Cardinals hang on to win against Barnstormers

CHATHAM – Stefan Strecker pitched out of a bases loaded jam to preserve the Hamilton Cardinals’ 6-3 win Saturday night in Chatham.

The Cards’ reliever entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a 6-2 lead and three runners on and none out. After striking out Spencer Morin, Strecker allowed Torrin Vaselenak’s run-scoring single to make it a three-run game.

Strecker closed out the game and earned the save by getting a flyout and groundout.

Takaki Eguchi (2-0) was credited with the win after giving up two runs on four hits over 5.1 innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Offensively, Luis Bernardo drove in three runs on two hits, and Zach Marriott had a pair of RBI. Tyler Duncan singled twice and scored, and Brandon Nicholson scored three runs and stole a base.

Hamilton improved to 3-1, while Chatham-Kent dropped to 2-2.

Braxton Haggith had two RBI for the Barnstormers. Aden Ryan (1-1) went six innings and gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts.