WITH PASSION, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS BATTLED RIGHT TO THE END AT CHRISTIE PITS
Clockwise from top left to centre: Zachary (32) pitched two solid innings; Jeremy (11) delivers the first TP run of the game; Adam (18) drives in a run; Catcher Ben (5) threw out an Annette baserunner at third; Brian (25) initiated a super double play in the fifth; TP players chillin’ near the dugout; a mound visit; Max (7) muscles an rbi single; Lucas (10) pitched a 1-2-3 scoreless fifth inning.
Underneath beautiful blue skies at Christie Pits Diamond 3 this evening, Annette topped the Toronto Playgrounds Mosquito Select team 12-4 in five innings.
The difference in the game between the two teams was the ability of Annette to make the most of the offensive opportunities presented to them.
Additionally, Toronto Playgrounds fell victim to a top notch starter from Annette. For three innings, Ethan (19) stymied the Mosquito Select offense as he limited TP to only two runs while striking out eight. Ethan also had the fortitude and luck to extricate himself from a couple of jams in the second and third innings.
Over the course of five innings, two Annette pitchers combined to limit TP to four runs, four singles, nine walks while striking out twelve.
Mosquito Select coaches and players observing the proceedings from the third base dugout.
After Annette jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, Toronto Playgrounds went down 1-2-3 in the bottom half as Ethan of Annette struck out the side.
TP starting pitcher Zacahry (32) pitched a solid second inning as he allowed no runs while mowing down two Annette batters.
With two outs in the bottom of the second, the Mosquito Selects had an opportunity to get back in the game as they loaded the bases on a single and two walks. However, Ethan of the A’s struck out the next TP batter to erase the threat.
The Annette offense took advantage of five walks (cobbled together with a double and a single) issued by TP to score five runs in the top of the third to widen their lead to 7-0.
The third inning was highlighted by two great defensive plays made by TP catcher Ben (5). With Matthias (27) of Annette steaming homeward from third on a wild pitch, Ben had the wherewithal to corral the ball and tag the Annette runner out at the plate in a bang bang play.
On the second highlight reel play, Ben had the fortitude to record the second out when he throw a laser strike to third baseman Oliver (9) who promptly applied the tag on Bradley (23) of Annette who was attempting to steal third.
Toronto Playgrounds opened their scoring in the top of third with two runs to cut the deficit to five. Jeremy (11) delivered a clutch rbi single to bring home Oliver (9) with the first run. Angus (12) followed him home on a wild pitch. A promising inning came to a halt when TP was victimized by some confusion on the basepaths.
In the top of the fourth, the Annette offense went for the jugular as they put five runs on the scoreboard to stretch their lead to 12-2. The big hit was a three run triple delivered by Matthias (27) of Annette that closed out the scoring. Matthias was a thorn in the TP gluteus maximus all game long as he went 3 for 3 at the dish with a two doubles and a triple while delivering five runs batted in.
In the bottom of the fourth, TP scored one to trail 12-3. Ben came home on an Annette error.
Toronto Playgrounds held Annette off the scoresheet in the top of the fifth with lefty reliever Lucas (10) spinning his magic on the mound. Lucas was helped out by two super plays by second baseman Brian (25). With Miller (30) of Annette on first, Brian cooly corralled a hot shot up the middle by Cameron (28) of Annette and had the baseball sense to step on second to record a force out.
On the next play, Brian icily fielded a laser shot up the middle hit by Bradley (23) of Annette to initiate a spectacular 4-3 double play to end the top half of the fifth.
Trailing by nine runs, the Mosquito Selects refused to go down without a fight in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Adam (18) delivered a rbi single that brought Lucas (10) homeward bound. TP promptly loaded the bases with two outs. However, Annette closer Owen (35) closed out the win with a strike out.
The Mosquito Selects (2-4-1) play their next game on Sunday, June 17 when they travel to Smythe Park to play York at 6:30 p.m.