Marathon and Stratford Legion split doubleheader

By Casey Krautkramer

It’s no surprise that the Marathon and Stratford American Legion summer baseball teams split their doubleheader on July 1 in Marathon, because the spring high school teams did the same thing this year.

Stratford Legion second baseman Jack Tubbs led off the first game against Marathon Legion Post 469 with a towering solo home run to right field off starting pitcher Tyler Underwood. It was the great jump start that Stratford needed for a 5-1 victory.

Centerfielder Brady Berg of Stratford, who played catcher during the spring season, singled and stole second base. Later in the opening frame, Berg tried to score on first baseman Brady Schmidt’s single but he was tagged out at home plate by Marathon catcher Cale Quaintance. Jaeger Ormond was Stratford’s catcher against Marathon.

Drew Gage started the game and he earned the pitching win for Stratford while Tyler Underwood took the loss for Marathon. Gage surrendered six hits and one run over four and onethird innings. Henry Zaleski relieved him on the mound. Schmidt was the last pitcher that Stratford used against Marathon. Tyler Underwood’s first cousin, Blake Underwood, relieved him on the mound.

Stratford scored four insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning to seal the victory. Third baseman Vance Kielman had an RBI double in this big inning. Marathon first baseman Grant Warren batted two for three in the loss.

Marathon Post 469 rebounded to nip the Stratford Legion, 6-5, in the second game of the doubleheader. Swayne Stencil was the winning pitcher for Post 469. Owen Chrouser led Marathon at the plate by batting two for three with a pair of RBIs. Blake McCain also collected two RBIs for Marathon. Ean Shuda batted two for three for Post 469.

Stratford Legion catcher Riley Spindler, who played shortstop in the first game, led the team at the plate by batting a perfect three for three with two RBIs and two runs scored. Left fielder Jack Remus was two for three with a pair of RBIs. Kolton Haupt and Matthew Schoenfuss both hit one for two with a walk and an RBI. Dylan Lewerenz was the losing pitcher.

CRUISING INTO SECOND BASE- Stratford American Legion baseball player Brady Berg slides safely into second base in the top of the first inning during the first game of a road doubleheader on July 1 against Marathon American Legion Post 469. Stratford Legion won the first game, 5-1, but lost the second game, 6-5, to Marathon. STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER