Stratford Legion state runners-up
By Casey Krautkramer
Stratford’s American Legion baseball team won the Class A state tournament runners-up trophy on Tuesday night after its 9-8 loss in extra innings to Lomira in Osseo.
Both of Stratford’s losses in the doubleelimination state tournament were to Lomira, which was crowned state champion after beating Stratford on Tuesday night. Stratford played much better against Lomira in the teams’ second matchup by collecting 15 hits on Tuesday night. Stratford only had two hits against Lomira in its 10-0 loss on Saturday.
Second baseman Jack Tubbs led the Stratford Legion squad with four hits in six atbats in Tuesday night’s loss to Lomira. He doubled in the first inning and singled in each of the third, fourth and eighth innings.
An error put Lomira on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Stratford took the lead in the bottom of the first inning on starting pitcher Brady Berg’s two-RBI single. A ground out by Henry Zaleski and a single by Riley Kroening helped Stratford extend its lead in the third inning.
Lomira took the lead in the top of the sixth inning after Jack Luedtke and Connor Steers both had RBI singles. Stratford catcher Jaeger Ormond’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning tied the game at seven runs apiece. Lomira took the lead, 8-7, in the top of the ninth inning on Talan Luedtke’s RBI single against Stratford relief pitcher Vance Kielman.
Shortstop Riley Spindler walked in the bottom of the ninth inning to help Stratford tie the game at eight runs apiece. Jack Luedtke’s RBI single in the top of the 10th inning ended up being the game-winning hit.
Berg, Kroening and Ormond had two RBIs each for Stratford which concluded its summer Legion season with a 16-9 record. Berg, Brady Schmidt, Tubbs and Zaleski were awarded to the state American Legion Class A all-tournament team.
Stratford stayed alive on Tuesday afternoon with an 8-1 win against Viroqua. This game was rescheduled to Tuesday after it was rained out on Monday.
Henry Zaleski earned the complete-game win by striking out eight Viroqua batters while only surrendering six hits and an earned run in the last inning. He didn’t walk anyone. He threw 86 pitches in seven innings.
Stratford got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning after first baseman Brady Schmidt grounded out, scoring one run. Right fielder Jaeger Ormond had a two-RBI single. Stratford added to its lead in the top of the second inning after second baseman Jack Tubbs doubled, and Brady Berg singled, each scoring one run. Stratford padded its 5-0 lead by scoring two runs in the sixth inning and an insurance run in the seventh.
The team had 10 hits against Viroqua. Stratford catcher Brady Berg hit three for four with two RBIs and a run scored. Tubbs batted one for two with a pair of walks and an RBI and run scored.
Stratford enjoyed a thrilling walk-off 2-1 victory against Westby on Sunday. Centerfielder Alec Chapel’s RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning scored Jaeger Or- See STATE TOURNAMENT/ page 12
BRINGING HOME SOME HARDWARE FROM THE STATE TOURNAMENT- Stratford’s American Legion baseball team won the Class A state tournament runner-up trophy on Tuesday night in Osseo. Team members pictured, from left to right, are: Assistant coach Curt Schmidt, head coach Chandler Schmidt, Jack Remus, Drew Gage, Jaeger Ormond, Riley Kroening, Riley Spindler, Brady Berg, Alec Chapel holding the trophy, Vance Kielman, Jack Tubbs, Brady Schmidt, Kolton Haupt, Henry Zaleski and manager Drew Spaeth. Not pictured are Landon Zawislan, Brayden Schwantes, Cayden Leonhardt, Dylan Lewerenz, Timothy Cavadini, Matthew Schoenfuss, Jamis Sweeney, Trygve Aschenbrenner, Christian Rehm and Jaden Weis.
PHOTO BY JENNY CHAPEL State tournament
Continued from page 10
mond for the winning run.
The team got on the scoreboard in the first inning after catcher Brady Berg grounded out, scoring a run. Drew Gage earned the pitching win after striking out six batters while only surrendering three hits and two walks in six innings. Berg pitched the final inning to preserve the victory.
Stratford lost to Lomira 10-0 in five innings on Saturday in the double-elimination state tournament. Stratford’s offense only mustered two hits against Lomira.
Henry Zaleski was the losing pitcher after he surrendered seven hits and three earned runs in three innings. He didn’t strike out or walk any batters. Riley Kroening pitched the last two innings and four of the seven runs scored were charged to him.
Stratford began the state tournament in Osseo on Friday with a 5-0 win against Baldwin.
Brady Schmidt struck out 10 batters while only surrendering two hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. Henry Zaleski struck out two batters while pitching the final 1.1 innings to earn the save.
Stratford got on the board in the first inning when Vance Kielman doubled, scoring three runs. Stratford extended its lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning thanks to RBI singles by Jack Tubbs and Brady Berg. Berg hit a perfect three for three at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
GAME-WINNING CHEST BUMP AGAINST WESTBY- Stratford American Legion baseball catcher Brady Berg (4) chest bumps centerfielder Alec Chapel after his RBI double gave the team a thrilling 2-1 win against Westby on Sunday at the Class A state tournament in Osseo.
PHOTO BY JENNY CHAPEL
