Tigers host Spencer in playoff opener Tuesday

By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

PITTSVILLE — The Stratford baseball team dropped its final regular-season game of the year Thursday, losing a nonconference tilt at Pittsville 4-2.

The game was a final tune-up for both teams heading into the WIAA playoffs next week.

Stratford was held to five hits by three Pittsville pitchers. Cole Hoffman had two of the hits, and Andrew Bargender and Lance Heidmann each had RBIs for the Tigers (14-5).

Jacob Neve and Luke Denniston each had two hits, and Neve drove on two runs for Pittsville (20-4).

Stratford hosts Spencer in a Division 3 regional semifinal May 30, and Pittsville takes on Wisconsin Rapids Assumption in a Division 4 regional semifinal at home.

(Hub City Times Sports Reporter Paul Lecker is also the publisher of MarshfieldAreaSports.com.)

Panthers 4, Tigers 2

Stratford 020 000 0 – 2 5 4

Pittsville 000 103 x – 4 7 3

WP: C. Landphier. LP: Devyn Palmer.

SO: Eli Drexler (0 inn.) 0, Cole Hoffman (3 inn.) 3, Kade Ehrike (2 1/3 inn.) 1, Devyn Palmer (0 inn.) 0, Lucas Heidmann (2/3 inn.) 1; C. Landphier (4 inn.) 1, Dakota Landphier (2 inn.) 5, Brett Peters (1 inn.) 2. BB: Drexler 0, Hoffman 2, Ehrike 0, Palmer 2, Lu. Heidmann 0; C. Landphier 2, D. Landphier 1, Peters 0.

Top hitters: S, Hoffman 2×3; Dakota Singer 2B, run; Andrew Bargender 1×3, RBI; Lance Heidmann RBI. P, Jacob Neve 2×3, 2 RBIs; Luke Denniston 2×3, run.

Records: Stratford 14-5; Pittsville 20-4.