FLASHING SOME SOLID DEFENSE, STRONG PITCHING AND MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR OPPORTUNITIES, THE ROYALS GROUND THE GO GO LIZZIES TO EARN THE CROWN JEWELS OF SWEET VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
![Clockwise from top: Royals starter Cormac (8) pitched two solid innings where he allowed only two runs and struck out two Lizzies to pick up the win; In four at bats, John Lee (14) went 1 for 2 [two walks and a double] with two runs scored and 3 RBI's to power the Royals offense; Molly (4) of the Royals went 2 for 2 [two singles, walk, sacrifice hit] at the plate with two runs scored and 2 RBI's.](https://torontoplaygrounds.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/July-21-2014-Peewee-Royals-Lizzies.jpg)
Clockwise from top: Royals starter Cormac (8) pitched two solid innings where he allowed only two runs and struck out two Lizzies to pick up the win; In four at bats, John Lee (14) went 1 for 2 [two walks and a double] with two runs scored and 3 RBI’s to power the Royals offense; Molly (4) of the Royals went 2 for 2 [two singles, walk, sacrifice hit] at the plate with two runs scored and 2 RBI’s.
In a well played affair between two talented teams, the Royals ultimately prevailed for the victory over the Lizzies by using the tried and true formula of strong pitching, solid defense and making the most of their opportunities that were presented to them during the proceedings.
The Royals jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first. After a pair of one out singles by Maxwell (13) and Julian (10), Cormac (8) reached base on a dropped third strike to load the bases. Molly (4) followed with a RBI single to bring home Maxwell for the Royals first run of the game.
Displaying great patience at the plate, Jonathan (19), Hayden (7) and Elise (5) worked the count in their favour to garner consecutive RBI walks to bring Julian, Cormac and Molly homeward bound.
Royals starter Cormac (8) struck out one in the bottom of the first to retire the Lizzies in 1-2-3 fashion and keep them off the scoresheet.
Cormac also received some nice defensive support from his teammates during the inning. Third baseman Molly turned a nifty 5-6 play with shortstop Maxwell to record the second out. Next, Cormac made a nice pickoff throw to first baseman John Lee (14), who threw to shortstop Maxwell at second to complete a nifty 1-3-6 putout on a wayfaring Lizzies base runner for the third out.
In the top of the second, the Royals struck for four more runs to stretch their advantage to 8-0. After a leadoff walk to John Lee, Julian reached base on a one out dropped third strike that also allowed John Lee to motor home with the first run of the frame.
Cormac and Molly earned back to back walks to load the bases. Jonathan would follow with a RBI walk to plate Julian. Hayden would deliver a RBI single to score Cormac. With two outs, John Lee would garner a RBI walk to deliver Molly home.
The Lizzies answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to six. After Evan (14) singled to lead off the inning, Daniel (9) drew a walk to put two runners on base. A series of stolen bases and Royals errors would allow Evan and Daniel to come home to roost.
The Royals defensive prowess shone again during the third. Shortstop Jonathan and second baseman Julian battled the glare of the bright sun to make catches on a pair of high pop ups by the Lizzies.
In the top of the second, Lizzies pitcher Daniel (9) struck out two to keep the Royals off the scoreboard.
Royals reliever Maxwell (13) mowed down a pair of Lizzies in the bottom of the third to keep them off the scoring ledger.
The Royals added four insurance runs in the top of the fourth to increase their advantage to 12-2. After Hayden and Elise led off the frame with back to back walks, John Lee delivered a two RBI double to bring both of them home. Subsequently, John Lee would steal third and come motoring home on an overthrow by the Lizzies catcher.
After a single by Maxwell and a walk to Cormac put two Royals on base, Molly delivered a one out RBI sacrifice hit that allowed Maxwell to blaze homeward.
The Lizzies gamely rallied for four in the bottom of the fourth to trim the margin to 12-6. Haydn (6) and Adam (0) would lead off the inning with a pair of walks to put two Lizzies on base. Haydn would speed homeward from third on a dropped third strike on Stefano (1). With one out, Liam (8) followed with a RBI sacrifice hit that would plate Adam.
On Liam’s sacrifice, the Royals would turn a pretty 6-3 putout when shortstop Cormac scooped up a sizzler and made a laser throw to first baseman Julian, who stretched mightily far to catch the ball in the webbing of his glove to record the second out.
With two outs, Leo (15) would reach base on a dropped third strike and Evan and Daniel followed with consecutive walks to load the bases. Haydn would follow with a clutch two RBI double to deliver Leo and Evan home.
Shaken, but not stirred, Royals pitcher Maxwell grittily recorded his second strikeout of the inning (via two dropped third strikes) to close out the victory.