Published Wednesday, May 07, 2008 10:37 AM
Updated Wednesday, May 07, 2008 10:38 AM

 

Stratford claims district championship over South Florence

The Knights made it seem easy, as they claimed an 11-1 victory over South Florence at home Wednesday afternoon.

Stratford struck early. In the bottom of the second with two men on, Stratford’s Mark Bone hit a single to leftfield, allowing Jeremy Eades to score the first run of the game. Stratford’s Josh Crout complimented Bone’s hit, slamming a double into centerfield to drive in both runners. An error allowed Crout to advance to third.

A single by Kyle Legette drove in Crout to give Stratford a 4-0 lead before the side was retired with a 4-3 double play.

“The team was hitting the ball really well today,” Crout said. “The second inning helped set the tone of the game and gave us an early lead.”

Stratford pitcher Patrick Limehouse kept the Bruins off base in the top of the third, as South Florence went three and out with two groundouts and a strike out.

“The defense was playing very aggressive out there,” Limehouse said. “My arm felt great and I was able to pitch well because I knew the whole team was behind me.”

The bottom of the third didn’t get any better for the Bruins. A single by Limehouse and a stand up double by Aaron Preston put two Stratford runners in scoring position before Mecho Bohren was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A single by Damon Ardis drove in Limehouse and Preston, bringing the score to 6-0.

“The whole team responded well today,” Stratford Head Coach John Chalus said. “We got a big lead before the end of the third by putting the ball in play and by playing small but effective baseball.”

With one out and runners on first and third, a sacrifice fly by Crout allowed Bohren to score before a 1-run single by Legette gave Stratford an 8-run lead and Stratford showed now sign of letting up.

Limehouse, his second at bat for the inning, drove in two more runs before the side was retired.

Limehouse struggled in the fourth, walking the Bruins first two batters. Stratford’s defense backed up their pitcher, taking down two before Limehouse struck out a third to end the top of the inning.

A single by Bohren and a double by Ardis began the bottom of the fourth, putting both runners in scoring position. A pop up to centerfield by Tyler Hill allowed Bohren to get home, bringing the score to 11-0.

South Florence scored their only run in the top of the fifth. Limehouse has four strikeouts with two walks and a hit batter.

“It was a great win for us today,” Chalus said. “We’re always looking forward toward the next game. At this point we will be looking for our seniors to step us and help lead the team, we want our pitching to stay strong and out guys to keep getting hits. Sometimes when you’re this far in the season, it all comes down to a little luck.”

The win set the stage for Stratford to take on Summerville in the first round of the lower state final four on Saturday.