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Stratford Loses Tough One in Extra Innings
Stratford High Baseball traveled up to league power Joel Barlow today & simply played great baseball today. Unfortunately, with the game going extra innings, the home team Joel Barlow was able to punch in the needed run for a walk-off win in the bottom of the 8th. After yielding two walks & two runs in the bottom of the 1st, Soph left-hander Blake Merfalen settled in & threw a masterful game from the 2nd inning through the 7th. Joel Barlow had luck their way in the 8th as an error and a drive to RF almost spectacularly caught by Soph Aiden Gonzalez led to a 1st & 3rd situation that was followed by the game winning hit to LF. All in all, Merfalen in a great outing only threw 88 pitches in his 8 innings of work (such an efficient & economical effort on his part). Stratford’s two runs came in the fifth when Junior Cody Gallant singled, Junior Eli Jimenez doubled, & Junior Evan Wendland came up big with the big blow up the middle to CF for the 2 RBI. Evan Wendland finished with 2 hits as so did Junior Cody Gallant & base hits were also collected by Junior Xavier Lendof & Senior Ethan Hill. On defense, Soph Julian Rivera made a great play at 3B, Junior Evan Wendland was solid manning the bag over at 1B, & Sophs Brayan Fernandez & Jack Wiltsie turned a Major League type 6-4-3 double play. Next up for Stratford - a home date Wednesday versus crosstown rival Bunnell with first pitch scheduled for 4:15. The forecast is calling for very good weather & a great Stratford High crowd !