebel, and three off reliever Reid Musselman as the Nationals lost 13-5 through six innings. Powell led the Nationals with a pair of hits and two RBIs.
In the late evening game, Will Molenhuis drove in four RBIs along with four hits as the Nationals overcame an early deficit to outrun the home side 17-6. Powell, Cole Morris and Blake Mogk had the other RBIs for Stratford.
Powell got the start on the mound and struck out four while allowing four earned runs on three hits and five walks through three innings. Max Barter came on in relief and held Guelph scoreless in the remaining three innings before the league-mandated mercy rule came into effect.
The Nationals were back in Guelph to face the Royals Team 1 on July 24. Stratford’s pitching staff and defence were humbled by the Royals' offence with a ten-run third inning and only managed to produce two hits offensively en route to a 14-0 loss in five innings. Molenhuis and McCann provided the only hits for the visitors.
In the final road game of the regular season, the Nationals travelled to Cambridge to face the Cubs. Stratford got to an early 3-0 lead through the first three innings before putting the close game away with five unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh as they defeated Cambridge 10-3.
James Antonio went 3-for-3 with four RBIs to lead the Nationals, while Morris had two RBIs and McCann led the Nationals with three runs scored. Stratford starting pitcher Jake Price went four innings with four strikeouts, allowing an earned run on five hits and three walks. Musselman preserved the victory with three innings of unearned ball.
The Nationals conclude their ICBA regular season with a pair of games at home against Ancaster on July 28 and Waterloo Tigers on July 29 at Stratford National Stadium (after press time).
Following the end of the bad weather that cancelled the London tournament last week, the Stratford 18U Nationals, who had won three of their last four regular-season games, played their final home game of the season against the Kitchener Diemert Panthers at Stratford National Stadium on July 24.
Stratford overcame two four-run deficits to walk off the Panthers 8-7. The late rally started with one out when Reed Bowles walked, Cooper Yantzi singled and James Robinson walked to put the Nationals in a bases-loaded situation. Dawson Davidson issued a walk for Bowles to score to make it 7-4, and Everett’s two-run RBI single cut the Kitchener lead to 7-6.
Caden Diehl’s RBI single allowed Davidson to score to tie the game, and Colin Priestap’s sacrifice fly turned out to be a Kitchener outfield defensive error, allowing Alex Everett to score from third base for the game-winning run.
Stratford head coach Mud Grasby was pleased with the team battling back from a tough start to win the final home game of the season.
“It was a great comeback. We had chances early in the game that were bases loaded, nobody out and we didn't score. Bases loaded, one out and don't score. Just the last inning, they weren't trying to hit the ball 400 feet. They were just making contact and finding holes, and that's what you've got to do. And it worked out,” Grasby said.
“We made them try to make some plays. Their pitcher walked a few batters, which goes in your favour. But that's two games in a row now that we battled back in the last inning to win. So things are looking positive, hopefully.”
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