TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS IN FIRST EBA REGULAR SEASON VICTORY
Clockwise from top left: Mosquito Select Starting Pitcher Zachary (32); Reliever Max (7); Closer Angus (12); and Game MVP Sasha (13).
GAME REPORT BY BRIAN HERMAN & PAUL RENTON & GAME PHOTOS BY GORDON BELRAY
Firing on all cylinders over the course of five innings, the Toronto Playgrounds Mosquito Select team defeated Royal York (2) 14-5 in convincing fashion at Rotary Park this evening for their first win of the EBA regular season.
With a take no prisoners attitude on the diamond, Mosquito Select starting pitcher Zachary (32) set the tone early in the game as he threw two great innings which included a scoreless first while striking out five Royal York batters.
In the top of the second, Zachary helped the team and himself out with a clutch 2 RBI single in the top of the second to give TP a 2-1 lead.
The Royal York 2 batters finally got to Zachary in the bottom of the third as he left with the bases loaded and one out, handing the ball over to TP relief pitcher Max (7) who was able to get out of the inning but not before the Cards had taken 4-2 lead.
TP answered right back with four runs in the top of the fourth. The offensive charge was keyed by Sasha’s (13) opposite field lead-off home run and a two RBI single by Oliver (9) which pushed the Mosquito Selects in front 6-4.
Max (7) pitched a scoreless bottom half of the fourth (highlighted by some nice fielding plays on the mound).
The Mosquito Selects went for the jugular in the top of the fifth as they exploded for eight runs. TP took advantage of five dropped third strike miscues by Royal York 2. Jack (27) delivered a 2 RBI single; Angus (12) had an rbi single; and Zachary drove in another run with a RBI bloop single over the third baseman.
Mosquito Select closer Angus (12) sealed the deal for TP by allowing only one Royal York run in the bottom of the fifth. The final half inning was highlighted by a stellar catch made by Jack (27) in foul territory near first base.
In a euphoric postgame media interview, TP Mosquito Select Coach Brian Herrman said, “Our first victory of the young season was an all round solid team effort featuring great pitching, solid defense, aggressive running and timely hitting.”
The Mosquito Selects (1-1-1) play their next game at home on Sunday, June 3 as they host Royal York 3 at Christie Pits Diamond 3 at 6:30 p.m.
EXTRA INNINGS: Sasha (13) was awarded the game ball with his 5 RBI performance; Honorable mention to Ben (5) for throwing out a Royal York runner on a steal attempt at second for the second out in the bottom of the fourth inning; The start of the game was delayed by thirty minutes as the Royal York Cardinals had gone to the wrong ball park.