The last grain of sand fell from the hourglass for the John Milledge Academy baseball team this season with a 10-2 loss to Stratford Academy Saturday eliminating them from the Class AAA GISA tournament.

The one seeded Trojans, who advanced to the second round after beating Sherwood Christian was swept by the Eagles in a best of three series following a 6-2 loss on Thursday.

“I am really proud by the way we are playing,” Stratford coach Jeff Treadway said. “Everyone is answering the call. We can win against anyone we play right now.”

Time was against JMA from the first pitch as the Trojans were playing the role of visitors at Trojan Field. Stratford did not make things easier by grabbing a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

After Brian Nicholson and Culby Hinson got on base for the Eagles, Colby Collins helped his own cause as Stratford's starting pitcher plated Nicholson on a base hit. Hinson later scored on a disputed pop fly to JMA short stop, in which junior Blake Thomas failed to maintain control of the ball.

“It was just one of those days,” JMA coach Gary Sanders said. “It wasn’t a lack of effort, the other team just made all of the plays. You have got to hand it to them. You just hate for your last game not to be your best game.”

Playing with their refuse-to-lose attitude the Trojans kept it close scoring two in the top of the second to stay within one run. Jase Stubbs led off the inning with a walk and Scott Herndon followed with a single. After advancing on a pass ball by Stratford, the two would score on an RBI double to right field by Codey Wood.

Collins would stop the Trojans the rest of the game only allowing three more hits throughout the game. Collins ended the game with five strikeouts holding JMA from getting into any sort of rhythm.

“I thought all around we hit the ball but they were all right at them,” JMA senior left fielder Danny White said. “We just couldn’t find the gap. It is tough knowing you got to win but we worked hard and gave them a good run for it.”

The Eagles would break away in the fourth by scoring three runs and confirm their ticket to the semifinals with four runs in the sixth.

“JMA has got a good team; they are no easy task by any means,” Collins said. “It feels nice to get through this series and I look forward to playing next week.”

Stratford was aggressive on the bse path and took nine free bases with the help of strong hitting by their lead off men. The Eagle's top three hitters each had two hits on the afternoon.

The Trojans and their seniors’ season came to a close but it is one not to frown on as the team swept through the region, 6-0, after starting 2-10.

“I thought they improved a great deal as the year went on,” Sanders said. “They are region champions and no one can take that away from them. The seniors won 3 region titles in four years. They have continued to grow as young men on and off the field.”

The team hopes to be involved in tournaments over the summer to prepare the underclassman for next spring.