Stratford baseball shuts out Auburndale

Stratford pitcher Lance Heidmann delivers to the plate during the Tigers’ win over Auburndale on Friday. Heidmann tossed three hitless innings to earn the save. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)

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MarshfieldAreaSports.com

STRATFORD – Stratford scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and that proved to be enough as it downed Auburndale 3-0 in a Marawood Conference South Division baseball game Friday.

The game was the Marawood Conference South Division finale for both teams. Stratford is now 13-4 overall and finishes 9-3 and in a second place in the conference. Auburndale falls to 8-7 and ends up 5-7 in the Marawood South.

Stratford held Auburndale to just one hit in the victory, a single from Aaron Willfahrt.

Eli Drexler pitched the four innings to earn the victory and Lance Heidmann picked up the save with three hitless innings for the Tigers.

Dakota Singler, Devyn Palmer and Drexler had RBIs in the first inning for Stratford. Palmer finished 2-for-3.

Auburndale’s tournament schedule for Saturday has been canceled. The Apaches will wrap up their regular-season schedule with nonconference games at Nekoosa on Tuesday and at Athens on Thursday.

Stratford will play nonconference games at home against Athens on Monday and at Pittsville on Thursday.

Both teams open WIAA postseason action with Division 3 regional semifinals May 30 against teams to be determined.

Tigers 3, Apaches 0
Auburndale 000 000 0 – 0 1 2
Stratford 300 000 x – 3 5 2
WP:
Eli Drexler LP: Caleb Weinfurter. SV: Lance Heidmann.
SO: Weinfurter 2; Drexler (4 inn.) 2, Heidmann (3 inn.) 1. BB: Weinfurter 2; Drexler 2, Heidmann 2.
Top hitters: A, Aaron Willfahrt 1×2. ST, Dakota Singer RBI; Devyn Palmer 2×3, RBI; Drexler RBI.
Records: Auburndale 8-7, 5-7 Marawood Conference South Division; Stratford 13-4, 9-3 Marawood South.