SHAPE's Jared Gallegos scores the winning run against Lakenheath during a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Spartans won 6-3 and 6-5. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
SHAPE's Jared Gallegos scores the winning run against Lakenheath during a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Spartans won 6-3 and 6-5. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
SHAPE's Jose Garcia slides safely into third base against Lakenheath's Justin Thomas during a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Lakenheath's Xander Eaglin looks for an out against SHAPE during a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Spartans won 6-3 and 6-5 against the Lancers. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
SHAPE's Jared Gallegos gets a base hit against the Lancers during a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Spartans beat the Lancers in both games. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
SHAPE's Dillion Brewer gets a base hit against Lakenheath in the first game of a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Lakenheath's Matthan Sipili eyes a throw from SHAPE pitcher Jared Gallegos during a high school baseball doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Gallegos pitched five innings and only gave up two base hits. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Lakenheath's Drew Sheldon hits a foul ball against SHAPE during the first game of a doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Lakenheath's Jaxon Tomchesson pitches against SHAPE during the first game of a doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
SHAPE baseball player Anthony Gordon hits a pitch against the Lancers during a high school doubleheader at RAF Feltwell, England, Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Spartans won both games. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
RAF FELTWELL, England ― Lackluster batting led to doubleheader defeats for Lakenheath against SHAPE during a beautifully sunny and breezy Saturday.
SHAPE won 6-3 after five innings in the first game and more narrowly 6-5 after four innings in the second after the game was called for time.
“We came in very motivated but knew that all of the hard work we put into practice was imperative to execute today,” SHAPE coach Tony Gallegos said.
The first game remained scoreless until the top of the third when SHAPE scored five times.
Anthony Gordon was first to cross home plate, followed by teammate Wesley Phelan – thanks to a Lakenheath error.
Three more runners scored as Lancer pitcher Jaxon Tomchesson walked batters with bases loaded and two outs.
Tomchesson finally ended the SHAPE scoring spree by chasing down John Emmert and tagging him out at third base.
Lakenheath scored twice in the bottom of the third and both teams scored once in the fourth.
SHAPE pitcher Jared Gallegos finished the game with two strikeouts and seven walks, while Tomchesson had five strikeouts and eight walks.
The Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the first in the second game.
Lakenheath answered with three runs in the top of the second, with Xander Eaglin first to score.
As the teams entered the fourth, Lakenheath had the lead by one run.
The Spartans went to bat and Jose Garcia tied the game after stealing third base and scoring following a base hit by teammate Dillion Brewer.
Gallegos went on to score the winning run before time expired.
Lakenheath pitchers struck out 11 batters, but the Lancers struggled on offense with only six base hits from the two games.
“They’re going to have to work hard at practice to get consistent contact with the ball,” Lakenheath coach Kelly Stacy said.
Twitter: @Howard_Stripes
