Tigers post shutouts

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s varsity baseball team had made quick work against its first two regional playoff opponents. Stratford downed Colfax, 8-0, in Thursday’s home WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal before beating Stanley-Boyd, 10-0 in five innings, during Monday’s regional semifinal.

The bottom of the lineup helped Stratford beat Colfax. Senior first baseman Vance Kielman, freshman centerfielder Matthew Schoenfuss and freshman designated hitter Christian Rehm combined for six of the team’s 11 hits in the victory. They scored five runs and drove in two.

Junior starting pitcher Drew Gage earned the win for the Tigers by giving up two hits and no runs over four innings, striking out nine batters and walking none. Rehm relieved Gage on the mound for the final three innings and he didn’t give up any hits while striking out six batters and walking one.

Stratford piled up 10 hits in its 10-0 win in five innings against Stanley-Boyd. Senior second baseman Jack Tubbs, junior catcher Jaegar Ormond and Spindler each collected two hits. Spindler batted two for three with three runs batted in and he stole two of the Tigers’ six bases.

Junior Brady Berg and Rehm combined to not allow any hits to Orioles batters. Berg started the game on the mound and earned the win after striking out six Orioles while not giving up any hits or walks in four innings. Rehm tossed one inning of relief and he struck out two batters while not giving up any hits and walking one.

Third seed Stratford has a 15-4 record going into the WIAA Division 3 regional championship at 5 p.m. this Thursday, June 5. Second seed Marathon’s home regional semifinal against seventh seed Cadott was postponed on Tuesday due to stormy weather to Wednesday night. Stratford will play against the winner on Thursday.

Athens’ season ends

The four seed Athens varsity baseball team lost Monday’s home WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal to fifth seed Chippewa Falls McDonell, 13-2 in six innings. Game statistics were not provided. Athens concludes this season with a 14-8 record. McDonell has a 14-7 record going into the regional championship at 5 p.m. this Thursday, June 5. First seed Edgar’s home regional semifinal against eighth seed Clear Lake was postponed on Tuesday due to stormy weather to Wednesday night. McDonell will play against the winner, which will most likely be Edgar, on Thursday in Edgar.

SPINDLER KEEPS THE RUNNER HONEST AT SECOND BASE- Stratford junior shortstop Riley Spindler keeps a close eye on the Colfax runner in case junior starting pitcher Drew Gage attempts to catch him leading off the base too far during the Tigers’ 8-0 home WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal win on Thursday against the Vikings. Stratford freshman centerfielder Matthew Schoenfuss is pictured in the background.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER